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)

21 - 40 of 58 works

Featured

2018

Journal Article

Phylogeny of Hepatocystis parasites of Australian flying foxes reveals distinct parasite clade

Schaer, Juliane, McMichael, Lee, Gordon, Anita N., Russell, Daniel, Matuschewski, Kai, Perkins, Susan L., Field, Hume and Power, Michelle (2018). Phylogeny of Hepatocystis parasites of Australian flying foxes reveals distinct parasite clade. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 7 (2), 207-212. doi: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2018.06.001

Phylogeny of Hepatocystis parasites of Australian flying foxes reveals distinct parasite clade

Featured

2018

Conference Publication

Chronic physiological stress in Australian flying-foxes and Hendra virus

McMichael, Lee , Meers, Joanne , Kopp, Steven and Field, Hume (2018). Chronic physiological stress in Australian flying-foxes and Hendra virus. In: Australian Mammal Society Conference Proceedings. Australian mammal Society Conference, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, (). July 2018.

Chronic physiological stress in Australian flying-foxes and Hendra virus

Featured

2017

Journal Article

Physiological stress and Hendra virus in flying-foxes (Pteropus spp.), Australia

McMichael, Lee, Edson, Daniel, Smith, Craig, Mayer, David, Smith, Ian, Kopp, Steven, Meers, Joanne and Field, Hume (2017). Physiological stress and Hendra virus in flying-foxes (Pteropus spp.), Australia. PLoS One, 12 (8) e0182171, e0182171. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182171

Physiological stress and Hendra virus in flying-foxes (Pteropus spp.), Australia

Featured

2017

Other Outputs

Physiological biomarkers of Hendra virus infection in Australian Flying-foxes (Pteropus spp.)

McMichael, Lee Anne (2017). Physiological biomarkers of Hendra virus infection in Australian Flying-foxes (Pteropus spp.). PhD Thesis, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2017.871

Physiological biomarkers of Hendra virus infection in Australian Flying-foxes (Pteropus spp.)

Featured

2017

Journal Article

Physiologic biomarkers and hendra virus infection in Australian black flying foxes (Pteropus alecto)

McMichael, Lee, Edson, Daniel, Mayer, David, Broos, Alice, Kopp, Steven, Meers, Joanne and Field, Hume (2017). Physiologic biomarkers and hendra virus infection in Australian black flying foxes (Pteropus alecto). Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 53 (1), 111-120. doi: 10.7589/2016-05-100

Physiologic biomarkers and hendra virus infection in Australian black flying foxes (Pteropus alecto)

Featured

2016

Journal Article

Temporal variation in physiological biomarkers in black flying-foxes (Pteropus alecto), Australia

McMichael, Lee, Edson, Daniel, Mayer, David, McLaughlin, Amanda, Goldspink, Lauren, Vidgen, Miranda E., Kopp, Steven, Meers, Joanne and Field, Hume (2016). Temporal variation in physiological biomarkers in black flying-foxes (Pteropus alecto), Australia. EcoHealth, 13 (1), 49-59. doi: 10.1007/s10393-016-1113-0

Temporal variation in physiological biomarkers in black flying-foxes (Pteropus alecto), Australia

Featured

2015

Journal Article

Spatiotemporal aspects of Hendra virus infection in pteropid bats (flying-foxes) in Eastern Australia

Field, Hume, Jordan, David, Edson, Daniel, Morris, Stephen, Melville, Debra, Parry-Jones, Kerryn, Broos, Alice, Divljan, Anja, McMichael, Lee, Davis, Rodney, Kung, Nina, Kirkland, Peter and Smith, Craig (2015). Spatiotemporal aspects of Hendra virus infection in pteropid bats (flying-foxes) in Eastern Australia. PloS One, 10 (12) 144055, e0144055. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144055

Spatiotemporal aspects of Hendra virus infection in pteropid bats (flying-foxes) in Eastern Australia

Featured

2015

Journal Article

Haematology and plasma biochemistry of wild Black flying-foxes, (Pteropus alecto) in Queensland, Australia

McMichael, Lee, Edson, Daniel, McLaughlin, Amanda, Mayer, David, Kopp, Steven, Meers, Joanne and Field, Hume (2015). Haematology and plasma biochemistry of wild Black flying-foxes, (Pteropus alecto) in Queensland, Australia. PLoS One, 10 (5) e0125741, 1-13. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125741

Haematology and plasma biochemistry of wild Black flying-foxes, (Pteropus alecto) in Queensland, Australia

Featured

2015

Journal Article

Flying-fox roost disturbance and hendra virus spillover risk

Edson, Daniel, Field, Hume, McMichael, Lee, Jordan, David, Kung, Nina, Mayer, David and Smith, Craig (2015). Flying-fox roost disturbance and hendra virus spillover risk. PL o S One, 10 (5) e0125881, 1-16. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125881

Flying-fox roost disturbance and hendra virus spillover risk

Featured

2015

Journal Article

Routes of Hendra virus excretion in naturally-infected flying-foxes: implications for viral transmission and spill over risk

Edson, D., Field, H., McMichael, L., Vidgen, M,, Goldspink, L., Broos, A,, Melville, D., Kristoffersen, J., de Jong, C., McLaughlin, A., Kung, N., Jordan, D,, Kirkland, P. and Smith, C. (2015). Routes of Hendra virus excretion in naturally-infected flying-foxes: implications for viral transmission and spill over risk. PLoS One, 10 (10) e0140670, e0140670. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140670

Routes of Hendra virus excretion in naturally-infected flying-foxes: implications for viral transmission and spill over risk

Featured

2015

Conference Publication

Hendra virus infection of Black flying-foxes (Pteropus alecto): Assessment of nutritional and physiological drivers

McMichael, Lee , Edson, Daniel , Mayer, David , Kopp, Steven , Meers, Joanne and Field, Hume (2015). Hendra virus infection of Black flying-foxes (Pteropus alecto): Assessment of nutritional and physiological drivers. In: Wildlife Disease Association International conference proceedings. Wildlife Disease Association International Conference, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia, (). 26-30 July 2015.

Hendra virus infection of Black flying-foxes (Pteropus alecto): Assessment of nutritional and physiological drivers

Featured

2014

Journal Article

Measuring physiological stress in Australian flying-fox populations

McMichael, Lee A., Edson, Daniel and Field, Hume (2014). Measuring physiological stress in Australian flying-fox populations. EcoHealth, 11 (3), 400-408. doi: 10.1007/s10393-014-0954-7

Measuring physiological stress in Australian flying-fox populations

Featured

2014

Conference Publication

Hematology and biochemistry of black flying-foxes. Towards understanding population health and association with Hendra virus

McMichael, Lee , Edson, Daniel , Mclaughlin, Amanada , Kopp, Steven , Meers, Joanne and Field, Hume (2014). Hematology and biochemistry of black flying-foxes. Towards understanding population health and association with Hendra virus. Wildlife Disease Association Australasia Conference, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, ACT, Australia, September 2014.

Hematology and biochemistry of black flying-foxes. Towards understanding population health and association with Hendra virus

Featured

2013

Conference Publication

Physiological drivers of hendra virus excretion in black flying-foxes: a PhD study

McMichael, Lee, Meers, Joanne, Kopp, Steven and Field, Hume (2013). Physiological drivers of hendra virus excretion in black flying-foxes: a PhD study. Wildlife Disease Association Australasia Conference, Grampians, VIC Australia, September 2013.

Physiological drivers of hendra virus excretion in black flying-foxes: a PhD study

Featured

2012

Conference Publication

Flying fox dispersal and Hendra virus risk

Edson, Daniel, McMichael, Lee, Jordon, David and Field, Hume (2012). Flying fox dispersal and Hendra virus risk. Emerging Infectious Diseases Symposium, Geelong, VIC, Australia, 22-23 October 2012.

Flying fox dispersal and Hendra virus risk

Featured

2012

Conference Publication

Flying fox dispersal, stress and Hendra virus risk

Edson, Daniel, McMichael, Lee and Field, Hume (2012). Flying fox dispersal, stress and Hendra virus risk. In: WDAA Annual Conference Proceedings. Wildlife Disease Association Australasia Conference, Stradbroke Island, QLD Australia, (). September 2012.

Flying fox dispersal, stress and Hendra virus risk

Featured

2012

Conference Publication

Measuring stress in wild Australian flying foxes

McMichael, Lee, Edson, Daniel and Field, Hume (2012). Measuring stress in wild Australian flying foxes. In: WDAA Annual Conference Proceedings 2012. Wildlife Disease Association Australasia Conference, Stradbroke Island, QLD Australia, (). September 2012.

Measuring stress in wild Australian flying foxes

Featured

2002

Other Outputs

Plant and viral promoters PMP Schenk, L Sagi, S Remy, RL Swennen, RG Dietzgen, ADW Geering, LA McMichael, JE Thomas, CPL Grof, AR Elliott. CSIRO, 2002. United States Patent US 6,391,639 B1.

Schenk, P. M. P., Sagi, L., Remy, S., Swennen, R. L., Dietzgen, R. G., Geering, A. D. W., McMichael, L. A. , Thomas, J. E. , Grof, C. P. L. and Elliott, A. R. (2002). Plant and viral promoters PMP Schenk, L Sagi, S Remy, RL Swennen, RG Dietzgen, ADW Geering, LA McMichael, JE Thomas, CPL Grof, AR Elliott. CSIRO, 2002. United States Patent US 6,391,639 B1.. US Patent 6,391,639 B1.

Plant and viral promoters PMP Schenk, L Sagi, S Remy, RL Swennen, RG Dietzgen, ADW Geering, LA McMichael, JE Thomas, CPL Grof, AR Elliott. CSIRO, 2002. United States Patent US 6,391,639 B1.

2024

Other Outputs

Blubber gene expression and cortisol concentrations reveal changing physiological stress in a Southern ocean sentinel species (Eastern Australian Humpback Whale)

Linsky, Jake and McMichael, Lee (2024). Blubber gene expression and cortisol concentrations reveal changing physiological stress in a Southern ocean sentinel species (Eastern Australian Humpback Whale). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/1e736d1

Blubber gene expression and cortisol concentrations reveal changing physiological stress in a Southern ocean sentinel species (Eastern Australian Humpback Whale)

2024

Journal Article

Blubber gene expression and cortisol concentrations reveal changing physiological stress in a Southern Ocean sentinel species

Linsky, Jacob M. J., Dunlop, Rebecca A., Noad, Michael J. and McMichael, Lee A. (2024). Blubber gene expression and cortisol concentrations reveal changing physiological stress in a Southern Ocean sentinel species. Marine Environmental Research, 199 106596, 106596. doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106596

Blubber gene expression and cortisol concentrations reveal changing physiological stress in a Southern Ocean sentinel species

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

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