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.

Teaching

• MI2011: Microbial Ecology (Level 2; TSV)
• MI2031: Diagnosis of Bacterial Diseases in Aquaculture (Level 2; TSV)
• MI3031: Diagnosis of Viral Disease in Aquaculture (Level 3; TSV)
• MI5003: Diagnosis of Bacterial Diseases in Aquaculture (Level 5; TSV)
• MI5031: Diagnosis of Viral Disease in Aquaculture (Level 5; TSV)

Interests

Professional

• Since early 2020, I have enjoyed the role of Associate Dean of Research Education in the CPHMVS. I am a member of two Australian Government boards for Aquatic Animal Health and Biosecurity. I am also a founding member and the Australian representative on the board of the Global Ranavirus Consortium and received an Outstanding Leadership and Service Award in 2019. My work across cultures and stakeholders around turtle health research, earned me the Excellence in Community Engagement award for my Contribution and Commitment to JCU's Strategic Intent in 2019.

Research

• My interest in Aquatic Animal Health is centred round Biosecurity for aquaculture (food security and livelihood) and wildlife (environmental impacts). My interest and expertise in virology has allowed me to explore both commercial directions of aquatic epidemiology, but also the health and welfare of sea turtles and freshwater turtles. I received the College award for Research Excellence in Biomedicine in 2018.

Teaching

• In response to Aquaculture industry needs, I created 2 subjects: MI2031/MI5003: Diagnosis of Bacterial Diseases in Aquaculture and MI3031/5031: Diagnosis of Viral Diseases in Aquaculture, and rolled them out for the first time in 2020. Post graduate research and placement students make up the biggest proportion of my teaching these days. Since 2018, I have completed 7 PhDs as primary advisor, 10 MSc minor projects, 15 professional placements, 5 internships and 38 veterinary students on rotation. I received the JCU Primary Advisor of the Year Award in 2019.

Experience

• 2019 to present - Associate Dean of Research, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University (Townsville, Australia)
• 2019 to present - University Representative for Australia and New Zealand. Sub-Committee for Aquatic Animal Health, Australian Government (Australia)
• 2018 to present - Scientific Advisory Committee, Aquatic Animal Health Subprogram, Fisheries Research and Development Council (Australia)
• 2018 to present - Senior Laboratory Scientist. AquaPath, James Cook University (Townsville, Australia)
• 2016 to present - Associate Professor Virology, James Cook University (Townsville, Australia)
• 2009 to present - Team leader for the Turtle Health Research Group at the Vet School. Involving many colleagues, postgraduate students, undergraduates and interns, James Cook University (Townsville, Australia)
• 2005 to 2008 - Coordinator of RANA Risk assessment of new and emerging systemic iridoviral diseases for European fish and aquatic ecosystems., European Community (Denmark, Europe)
• 2003 to 2008 - Policy Advisor to Commission Decisions related to control of diseases in Aquatic Animals, European Community (Bruxelles, Europe)
• 1997 to 2008 - Expert on international audits of Third Countries, European Food and Veterinary Office (Global audits)
• 1997 to 2008 - Coordinator of the Reference Laboratory for Fish Diseases in European Community, European Community (Denmark, Europe)
• 2004 to 2007 - Steering group Member. PANDA Permanent Advisory Network for Diseases in Aquacultue., European Community (Denmark, Europe)
• 2005 to 2006 - Danish Representative on Comparative Risk Profile of Fish Diseases in the Nordic Countries, Danish Veterinary Institute (Denmark, Europe)
• 1993 to 1997 - PhD Aquatic Pathology, Department of Biomedical and Tropical Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia. Thesis title: Pathogenesis and Serological Assessment of Bohle Iridovirus Infections in Aquatic Reptiles. (Townsville, Australia)

Research Disciplines

• Veterinary sciences (3009)
• Environmental management (4104)

Socio-Economic Objectives

• Coastal and estuarine systems and management (1802)
• Marine systems and management (1805)

Awards

• 2019 - Primary Advisor of the Year, James Cook University
• 2019 - Excellence in Community Engagement. Contribution and Commitment to JCU's Strategic Intent. Awarded by JCU
• 2019 - Outstanding Leadership and Service Award on the Global Ranavirus Consortium Board.
• 2018 - Outdoor Turtle Nursery Facility – Multiple Donors $81.500
• 2018 - Research Excellence in Biomedicine. Awarded by the College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University
• 2016 - Excellence in Teaching Award. Veterinarians in Education Research and Academia. Australian Veterinary Association.
• 2016 - Purpose built Turtle Health Research Facility – Multiple Donors $198.000.
• 2015 - JCU Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning
• 2014 - JCU Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning
• 2015 to 2016 - JCU grant: $ 2000. Research partnerships beyond the University: Research and teaching nexus in the field. https://youtu.be/fBaFs0mPLvE
• 2005 to 2008 - Coordinator of the RANA project. 1.6M € project with 6 international partners. Risk assessment of new and emerging systemic iridoviral diseases for European fish and aquatic ecosystems
• 2004 to 2007 - Steering Group Member for the PANDA project (Permanent Advisory Network for Diseases in Aquaculture) which cooperated with over 400 scientists to seek policy advise for the European Commission.

Fellowships

• 2013 - Australian representative on the Board of the Global Ranavirus Consortium
• 2005 - Honorary position as Senior Consultant of the Inspection and Quarantine Technology Center, Lianyungang Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of P.R. China.
• 2003 to 2007 - Editor in Chief for the Journal: the European Association of Fish Pathologist (EAFP) Bulletin

Memberships

• 2019 - Member of the Sub-Committee for Aquatic Animal Health, as the representative for Australian / New Zealand Universities. (Australian Government)
• 2018 - Member of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Aquatic Animal Health and Biosecurity Subprogram. FRDC. (Australian Government)
• 2017 - Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine
• 2015 - American Fisheries Society
• 2012 - Wildlife Health Australia. Australian Universities Focus Group.
• 2011 - Centers of Excellence: Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture
• 2011 - Centers of Excellence: TropWATER - Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research
• 2003 - Asian Fisheries Society
• 2013 to 2021 - Australian representative on the Global Ranavirus Consortium Board.
• 2008 - Expert on panel for fish health and welfare under European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

Other

• 2013 to 2021 - Human Ethics Monitor at the School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
• 2002 to 2020 - Expert and Reader for the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) on the Aquatic Animal Code and Manual on ranaviral diseases of fish and amphibians
• 2005 to 2008 - Expert in audits of 3rd countries for the EC Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) for approval to export live and processed fish into the EU

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

• Diggins R, Grimm J, Mendez D, Jones K, Hamann M, Bell I and Ariel E (2023) Confirmed feasibility of a satellite tracker attachment method on small juvenile hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 704. pp. 119-130
• Kophamel S, Ward L, Ariel E, Mendez D, O'Brien L, Burchell L and Munns S (2023) A Standardized Protocol for Measuring Bioelectrical Impedance in Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas). Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 96 (2). pp. 87-99
• Okoh G, Ariel E, Wirth W, Whitmore D and Horwood P (2023) Molecular detection of novel herpesviruses and adenoviruses in two species of Australian freshwater turtles. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 69.
• Okoh G, Lockhart M, Grimsey J, Whitmore D, Ariel E, Butler J and Horwood P (2023) Development of subfamily-based consensus PCR assays for the detection of human and animal herpesviruses. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 42 (6). pp. 741-746
• Shum E, Benham C, Jones K and Ariel E (2023) Understanding people who volunteer with marine turtles: motives and values for engagement in conservation. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 28 (3). pp. 199-217
• Wilkinson A, Ariel E, van de Merwe J and Brodie J (in press) Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) Blood and Scute Trace Element Concentrations in the Northern Great Barrier Reef. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry,
• Wirth W, Forzan M, Schwarzkopf L and Ariel E (2023) Pathogenesis of Bohle iridovirus infection in Krefft's freshwater turtle hatchlings (Emydura macquarii krefftii). Veterinary Pathology, 60 (1). pp. 139-150
• Diggins R, Burrie R, Ariel E, Ridley J, Olsen J, Schultz S, Pettett-Willmett G, Hemming G and Lloyd J (2022) A review of welfare indicators for sea turtles undergoing rehabilitation, with emphasis on environmental enrichment. Animal Welfare, 31 (2). pp. 219-230
• Jones K, Limpus C, Brodie J, Jones R, Read M, Shum E, Bell I and Ariel E (2022) Spatial distribution of fibropapillomatosis in green turtles along the Queensland coast and an investigation into the influence of water quality on prevalence. Conservation Science and Practice, 4 (8).
• Kophamel S, Ward L, Konovalov D, Mendez D, Ariel E, Cassidy N, Bell I, Balastegui Martínez M and Munns S (2022) Field?based adipose tissue quantification in sea turtles using bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy validated with CT scans and deep learning. Ecology and Evolution, 12.
• Kophamel S, Rudd D, Ward L, Shum E, Ariel E, Mendez D, Starling J, Mellers R, Burchell R and Munns S (2022) Haematological and biochemical reference intervals for wild green turtles (Chelonia mydas): a Bayesian approach for small sample sizes. Conservation Physiology, 10 (1).
• Kophamel S, Illing B, Ariel E, Difalco M, Skerratt L, Hamann M, Ward L, Méndez D and Munns S (2022) Importance of health assessments for conservation in noncaptive wildlife. Conservation Biology, 36 (1).

More

ResearchOnline@JCU stores 95+ research outputs authored by Prof Ellen Ariel from 2005 onwards.

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

• Assessment of the Ecological Risk of Emerging Contaminants Released from the Cleveland Bay Purification Plant (CBPP) (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• A historical occurrence of PMMS and strain: Variation in black tiger shrimp in Australian Aquaculture. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
• Assessment of the ecological risk of emerging Antibiotic Resistance released from the Cleveland Bay Purification Plant on marine Testudine species. (PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
• Release on good behaviour: Measuring and assessing naturalistic behaviour of juvenile hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) released into the wild after a period under human care (PhD , Advisor Mentor)
• Studies of Bellinger River Virus (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

Completed

• Sea turtles disease risk analysis and discovery of the first Australian green turtle (Chelonia mydas) papillomavirus (2019, PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Characterisation of ranaviral infection and its management in Australian lizards (2019, PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Environmental influences on the epidemiology of fibropapillomatosis in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and consequences for management of inshore areas of the Great Barrier Reef (2019, PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Ranaviral infection in Australian freshwater turtles (2020, PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Management of Betanodavirus infection in Queensland giant grouper, Epinephelus lanceolatus (Bloch) (2020, PhD , Primary Advisor/AM/Adv)
• Investigating potential co-factors of Fibropapillomatosis development in Chelonia mydas of the Great Barrier Reef (2021, PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Gut bacterial communities in healthy and compromised green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and an alternative treatment for gastrointestinal disorders (2018, PhD , Primary Advisor)
• Discovery of Herpesviruses and other Potential Pathogenic Viruses in Australian Wildlife (2023, PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)
• Bioelectrical impedance analysis for adipose tissue estimation in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) (2022, PhD , Secondary Advisor/AM)

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.