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Meet The Team
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Cosmin Chintoan-Uta
Technical Manager
Cosmin graduated as a vet in 2010 from the University of Bristol, and followed his veterinary degree with an MSc by research in veterinary parasitology and a PhD on the development of vaccines against Campylobacter in chickens. He has extensive experience of laboratory and in vivo research on poultry infectious diseases and microbiological food safety. Outside of work he enjoys hiking with his dogs, gardening, mountain-biking, and more recently dabbling in taxidermy.
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Sam Searle
Laboratory Supervisor
Sam has a master’s degree in biomedical science and over 10 years of managerial experience, having previously worked in hospitality. She joined our laboratory team in 2021, and worked as a scientist and quality manager before progressing to laboratory supervisor. She enjoys spending her free time with her family and going travelling.
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Suzanna Arnot
Quality Manager and Senior Scientist
After graduating from Dundee University in 2020 with a degree in biological sciences, Suzanna worked in a food safety laboratory. She joined us in 2021 as a scientist, and has since been promoted to quality manager.
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Ben Markham
Senior Scientist
After graduating from the University of York with a degree in biology and gaining experience at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science in Weymouth, Ben joined Poultry Health Services in 2018. In his own time, he is a keen amateur photographer and something of a video game connoisseur.
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Julie Walker
Scientist
Julie has a HNC in applied biology, with a distinction in microbiology, and joined Poultry Health Services in 2020. She began her career as a food microbiologist before joining APHA, where she worked on the identification of microorganisms pathogenic to animals.
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Kitty Locker
Scientist
Kitty studied archaeology at the University of York, and her degree course focused on animals in archaeology and prehistory. Her dissertation project explored the development of commensalism in house mice in neolithic Europe. In her free time, she enjoys creative writing and drawing, as well as spending time with her two cats.
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Ben Blackley
Scientist
Ben graduated from the University of Glasgow in 2020 with a degree in biochemistry, and later obtained a master’s degree in advanced biochemistry. He joined the Newbridge Scientific laboratory team in 2023 as a trainee scientist, and enjoys reading books, playing video games, and spending time with friends and family.
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Erin Duffy
Practice Manager
Erin graduated from the University of Stirling in 2022 with a degree in animal biology, and joined our team as a lab technician the following year. Her favourite pastimes include reading, scuba diving and going to concerts.
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Austin Bannister
Scientist
Austin joined our lab team in 2023 as a lab technician, shortly after completing his degree in applied bioscience. When he’s not working or volunteering at local zoos, he enjoys painting and other artistic activities.