Animal & Veterinary Sciences

• General Inquiries

Jane worked initially in small animal medicine in private practice and in clinics of the University of Sydney (Camden) and the University of Glasgow, before concentrating on her interests in quantitative epidemiology at the University of Glasgow.

Jane has completed a PhD, using simulation modelling in the area of Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in dogs. Previous areas of research include the epidemiology of Elapid snake envenomation in dogs and specifically the development of diagnostic tests.

Jane's main interest is in infectious disease epidemiology, with particular reference to the potential for zoonotic transfer of pathogens between animals and humans. Jane is also very interested in the development and spread of antimicrobial resistant organisms.

Current areas of research include E.coli O157 supershedding in cattle; identification of non-traditional risk factors for Q Fever exposure; defining the extent  of understanding  of Evidence Based Medicine in students and teachers and identification of neoplastic causes of cattle carcase condemnation.

Jane is an associate member of the Epidemiology Chapter of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists and a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Public Health, in the subspecialty of population medicine.

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Research Interests

• Zoonoses and 'One Health'
• Companion animal epidemiology
• Antimicrobial resistance (in particular MRSA)

Ongoing projects

• Q fever: How common is it and how can we best prevent it? Research to inform vaccine policy for Australia and internationally - (Co-Investigator), Funded by National Health and Medical Research Council. 2013 – 2016.
• E.coli O157 colonisation and shedding in cattle - (Principal Investigator, lead at CSU). Funded by Meat and Livestock Australia. 2010 – 2015. Collaboration with University of Sydney.
• Condemnation of cattle carcases at meat inspection due to malignant neoplasia - (Principal Investigator). Funded by Meat and Livestock Australia. 2010 – 2013.
• Identifying risk factors for Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) exposure. Funded internally by CSU. 2010 – 2013.
• A study of knowledge, attitudes and behavior in the context of food safety risk communication. Funded internally by CSU. 2012 – 2014.

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'Publications

• DI Rendle, E Litchfield, J Heller, KJ Hughes (2013) Investigation of rhythms of secretion and repeatability of plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations in healthy horses and horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Submitted to the Equine Veterinary Journal.
• DI Rendle, F Rutledge, KJ Hughes, J Heller, A Durham (2013) Effects of metformin hydrochloride on blood glucose and insulin responses to oral dextrose in horses. Equine Veterinary Journal. Accepted for publication 23rd January 2013.
• J Heller, KJ Hughes (2013) Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in horses. In Practice 35, 30 - 35.
• J Michelsen, J Heller, F Wills, GK Noble (2012) Effect of surgeon experience on postoperative plasma cortisol and C-reactive protein concentrations after ovariohysterectomy in the dog: a randomised trial. Aus Vet J 90(12), 474 - 478.
• AL Dunn, EA Buffa, AM Marchevsky, J Heller, AP Moores, M Farrell (2012) Inter- and intra-operator variability associated with extracapsular suture tensioning. An ex vivo study. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 25(6), 472 - 477.
• J Heller (2011) Meticillin-resistant staphylococci in companion animals. The Vet Rec. 169, 68-69.
• M Farrel, A Mathieson, P Chung, J Heller, SP Clarke, MK McDonald, A Cardoni (2011) In vitro performance testing of two arcuate oscillating saw blades designed for use during tibial plateau leveling osteotomy. Vet Surg.40(6), 694 – 707.
•  J Heller, GT Innocent, M Denwood, SWJ Reid, LA Kelly, DJ Mellor (2011). Assessing the probability of acquisition of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a dog using a nested stochastic simulation model and logistic regression sensitivity analysis. Preventive Veterinary Medicine. 99(2-4): 211-224.
• MEJ Woolhouse, EM Fevre, I Handel, J Heller, MJ Tildesley, T Parkin, SWJ Reid (2011). Guide to Good Practice for Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology. http://www.qve-goodpracticeguide.org.uk/
• M Kiupel, J Webster, R Miller, KL Bailey, S Best, J DeLay, CJ Detrisac, D Gamble, PE Ginn, MH Goldschmidt, MJ Hendrick, EW Howerth, EB Janovitz, SD Lenz, TP Lipscomb, E Miller, W Misdorp, S Moroff, I Neyens, D O'Toole, J Ramos-Vara, T Scase, Y Schulman, K Smith, P Snyder, E Southorn, NL Stedman, BA Steficek, PC Stromberg, VE Valli, SE Weisbrode, J Yager, J Heller, R Miller (2010). Proposal of a 2-tier histologic grading system for canine cutaneous mast cell tumors to more accurately predict biological behavior. Veterinary Pathology. 48(1): 147-155
• S Sbrana, PD Eckersall, J Heller, V Marchetti, L Bence, D Bennett (Submitted for publication). Acute-phase protein concentrations in serum and synovial fluid from dogs with osteoarthritis. The Vet Record.
• S Sbrana, A Pasquinin, V Marchetti, E Luchetti, J Heller, D Bennett (Submitted for publication). Reactive oxygen species and antioxidant potential in plasma and synovial fluid from arthritic dogs.  Veterinary Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology.
• J Webster, M. Dennis, N Dervisis, J Heller, NJ Bacon, PJ Bergman, D Bienzle, G Cassali, M Castagnaro, J Cullen, G Esplin, LLP Fernandez, MH Goldschmidt, KA Hahn, CJ Henry, E Hellmén, D Kamstock, C Khanna, J Kirpensteijn, BE Kitchell, RL Amorim, SD Lenz, TP Lipscomb, M McEntee, LD McGill, PM McManus, AS Moore, PF Moore, SD Moroff, H Nakayama, N Northrup, G Sarli, T Scase, K Sorenmo, Y Schulman, R Smedley, WL Spangler, E Teske, DH Thamm, VE Valli, W Vernau, H von Euler, SJ Withrow, SE Weisbrode, J Yager, M Kiupel (2010) Recommended guidelines for the conduct and evaluation of prognostic studies in veterinary oncology.  Veterinary Pathology. 48(1): 7-18.
• DE Sheahan, R Bell, RJ Mellanby, AG Gow, E Friend, J Heller, LM Bence, D Eckersall (2010). Acute phase protein concentrations in canine nasal disease. The Vet Record. 167(23):895-899. DOI 10.1136/vr.c5928
• J Heller, LA Kelly, SWJ Reid, DJ Mellor (2010). Qualitative risk assessment of the acquisition of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in pet dogs. Risk Analysis. 30(3): 458-472. DOI 10.1111/j.1539-6924.2009.01342.x
• R Reardon, R Bailey, J Walmsley, J Heller, C Lischer (2009). A pilot in vitro biomechanical comparison of locking compression plate fixation and kerf-cut cylinder fixation for ventral fusion of fourth and fifth equine cervical vertebrae. Veterinary Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 22(5):371-9. DOI 10.3415/VCOT-08-10-0101
• J Heller, SK Armstrong, EK Girvan, SWJ Reid, A Moodley, DJ Mellor (2009). Prevalence and distribution of Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) within the environment and staff of a university veterinary clinic. Journal of Small Animal Practice Apr;50(4):168-73. DOI 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2008.00695.x
• DI Rendle, J Heller, KJ Hughes, GT Innocent and AE Durham (2009). Stability of common biochemistry analytes in equine blood stored at room temperature.  Equine Veterinary Journal May 41(5): 428-432. DOI 10.2746/042516409X370928
• A Zoia, LA Slater, J Heller, DJ Connolly, DB Church (2009). A new approach to pleural effusion in cats: markers for distinguishing tansudates from exudates. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, October; 11(10): 847-855.
• T Geraghty, S Love, D Taylor, J. Heller, D. Mellor, K. Hughes (2009)  Assessment of subclinical catheter-related venous diseases in horses and associated risk factors.  Veterinary Record., Feb 21;164(8):227-31.
• T Geraghty, S Love, D Taylor, J Heller, D Mellor, K Hughes (2009). Assessing techniques of disinfecting sites for insertion of intravenous catheters into the jugular veins of horses. Veterinary Record, Jan 10;164(2): 51-5.
• D Draffan, D Clements, J Heller, D Bennett, S Carmichael (2009).  The role of Computed Tomography in the classification and management of pelvic fractures. Veterinary Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 22(3):190-7.
• D Draffan, I Carrera, J Heller, S Carmichael, G Hammond (2009). Radiographic analysis of trochlear notch sclerosis in the diagnosis of osteoarthritis secondary to medial coronoid disease.  Veterinary Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 22(1):7-15.
• RJM Reardon, BSL.Fraser, J Heller, C Lischer, T Parkin, BM Bladon (2008). The use of race winnings, ratings and a performance index to assess the effect of thermocautery of the soft palate for treatment of horses with suspected intermittent dorsal displacement. A case-control study in 110 racing Thoroughbreds. Equine Veterinary Journal, 40(5): 508-513.
• J Heller, DJ Mellor, JL Hodgson, DR Hodgson, SWJ Reid and KL Bosward (2007).  Elapid snake envenomation in dogs in New South Wales: a review.  Australian Veterinary Journal, 85(11): 469-479. 
• J Heller, KL Bosward, DR Hodgson and R Pottie (2006). Anuric renal failure in a dog after red-bellied black snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus) envenomation. Australian Veterinary Journal, 84(5):158-62.
• CSS Goh, DR Hodgson, SM Fearnside, J Heller and N Malikides (2005). Sodium monofluoroacetate (Compound 1080) poisoning in dogs. Australian Veterinary Journal, 83(8):474-9.
• J Heller, KL Bosward, JL Hodgson, F Cole, DR Hodgson, SWJ Reid and DJ Mellor (2005). Snake envenomation in dogs in New South Wales. Australian Veterinary Journal, 83(5):286-92
• J Heller and GB Hunt (2002). Clinical Applications of the Omentum in Dogs and Cats.  Australian Veterinary Practitioner, 32(2): 66-73.

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International presented posters, oral communications, conference papers

• J. Heller. Evidence based medicine in undergraduate teaching. Australian Veterinary Association Annual Conference, Adelaide, Australia, May 2011.
• J. Heller, S.W.J. Reid, D.J. Mellor. Ask the expert: Difficulty in expert estimation of transmission of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) between the environment, pets and humans. The 1st International One Health Congress, Melbourne, Australia, February 2011.
• J. Heller, S. Gorman, E. Ward, S.W.J. Reid, D.J. Mellor. Does food represent an independent source of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) for pet dogs? The 1st International One Health Congress, Melbourne, Australia, February 2011. (Poster).
• J. Heller, S. Bierbaum, B. Hyden, E. Ward, S.W.J. Reid, D.J. Mellor. Defining interactions between humans and pet dogs. The 1st International One Health Congress, Melbourne, Australia, February 2011. (Poster).
• J. Heller, S.W.J. Reid, L.A. Kelly, G.I. Innocent, D.J. Mellor.  MRSA in pet dogs: does risk assessment tell us the full story? Society for Risk Analysis (ANZ) Annual conference, Sydney, Australia, September 2010
• J. Heller, S.W.J. Reid, L.A. Kelly, G.I. Innocent, D.J. Mellor. MRSA in pet dogs: is risk assessment the answer?  Australian College of Veterinary Scientists, Science week conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, July 2010
• J. Heller. Zoonoses: The medical cost of the human-animal relationship.  Invited talk, Public Health Update Series, University of NSW Rural Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, June 2010.
• J. Heller, G. Innocent G, L.A. Kelly, S.W.J. Reid and D.J. Mellor.  Comparison of sensitivity analysis techniques for a simulation-based risk assessment model.  12th International Symposium for Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Durban, South Africa, August 2009.
• J. Heller, S.W.J. Reid and D.J. Mellor.  An expert opinion exercise to define input variables for a quantitative risk assessment of acquisition of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in dogs.  12th International Symposium for Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Durban, South Africa, August 2009 (Poster).
• J Heller, EM Fevre, DJ Mellor and RF Heller.  A call for a veterinary public health component to the Peoples Open Access Education Initiative: Peoples-Uni.  12th International Symposium for Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Durban, South Africa, August 2009 (Poster).
• J Heller, GT Innocent, LA Kelly, SWJ Reid and DJ Mellor. Quantitative assessment for the acquisition of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in dogs.  Proceedings of the Society for Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, London, April 2009.
• J Heller, EM Fevre, DJ Mellor and RF Heller.  A call for a veterinary public health component to the Peoples Open Access Education Initiative: Peoples-Uni.  Society for Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, London, April 2009 (Poster).
• Invited presentation at the University of Liverpool “A risk assessment approach to meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in pet dogs”, February 2009.
• TE Geraghty, S Love, D Taylor, J Heller, DJ Mellor and KJ Hughes. Assessment of sub-clinical catheter-related disease in horses. Proceedings of the 9th Colic Symposium, Liverpool 18th June 2008
• GT Innocent, K Jermyn, M Sullivan and J Heller. What can artificial neural networks tell us about how diagnoses are made? – Association of Veterinary Teachers and Research Workers annual meeting, Scarborough, March 2008
• J Heller, LA Kelly, SWJ Reid and DJ Mellor. Scoping the problem: A scoping study of Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonisation in dogs.– Association of Veterinary Teachers and Research Workers annual meeting, Scarborough, March 2008.
• J Heller, LA Kelly, SWJ Reid and DJ Mellor. Limitations of a qualitative risk assessment framework for MRSA colonisation in dogs. – Society of Veterinary Epidemiology and Population Medicine Annual conference, Liverpool, March 2008. (Poster)
• DJ Mellor, J Heller and E Courcier. N of 1: be your own researcher – the role of practitioners in developing new diagnoses and therapies. BSAVA Congress, Birmingham, UK, April 2008.
•  DJ Mellor, E Courcier and J Heller. Helping owners decide on therapy: Making a prognosis. BSAVA Congress, Birmingham, UK, April 2008.
• J Heller, SK Armstrong, D Morrison, SWJ Reid, A Moodley, DJ Mellor. ‘Prevalence and distribution of MRSA within the environment and staff of a university small animal veterinary clinic.’  The control and prevention of zoonosis – from science to policy, Glasgow, UK, November 2007.
• J Heller. It’s me and/or the dog! - MRSA in pets and people - VTRI science into policy workshop, Edinburgh, October 2007
• J Heller, B Hyden, S Bierbaum, SWJ Reid, DJ Mellor. ‘It’s me or the dog – A questionnaire study of canine-human interactions in Scotland.’  European College of Veterinary Public Health Annual Conference, Helsinki, December 2007. (Poster)
• J Heller, LA Kelly, DJ Mellor, SWJ Reid. ‘A risk assessment approach to the problem of Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonisation in dogs.’  Finalist, Vetoquinol award, University of Glasgow, June 2007.
• J Heller, KL Bosward, JL Hodgson, SWJ Reid, DR Hodgson, DJ Mellor. ‘Canine snake envenomation in New South Wales – development of adjunctive diagnostic tests.’ International Symposium on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics (ISVEE) XI, Cairns, Australia, August 2006.
• J Heller, KL Bosward, JL Hodgson, FL Cole, SWJ Reid, DR Hodgson, DJ Mellor. ‘An epidemiological study of snake envenomation in dogs in New South Wales, Australia.’ International Symposium on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics (ISVEE) XI, Cairns, Australia, August 2006. (Poster)
•  J Heller, KL Bosward, SWJ Reid, DR Hodgson, JL Hodgson, DJ Mellor. Diagnostic testing and its application to clinical scenarios.’ Association of Veterinary Teachers and Research Workers annual meeting, Scarborough, UK, March 2006.
• J Heller, KL Bosward, JL Hodgson. ‘An epidemiological study of snake envenomation in dogs in New South Wales’.  Australian College of Veterinary Scientists College Week Conference, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, June 2004. 
• J Heller. ‘Canine snake envenomation in New South Wales – development of adjunctive diagnostic testing procedures’ Faculty of Veterinary Science Fourth Annual Postgraduate Research Conference, University of Sydney, Sydney Australia, 2004. – Awarded prize
• J Heller. ‘Canine snake envenomation in New South Wales’ – Seminar for Macarthur region private practitioners. Camden, Australia, 2004.
• J Heller. ‘Snake bite in dogs in New South Wales’ - Faculty of Veterinary Science Third Annual Postgraduate Research Conference, University of Sydney, Sydney Australia, 2003.

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