Meet the Scientist - Dr Andrew Byrne

I am a Veterinary Epidemiologist (VRO) based in Bacteriology Branch within Veterinary Sciences at AFBI Stormont. Before I go any further, I may have to explain what an epidemiologist is - I was once asked whether it was to do with studying skin! Epidemiology is concerned with analysing the patterns, causes and effects of health conditions and infection on populations.

We use data of various types with quantitative methods to help understand the complexity of disease/infection dynamics, and how these problems might be best managed. In that sense, the science is translational and interdisciplinary in nature.

I started working here at AFBI in 2014 after a post-doctoral research position in the Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (CVERA), Veterinary faculty at University College Dublin. My PhD (from University College Cork) was primarily related to aspects of badger ecology and management in Ireland, and my post-doctoral research developed upon this work to investigate aspects of the species role in the epidemiology of bovine tuberculosis (TB)  in cattle.

While I have broad research interests (see my research-gate profile), my current work focuses primarily on bovine TB epidemiology in cattle and badgers. I am working on projects relating to the characteristics of tests for the detection of infected animals, the epidemiology of concurrent infections and the problems associated with herds with chronic bovine TB problems utilising molecular strain typing data. Through this work, and with collaboration with colleagues, I have also been able to branch out into other research areas on bovine brucellosis, Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) virus, Johne’s Disease (Paratuberculosis), disease surveillance development, anti-microbial resistance (AMR) and liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica).

I have a background in ecology (for example, I have published on a wide range of projects related to wild bees, non-marine molluscs and badger ecology), and have worked collaboratively with people from different disciplines including statisticians, veterinary practitioners and geographers. This background has allowed me to develop trans-disciplinary skills, linking biological problems with analytical solutions – a process I genuinely find exciting and creative.  

I am currently supervising two PhD students registered with Queens University Belfast. Both students are working on bovine TB epidemiology, however from very different perspectives. One project is mainly a field-based investigation looking at the interactions between cattle and wildlife, and to investigate potential indirect transmission between hosts. The second project is a statistics PhD using innovative modelling techniques to explore risk factors and transmission (movement) dynamics within cattle populations within Northern Ireland. The ultimate goal of the project is to develop a dynamic model to assess the contribution of differing risk factors to the maintenance of infection across time and space, and what impacts interventions could have on infection prevalence.  I am also a member of the supervisory panel of a PhD candidate from Colorado State University, looking at disease ecology aspects of badgers and bovine TB in the Republic of Ireland.

I am firm believer that the best science emerges from meaningful collaboration, and I have been lucky to be able to collaborate with colleagues here in AFBI, and other organisations in Ireland, the UK, Canada and the United States. Epidemiology is a collaborative science, often involved in the design, analysis and dissemination of disease-related studies, and I look forward to developing further collaborations here in AFBI, with industry and academia here in Northern Ireland, and beyond, into the future.

Facts about Dr Andrew Byrne:

Can you cook? If so, what is your speciality dish?
Yes, I like to cook – once I have some time on my hands and I am not too hungry!  I guess my speciality would be Thai Green Curry.

What is your favourite book?
“Guns, Germs and Steel” by Jared Diamond is an incredible piece of work. A “Brief History of Time” (Stephen Hawking) made me realise why I work in biological sciences and not physics – great book none the less.

I rarely have read much fiction, but I did go through a phase of reading John Irving books (The World According to Garp, The Cider House Rules etc.), and Catch 22 (Joseph Heller) and Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger) are memorable (though slightly depressing!) pieces of work.

What is your favourite TV/radio show?
Game of Thrones.  I am also a big fan of “School of life” shorts on youtube by the philosopher Alain de Botton.

If you were stuck on a desert island and you could bring 3 things – what would they be?
A motorboat, fuel and a map.

What is the most exciting thing you have ever done?
Sky dive, bungee jumps, paragliding  ... in that order!

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