Sep 4, 2020
Richard Bradbury specializes in
parasitic diseases in humans, particularly zoonotic parasites,
which indicates they were transmitted through other
animals.
He shares his vast knowledge of parasitology with listeners by
discussing
Richard Bradbury is a senior
lecturer in the Clinical Microbiology and Molecular Biology
Department at Federation University in Australia. His major focuses
are on parasitology diagnostics and epidemiology; therefore, world
health and prevention falls into his purview.
He's especially done a lot of work on the Pacific Islands with
soil-transmitted helminths. He adds that because parasites are
usually a problem with underserved populations, locating where
parasites tend to congregate before infecting humans is important
to his work.
He offers listeners several examples of parasites and their habits to show their reach. In Australia, for example, they have a really big problem with the Strongyloides stercoralis worm. Human hosts can have infections decades later and they are still having trouble with Vietnam vets suffering from these infections from their time in Southeast Asia. The immune suppressed are especially vulnerable and may die from infection.
He also discusses his efforts with communities who are isolated and have less access to medical care and prevention measures. These include groups from aboriginal communities in Australia to rural Mississippi populations. He addresses common testing techniques and relays his own involvement with developing a single universal parasite test that uses next-generation sequencing. He also discusses a variety of parasitic infection symptoms and global efforts towards prevention.
Find out more by searching his
name in google scholar and research gate and see his website at
Federation University:
federation.edu.au/schools/school-of-science-psychology-and-sport/staff-profiles/staff-directory/bradbury.
Available on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2Os0myK