Ellen Ariel

Dr Ellen Ariel is Associate Professor in the College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences with a special interest in Aquatic Animal Health.

Ellen has a background with the European Commission as Coordinator of the 25 National Reference Laboratories for Fish Diseases in the European Union. The overall focus was on biosecurity of aquatic animals, especially aquaculture, and standardizing and harmonizing diagnostic capacity across borders to prevent spread of disease and facilitate safe trade in live fish. She was also heavily involved in harnessing and delivering scientific advice to policy makers as well as assessing and advising research directions in the EU Aquatic Animal Disease sector.

Ellen’s interest in Aquatic Animal Health has influenced her undergraduate teaching is centered on diagnostic techniques for bacterial and viral diseases in aquaculture. Ellen’s team of higher degree research students, interns and placement students focus mostly on sea turtle health. Her expertise has been a conduit for membership on one international and three national boards concerned with biosecurity of aquaculture and wild aquatic species.

The Turtle Health Research Facility, The Caraplace, is housing the Turtles and the Team of volunteers and researchers. This group is active in creating awareness around turtle health via the media, PhD and Masters graduates, peer-reviewed publications and the release of turtle inhabitants back on the Great Barrier Reef.