QMMS - Key Persons
Al qualified from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 2014 and went on to undertake a one-year internship in production animal medicine at the University of Cambridge. He returned to the RVC in 2015 as a bovine resident and graduated with a Masters in veterinary medicine in July 2018. He obtained the Diploma with the European College of Bovine Health Management in 2019 and is a registered European specialist.
Al has a keen interest in mastitis research and data analysis in herd health. He has been part of the team involved with development of TotalVet, and is a trainer for the AHDB Mastitis Control Plan (see Forthcoming Courses).
In his spare time Al enjoys watching sport and spending time in the countryside with his two golden retrievers.
Job Titles:
- Senior Laboratory Technician ( Bacteriology )
Caroline started working for the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) after leaving school and took the opportunity to complete a degree in BioMedical Sciences at University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol whilst working for the VLA. In April 2007 Caroline joined QMMS on a part-time basis and works mainly in bacteriology, but also supports other testing such as ELISA and Fluorophos. Now her children are growing up Caroline has time to enjoy playing hockey, talking to the plants at the allotment and lunch with friends.
Job Titles:
- Research Assistant & Scientific Administrator
Katharine has a degree in Agriculture and a PhD on aspects of cattle lameness, both from the University of Edinburgh. In between these, she spent three years milking cows and lambing sheep. She was involved in the research leading to the (initially MDC) AHDB Dairy Mastitis Control Plan, and then the Healthy Feet Project, working from the University of Bristol with vets and farmers to reduce lameness in dairy herds. After an interlude at the Organic Research Centre, she returned to Somerset, and provides administrative support for the AHDB Dairy Mastitis Control Plan and assistance on the varied research projects carried out at QMMS Ltd.
In her spare time, Katharine enjoys exploring the countryside on foot, bicycle and horseback, and trying to improve in playing the violin.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Laboratory Manager
Emily is responsible for the day to day consistency of the milk recording information, particularly the accuracy and reporting of somatic cell count and compositional data, and is familiar with a wide-range of on-farm computer software.
A dairy farmer's daughter from Somerset, she understands the pitfalls associated with the collection of samples on farm and is able to help you with your queries about the milk recording process. In addition, Emily is involved in collection and storage of data and is responsible for weekly submissions to the laboratory, including MAP ELISA results for Johnes disease monitoring.
In her spare time Emily enjoys archery, clubbing and socialising but only after her own cows have been put to bed!
Emma qualified with a Higher National Diploma in Agriculture from Seale-Hayne in Devon before returning home to run the family dairy farm. Emma joined QMMS in 2014 and brings a wealth of experience from her dairy background, quickly becoming an integral member of the milk recording team. At home she likes to spend as much time as possible with her baby son, go walking with her old farm dog and enjoy the odd spot of mountain biking.
Ian qualified from Bristol University in 2004. He has a solid grounding as a farm vet, having worked for 15 years in several practices in the Southwest and Northwest of England. During recent years he has pursued his interest in study and research in collaboration with Bristol University, and he attained the Diploma of the European College of Bovine Health Management in September 2019. He has a particular interest in data analysis and statistical modelling. He is a European Veterinary Specialist in Bovine Health Management, and a Recognised RCVS Specialist in Cattle Health and Production.
Andrew and his wife Kate (also a vet) founded Quality Milk Management Services in early 2005, with the aim of establishing a laboratory and consultancy service for the dairy industry, focussed on providing a flexible approach that added value to laboratory results.
Andrew qualified from Cambridge Veterinary School in 1993 and after two years in dairy practice returned to University to do a PhD investigating novel approaches to mastitis vaccination. Since gaining his PhD and further clinical qualifications Andrew has been active in mastitis research. As well as being Director of QMMS, Andrew also holds the post of Clinical Reader in Dairy Production Medicine at the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science.
Andrew currently has no spare time - much to Kate and his 3 children's disgust!