Associate Professor Melody de Laat

Associate Professor, Faculty of Science

PhD (University of Queensland), BVSc (Hons) (University of Queensland)

Metabolic diseases are occurring at an increasing rate, and this problem isn't just affecting people. Animals are increasingly obese, and suffering from debilitating problems associated with over-eating. The health and welfare of these animals is a primary concern for Dr. Melody de Laat. As a clinical and research veterinarian with over 18 years experience in both clinical veterinary practice and veterinary research, she is passionate about improving animal health and welfare. Her research interests encompass novel drug development and testing, disorders of metabolism and nutrition, incretin biology, endocrine dysfunction, equine lameness and Australian wild horse health and ecology. Currently, Melody is working on a number of diverse research questions which include: 1) what role do incretins play in equine metabolic disorders; 2) what is the recurrence rate of laminitis; 3) can dynamic feeding systems reduce obesity  and 4) how does insulin cause lameness? Melody and her team of researchers have published extensively on disorders of metabolism and laminitis in horses and her seminal publication on insulin toxicity in horses has been listed by Thomson’s ISI among the top 1% of papers published in the plant and animal sciences category since 2010 and was the most cited article in the journal in 2012. She also received, and completed, a Discovery Early Career Research Award to continue her research into incretin biology. A keen interest in teaching led Melody to become a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. As the Honours coordinator for Biology she enjoys working with, and developing the capabilities of, young researchers. In addition to her research and teaching commitments she is a member of the University Animal Ethics Committee.

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