Dr Danila Marini

Biography

I graduated from The University of Adelaide in 2013 with a B. Animal Science and first class honours. In 2013 I commenced a PhD looking at self-medication methods in sheep and cattle at the University of New England, New South Wales in conjunction with the CSIRO in Armidale. I have been working in the animal behaviour and welfare field with a primary focus in sheep welfare. My current work is focused on training sheep to use a virtual fence and examining how that may affect their welfare.

Research Interests

My research interests are mainly focused on animal behaviour and welfare as well as relieving pain and stress in livestock. I am very interested in the learning capabilities of livestock and how we can develop training protocols that could allow them to have control over their welfare, such as through self-medication, as well as give us insight to their affective state.

Publications

Refereed Journal Publications

Marini, D., Colditz, I. G., Hinch, G., Petherick, J. C., & Lee, C (In Press). Self-administration by consumption of flunixin in feed alleviates the pain and inflammation associated with castration and tail docking of lambs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2016.12.008

Marini D, Pippia J, Colditz IG, Hinch GN, Petherick CJ, Lee C. (2016) Palatability and pharmacokinetics of flunixin when administered to sheep through feed. PeerJ 4:e1800 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1800

Marini, D., Pippia, J., Colditz, I. G., Hinch, G., Petherick, J. C., & Lee, C. (2015). Randomised trial of the bioavailability and efficacy of orally administered flunixin, carprofen and ketoprofen in a pain model in sheep. Australian Veterinary Journal, 93(8), 265-270. doi:10.1111/avj.12351

Hunter, D. S., Hazel, S. J., Kind, K. L., Liu, H., Marini, D., Giles, L. C. Giles, M. J. De Blasio, J. A. Owens, J. B. Pitcher & Gatford, K. L. (2015). Placental and fetal growth restriction, size at birth and neonatal growth alter cognitive function and behaviour in sheep in an age- and sex-specific manner. Physiology & Behavior, 152, Part A, 1-10. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.08.042

Hunter, D. S., S. J. Hazel, K. L. Kind, H. Liu, D. Marini, J. A. Owens, J. B. Pitcher & K. L. Gatford (2015). Do I turn left or right? Effects of sex, age, experience and exit route on maze test performance in sheep. Physiology & Behavior, 139, 244-253. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.11.037

Refereed Conference Submissions

Marini, D., Colditz, I. G., Hinch, G., Petherick, J. C., & Lee, C  (2016) Can lambs learn to self-medicate with feed containing flunixin? University of New England Postgraduate conference.

Marini, D., Colditz, I. G., Hinch, G., Petherick, J. C., & Lee, C  (2015) Can flunixin in feed alleviate the pain associated with castration and tail docking? ISAE 49th international Congress in Japan.

Marini D, Pippia J, Colditz IG, Hinch GN, Petherick CJ, Lee C. (2015) Assessing pain in lambs using a grimace scale (Poster). IEC Behaviour Conference in Cairns

Marini, D., Colditz, I. G., Hinch, G., Petherick, J. C., & Lee, C  (2014) Developing a self-medication method for sheep. In ISAE Australia, New Zealand, Philippines and Africa Regional Meeting: Forward thinking Applying ethology to solve behaviour and welfare questions. Presentation given in Sydney at the ISAE regional meeting.

Marini D, Pippia J, Colditz IG, Hinch GN, Petherick CJ, Lee C.Lee (2014) Bioavailability and efficacy of orally administered flunixin, carprofen and ketoprofen in a pain model in sheep. (Poster) In I. Estevez, X. Manteca, R.H. Marin and X. Averos (Eds.), International Society for Applied Ethology: Proceedings of the 48th international congress of the ISAE (pp.220) The Netherlands, Wageningen Academic Publishers.

Marini, D., Colditz, I. G., Hinch, G., Petherick, J. C., & Lee, C  (2013) Developing a self-medication method for sheep and cattle. Presented at the AARHUS University, Pain course.