Dr Lee McMichael
Dr

Lee McMichael

Email: 

Background

My research has focused on molecular studies of pathogens, disease syndromes and health of Australian wildlife and domestic species. Particular research interests include the study of emerging and novel viral infections and syndromes of Australian bat species, being awarded the School of Veterinary Science, Award for Outstanding Contribution to Research in 2023. I am passionate about my undergraduate teaching in the discipline of animal genetics and genomics and my supervision and mentorship of Higher Degree Research students, being awarded the School of Veterinary Science, Helen Keates Developing Teacher Award, and Higher Degree Research Supervision Excellence Award in 2022. I mentor my students in developing their molecular biology skills in a diverse range of project areas, from molecular detection and characterisation of pathogens with zoonotic potential in wildlife and companion animals, characterisation of novel viruses of wildlife with potential wildlife health and conservation impacts and gene expression analyses in disease of companion animals.

Availability

Dr Lee McMichael is:
Not available for supervision

Fields of research

Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences Veterinary epidemiology Veterinary sciences Veterinary virology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland
  • Masters (Coursework), The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Overview

    Dr McMichael's research focuses on molecular studies of emerging viruses with veterinary health, zoonotic and conservation implications; investigation of health biomarkers and gene expression analyses in disease of companion animals with translational outputs; and threatening disease syndromes of Australian wildlife species with a particular focus on threatened Australian bat species.

  • Pathogenic threats to Australian Pteropus (flying fox) species

    Generously supported by the Australian Bat Society, the Keith Mackie Lucas student scholarship, SVS Philanthropic Funds, and in collaboration with Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory.

  • Tick paralysis in the endangered Spectacled flying fox

    Generously supported by NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) and the Department of Environment and Science Threatened Species Research Grant Program, in collaboration with the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) and the Tolga Bat Hospital.

  • Tick borne pathogens

    Generously supported by Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, in collaboration with QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.

  • Cleft palate syndrome in the endangered Spectacled flying fox

    Generously supported by Wildlife Health Australia (WHA), Morris Animal Foundation Veterinary Student Scholar Program, and in collaboration with the Tolga Bat Hospital, James Cook University and the University of Missouri.

Research impacts

Dr McMichael's research into the epidemiology of Hendra virus in its Australian reservoir flying fox host has contributed to establishing risk management policies at Queensland state government levels. Her continuing research into emerging viruses in Australian bats has lead to the discovery and characterision a number of novel viruses with potential wildlife health and conservation implications. Dr McMichael works collaboratively with Biosecurity Queensland (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries), and several Australian universities, inclusive of Griffith University, University of Southern Queensland, James Cook University and Macquarie University as part of her research into emerging infectious diseases. Dr McMichael also has ongoing collaborations with wildlife research organisations, in particular the University of Queensland Hidden Vale Teaching and Research Centre and the Tolga Bat Rehabilitation and Research Organisation, in undertaking conservation orientated research in Australian endangered species, particularly the mahogany glider and spectacled flying fox.

Search Professor Lee McMichael’s works on UQ eSpace

58 works between 1999 and 2024
All (58) Journal Article (35) Conference Publication (18) Other Outputs (5)

1 - 20 of 58 works

Featured

2023

Journal Article

Presence of multiple herpesvirus variants in Australian flying foxes (Pteropus Spp.)

Sullivan, Jennifer, Huth, Lauren, Meers, Joanne and McMichael, Lee (2023). Presence of multiple herpesvirus variants in Australian flying foxes (Pteropus Spp.). Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 59 (2), 453-459. doi: 10.7589/JWD-D-22-00082

Presence of multiple herpesvirus variants in Australian flying foxes (Pteropus Spp.)

Featured

2023

Journal Article

Bats or rodents, who started it? Short history of the gibbon ape leukemia virus-koala retrovirus clade.

Mottaghinia, Saba, McMichael, Lee and Meers, Joanne (2023). Bats or rodents, who started it? Short history of the gibbon ape leukemia virus-koala retrovirus clade.. Technical Reports of the Australian Museum Online, 38, 15-18. doi: 10.3853/j.1835-4211.38.2023.1834

Bats or rodents, who started it? Short history of the gibbon ape leukemia virus-koala retrovirus clade.

Featured

2023

Journal Article

A new DNA extraction method (HV-CTAB-PCI) for amplification of nuclear markers from open ocean-retrieved faeces of an herbivorous marine mammal, the dugong

Ooi, Vicky, McMichael, Lee, Hunter, Margaret E., Kamla, Aristide Takoukam and Lanyon, Janet M. (2023). A new DNA extraction method (HV-CTAB-PCI) for amplification of nuclear markers from open ocean-retrieved faeces of an herbivorous marine mammal, the dugong. PLoS One, 18 (6) e0278792, 1-29. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278792

A new DNA extraction method (HV-CTAB-PCI) for amplification of nuclear markers from open ocean-retrieved faeces of an herbivorous marine mammal, the dugong

Featured

2023

Journal Article

Cleft palate syndrome in the endangered spectacled flying fox (Pteropus conspicillatus): implications for conservation and comparative research

McMichael, Lee, Mclean, Jennefer, Taylor, Jim, Martinez, Yissu and Meers, Joanne (2023). Cleft palate syndrome in the endangered spectacled flying fox (Pteropus conspicillatus): implications for conservation and comparative research. Veterinary Sciences, 10 (1) 38, 1-14. doi: 10.3390/vetsci10010038

Cleft palate syndrome in the endangered spectacled flying fox (Pteropus conspicillatus): implications for conservation and comparative research

2022

Journal Article

A mammalian messenger RNA sex determination method from humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) blubber biopsies

Linsky, Jacob M. J., Dunlop, Rebecca A., Noad, Michael J. and McMichael, Lee A. (2022). A mammalian messenger RNA sex determination method from humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) blubber biopsies. Royal Society Open Science, 9 (9220556) 220556, 220556. doi: 10.1098/rsos.220556

A mammalian messenger RNA sex determination method from humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) blubber biopsies

Featured

2022

Journal Article

Differential and defective transcription of koala retrovirus indicates the complexity of host and virus evolution

Tarlinton, R. E. , Legione, A. R. , Sarker, N. , Fabijan, J. , Meers, J. , McMichael, L. , Simmons, G. , Owen, H. , Seddon, J. M. , Dick, G. , Ryder, J. S. , Hemmatzedah, F. , Trott, D. J. , Speight, N. , Holmes, N. , Loose, M. and Emes, R. D. (2022). Differential and defective transcription of koala retrovirus indicates the complexity of host and virus evolution. Journal of General Virology, 103 (6) 001749. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001749

Differential and defective transcription of koala retrovirus indicates the complexity of host and virus evolution

Featured

2022

Conference Publication

Cleft palate syndrome of the endangered spectacled flying fox

McMichael, Lee, Mclean, Jennefer, Taylor, Jim, Martinez, Yissu and Meers, Joanne (2022). Cleft palate syndrome of the endangered spectacled flying fox. 20th Australasian Bat Society Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11 - 13 April 2022.

Cleft palate syndrome of the endangered spectacled flying fox

Featured

2022

Conference Publication

Immunosuppresive retrovirus in bats: implications for a virus reservoir species shedding zoonotic pathogens in Australia

McMichael, Lee , Ali, Asad , Smith, Craig and Meers, Joanne (2022). Immunosuppresive retrovirus in bats: implications for a virus reservoir species shedding zoonotic pathogens in Australia. One Health Downuner Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 12-13 September 2022.

Immunosuppresive retrovirus in bats: implications for a virus reservoir species shedding zoonotic pathogens in Australia

Featured

2021

Journal Article

Identification and prevalence of a gammaherpesvirus in free-ranging Northern Brown Bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus)

Langhorne, Charlotte, Sullivan, Jennifer, Hoy, Julia, Kopp, Steven, Murray, Peter and McMichael, Lee (2021). Identification and prevalence of a gammaherpesvirus in free-ranging Northern Brown Bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus). Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 57 (4), 912-916. doi: 10.7589/jwd-d-20-00166

Identification and prevalence of a gammaherpesvirus in free-ranging Northern Brown Bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus)

Featured

2021

Journal Article

Haematology and serum biochemistry results for anaesthetised northern brown bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus) in south east Queensland

Langhorne, C., McMichael, L., Hoy, J., Kopp, S. and Murray, P. (2021). Haematology and serum biochemistry results for anaesthetised northern brown bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus) in south east Queensland. Australian Veterinary Journal, 99 (9) avj.13098, 408-411. doi: 10.1111/avj.13098

Haematology and serum biochemistry results for anaesthetised northern brown bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus) in south east Queensland

Featured

2021

Journal Article

Clinical pathology of captive endangered mahogany gliders (Petaurus gracilis) in response to environmental change

McMichael, Lee, Adam, Dalene, Tribe, Andrew, Bynon, Brian, Bradshaw, Lana, Langhorne, Charlotte, Hoy, Julia, Murray, Peter and Kopp, Steven (2021). Clinical pathology of captive endangered mahogany gliders (Petaurus gracilis) in response to environmental change. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 52 (1), 268-275. doi: 10.1638/2019-0163

Clinical pathology of captive endangered mahogany gliders (Petaurus gracilis) in response to environmental change

Featured

2021

Conference Publication

Novel retrovirus in Australian flying foxes: Part of the KoRV mystery or a threat to bats

McMichael, Lee, Smith, Craig and Meers, Joanne (2021). Novel retrovirus in Australian flying foxes: Part of the KoRV mystery or a threat to bats. Koala Retrovirus Symposium, Online, 25-27 May 2021.

Novel retrovirus in Australian flying foxes: Part of the KoRV mystery or a threat to bats

Featured

2021

Conference Publication

Threats to the endangered Spectacled flying fox of Queensland's Wet Tropics World Heritage Area

McMichael, Lee (2021). Threats to the endangered Spectacled flying fox of Queensland's Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Wildlife Disease Association Australasian Section Queensland miniconference, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia, 7 November 2021.

Threats to the endangered Spectacled flying fox of Queensland's Wet Tropics World Heritage Area

Featured

2020

Journal Article

Extreme mobility of the world’s largest flying mammals creates key challenges for management and conservation

Welbergen, Justin A., Meade, Jessica, Field, Hume E., Edson, Daniel, McMichael, Lee, Shoo, Luke P., Praszczalek, Jenny, Smith, Craig and Martin, John M. (2020). Extreme mobility of the world’s largest flying mammals creates key challenges for management and conservation. BMC Biology, 18 (1) 101, 101. doi: 10.1186/s12915-020-00829-w

Extreme mobility of the world’s largest flying mammals creates key challenges for management and conservation

Featured

2019

Journal Article

Hematology and plasma biochemistry of wild spectacled flying foxes (Pteropus conspicillatus) in Australia

McMichael, Lee, Edson, Daniel, McKeown, Adam, Sanchez, Cecilia, Mayer, David, Kopp, Steven, Meers, Joanne and Field, Hume (2019). Hematology and plasma biochemistry of wild spectacled flying foxes (Pteropus conspicillatus) in Australia. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 55 (2), 449-454. doi: 10.7589/2018-04-096

Hematology and plasma biochemistry of wild spectacled flying foxes (Pteropus conspicillatus) in Australia

Featured

2019

Journal Article

A novel Australian flying-fox retrovirus shares an evolutionary ancestor with Koala, Gibbon and Melomys gamma-retroviruses

McMichael, L., Smith, C., Gordon, A., Agnihotri, K., Meers, J. and Oakey, J. (2019). A novel Australian flying-fox retrovirus shares an evolutionary ancestor with Koala, Gibbon and Melomys gamma-retroviruses. Virus Genes, 55 (3), 421-424. doi: 10.1007/s11262-019-01653-3

A novel Australian flying-fox retrovirus shares an evolutionary ancestor with Koala, Gibbon and Melomys gamma-retroviruses

Featured

2019

Conference Publication

Application of Bioinformatics to the study of viruses in Australian native wildlife

McMichael, Lee (2019). Application of Bioinformatics to the study of viruses in Australian native wildlife. In: Workshop on bioinformatics for animal disease detection. Bioinformatics for Animal Disease Detection, Bogor, Indonesia, (). April 2019.

Application of Bioinformatics to the study of viruses in Australian native wildlife

Featured

2019

Journal Article

Time of year, age class and body condition predict Hendra virus infection in Australian black flying foxes (Pteropus alecto)

Edson, D., Peel, A. J., Huth, L., Mayer, D. G., Vidgen, M. E., McMichael, L., Broos, A., Melville, D., Kristoffersen, J., de Jong, C., McLaughlin, A. and Field, H. E. (2019). Time of year, age class and body condition predict Hendra virus infection in Australian black flying foxes (Pteropus alecto). Epidemiology and Infection, 147 e240, 1-10. doi: 10.1017/S0950268819001237

Time of year, age class and body condition predict Hendra virus infection in Australian black flying foxes (Pteropus alecto)

Featured

2018

Journal Article

Shelter-housed cats show no evidence of faecal shedding of canine parvovirus DNA

Byrne, P., Beatty, J. A., Šlapeta, J., Corley, S. W., Lyons, R. E., McMichael, L., Kyaw-Tanner, M. T., Dung, P. T., Decaro, N., Meers, J. and Barrs, V. R. (2018). Shelter-housed cats show no evidence of faecal shedding of canine parvovirus DNA. Veterinary Journal, 239, 54-58. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.08.005

Shelter-housed cats show no evidence of faecal shedding of canine parvovirus DNA

Featured

2018

Journal Article

Hematology, plasma biochemistry, and urinalysis of free-ranging grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) in Australia

Edson, Daniel, Field, Hume, McMichael, Lee, Mayer, David, Martin, John, Welbergen, Justin, McLaughlin, Amanda, Huth, Lauren, Kristoffersen, Joanna, Tsoukalas, George and Kirkland, Peter (2018). Hematology, plasma biochemistry, and urinalysis of free-ranging grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) in Australia. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 49 (3), 591-598. doi: 10.1638/2017-0126.1

Hematology, plasma biochemistry, and urinalysis of free-ranging grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) in Australia

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2026
    Diagnosis of stress-levels in koalas across different habitats with a species-specific enzyme immunoassay kit
    Community Sustainability Action - Qld Dep Env Science
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Saving the endangered Spectacled flying fox from annual tick paralysis mortality events:
    Threatened Species Research Grants
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Innate immune response to Ross River virus infection in horses
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Reduction in tick paralysis mortalities of the endangered spectacled flying fox
    WIRES National Grant Program
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023
    Combination immunotherapies for the treatment of solid canine cancers
    Canine Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Epidemiology of retroviral infections of flying-foxes ...does infection predispose flying-foxes to infection and excretion of Hendra virus?
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Investigation of causal etiologies of cleft palate neonatal mass mortality events of the endangered Spectacled flying-fox in Far North Queensland's Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
    Annandale Bequest
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Lee McMichael is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

For media enquiries about Dr Lee McMichael's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au