Carolyn Gates

BSc VMD Phd SFHEA

carolyn.gates@akovet.org

+64 021 506 520

Expertise

Qualifications

2021

Senior Fellowship in the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)

2014

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

University of Edinburgh

2010

Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris (VMD)

Summa Cum Laude

University of Pennsylvania

2006

Bachelor of Science (BSc)

With Highest Honours

Rutgers University

Meet Carolyn

Co-Founder of AkoVet

I am an award-winning veterinary researcher, educator, and clinician on a mission to change how we share animal health information to make animal and human lives better.

My career originally started out in clinical practice as an on-the-job trained veterinary nurse before later becoming a shelter veterinarian.  I transitioned into academia because I loved learning how to be a better veterinarian from my patients, clients, and colleagues and then sharing that knowledge back to help others who were struggling with the same issues. Since moving to New Zealand in 2015, I have been involved in many exciting research and teaching initiatives covering important challenges facing animal owners, veterinary professionals, and industry stakeholders across the country.  I joined forces with Seton and Kat in 2023 to create AkoVet as a platform where we could make those findings and resources more widely accessible to achieve positive impacts in the real world.

I started out my life in Canada, but spent most of my time growing up in various places across the northeastern United States and United Kingdom.  I chose a career in veterinary medicine because I was always fascinated by all the weird and wonderful ways our bodies work to keep us alive and preferred the challenge of working with many different species.

Rutgers University

2004 - 2006
Bachelor's Degree

I completed my Bachelors of Science (BSc) in Animal Science summa cum laude with an Honor’s thesis using historical data to look at the relationship between air pollution and thoroughbred race performance.  During this time, I also worked my way through the roles of kennel attendant, receptionist, veterinary assistant, and on-the-job trained veterinary technician in companion animal practice.

University of Pennsylvania

2006 - 2010
Veterinary Degree

I fell in love with food animals in my first year of veterinary school and tracked production animal medicine with a special focus on dairy. Through two summer research programmes and independent study projects, I published 8 first-author manuscripts on West Nile virus risk factors, companion animal parasitology, and veterinary public health. I spent most weekends volunteering at the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) doing high-volume spay-neuter for cats.

Shelter Medicine

2010
Clinical Practice

After finishing my veterinary degree, I spent 6 months  working full-time as a shelter medicine veterinarian in Philadelphia taking care of shelter animals, seeing outpatient appointments in low-cost community clinics, and more high-volume spay-neuter.

University of Edinburgh

2010 - 2013
Clinical Practice

Six years in school was still not enough so I chose to pursue a PhD in Veterinary Epidemiology in the Epigroup at University of Edinburgh.  My research focused on modelling the spread of infectious diseases through cattle movement networks and how we can modifying trading behaviours to make it harder for pathogens to persist. I continued to work as a locum small animal veterinarian and teaching assistant for extra income.

Texas A&M University

2013-2015
Postdoctoral Period

I was feeling a bit lost after finishing my PhD when an opportunity came up at Texas A&M University to work on a syndromic surveillance project looking to build a mobile app for veterinarians to enter data on clinical cases they encountered in large animal and swine production practice.  I also continued doing clinical work in shelter medicine during this time period.

Massey University

2015 - Present
Lecturer to Professor

Through my connections from Texas A&M University, I found out about a faculty position in Veterinary Epidemiology being offered at Massey University for someone with similar focus to my PhD. Having never been to New Zealand before, I packed my life into a shipping container and showed up here on Waitangi Day in 2015. Since then, I have worked my way up from Lecturer to Professor by saying “Yes” to far too many research, teaching, and service projects with at least some of them turning out to be successful.

As of 2023, I dropped to part-time at Massey University so that I can dedicate more time to developing resources and tools for AkoVet.

What matters most to me is helping people solve the animal health challenges that matter most to them.  My research blends data science with social science to learn how we can utilize existing animal health data streams to help stakeholders make more informed disease management decisions and to understand how we can better communicate the results from these research studies to promote positive behavioural change in practice.

Over the past 10 years, I have managed a $2.1 million research portfolio tackling important issues for animal populations and veterinary professionals in New Zealand.  This has included:

BVD Control Calves
Building the business case for Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) eradication
2017 - 2020

This large multidisciplinary research project used field research studies, cross-sectional surveys, retrospective data analysis, and simulation modelling to evaluate the economics of establishing a coordinated national disease control programme for bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) virus in New Zealand. Check out the BVD Free website for more information.

  1. Gates MC, Evans CA, Heuer C, Voges H, Weston JF (2021) Trends in bulk milk antibody ELISA and PCR test results for bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) virus in New Zealand pastoral dairy herds. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 69(2), 73-82.
  2. Gates MC, Evans CA, Weston JF (2021) Practices and opinions of New Zealand veterinarians towards bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) control. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 69(5), 274-84.
  3. Han JH, Weston JF, Heuer C, Gates MC (2020) Modelling the economics of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) control in pastoral dairy and beef cattle herds. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 182, 105092.
  4. Evans CA, JH Han, Weston J, Heuer C, Gates MC (2020) Serological evidence for bovine viral diarrhoea exposure in New Zealand sheep flocks co-grazed with beef cattle. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 8(4), 238-241.
  5. Gates MC, Evans CA, JH Han, Heuer C, Weston J (2019) Practices and opinions of New Zealand beef cattle farmers towards bovine viral diarrhoea control in relation to real and perceived herd serological status. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 68(2): 92-100.
  6. Han JH, Weston JF, Heuer C, Gates MC (2019) Estimating the within-herd transmission rate of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVD) in extensive beef herds. Veterinary Research 50(1): 103.
  7. Gates MC, Evans CA, Heuer C, Weir A, Weston JF (2019) Recommendations for the testing and control of bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) virus in New Zealand pastoral cattle production systems. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 67(5): 219-227.
  8. Gates MC, JH Han, Evans CA, Weston JF, Heuer C (2019) Assessing the use of diagnostic laboratory accession data to support national bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVD) control in New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 67(4), 194-202.
  9. Evans CA, Pinior B, Charlier J, Larska M, Graham D, Schweizer M, Guidarini C , Decaro N, Ridpath J, Gates MC (2018) Global knowledge gaps in the prevention and control of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVD) Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 66(2), 640-652.
  10. Han JH, Weston JF, Holter J, Moffat J, Heuer C, Gates MC (2018) Using Bayesian network modelling to untangle farm management risk factors for bovine viral diarrhoea virus infection. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 161, 75-82.
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Future-proofing the New Zealand poultry industry against biological hazards
2019 - 2024

This project worked with the commercial poultry industry and backyard poultry producers to explore opportunities for building a national poultry health system to support national disease prevention and control activities.

  1. Greening SS, Gates MC (2022) Cross-sectional survey of barriers and opportunities for engaging backyard poultry producers and veterinarians in addressing poultry health. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 71(1), 18-26.
  2. Greening SS, Rawdon T, French NP, Gates MC (2021) Using multiple data sources to explore disease transmission risk between commercial poultry, backyard poultry, and wild birds in New Zealand. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 190, 105327.
  3. Greening SS, Rawdon T, Mulqueen K, French NP, Gates MC (2020) Estimating the level of disease risk and biosecurity on commercial poultry farms in New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 68(5), 261-271.
team of veterinarians in the surgical room preparing a dog for surgery
Exploring opportunities to increase Allied Veterinary Professional (AVP) utilisation in clinical practice
2022 - 2024

This project involved conducting cross-sectional surveys, clinic interviews, and literature reviews to understand more about how veterinary clinics use allied veterinary professionals (including nurses, technicians, assistants, and receptionists) to support clinical work and how we can support New Zealand veterinary practices in utilising AVPs more effectively.

  1. Gates MC, Palleson-Putt P, Sawicki RK (2020) Opinions of recent veterinary technology graduates toward their education and subsequent employment experiences. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 69(2), 93-103.
Veterinarian woman in blue uniform is using laptop to searching pet information and typing treatment data while working in veterinary clinic.
Understanding the continuing professional development (CPD) needs of veterinarians
2018

This project involved conducting cross-sectional surveys and literature reviews to understand how New Zealand veterinarians approach continuing professional development (CPD) and what additional resources would better support new graduates as well as experienced veterinarians.  The findings were used by Veterinary Council of New Zealand to restructure CPD regulations for veterinarians.

  1. Gates MC, McLachlan I, Butler S, Weston JF (2021) Building veterinarians beyond veterinary school: challenges and opportunities in continuing professional development. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education 48(4), 383-400.
  2. Gates MC, McLachlan I, Butler S, Weston JF (2020) Opinions and experiences of employers and colleagues with new graduate veterinarians during their first year in clinical practice. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 68(4), 214-224.
  3. Gates MC, McLachlan I, Butler S, Weston JF (2020) Practices and preferences of New Zealand clinical veterinarians for continuing professional development. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 69(1), 27-37.
  4. Gates MC, McLachlan I, Butler S, Weston JF (2020) Experiences of new veterinary graduates in their first employment position and preferences for new graduate support programmes. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 68(4): 214-224.
Herd of cows walking on a small country road. Changing fields. Scene in rural area. Agriculture industry. Meat and milk production. Blue cloudy sky. Farmers source of income. West of Ireland.
Controlling the spread of infectious diseases through New Zealand livestock populations
2015 to Present

I have managed a diverse portfolio of research projects exploring how infectious diseases spread within and between livestock populations and the implications for disease control programmes. This has included Staphylococcus aureus mastitis, bovine digital dermatitis, Mycoplasma bovis, foot-and-mouth disease, bovine tuberculosis, and many others.

  1. Enticott G, Earl L, Gates MC (2021) A Systematic Review of Social Research Methodologies Used to Investigate Early Animal Disease Reporting Behaviour. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 69(5), 2573-2587.
  2. Greening SS, Zhiang J, Midwinter AC, Wilkinson DA, McDougall S, Anderson MJ, Gates MC, French NP (2021) Genetic relatedness of Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from New Zealand dairy cattle Veterinary Science 8(11), 287
  3. Greening SS, Zhiang J, Midwinter AC, Wilkinson DA, Williamson DA, Anderson MJ, Gates MC, French NP (2021) Transmission dynamics of an antimicrobial resistant Campylobacter jejuni lineage in New Zealand’s commercial poultry network. Epidemics 37, 100521.
  4. Gates MC, Earl L, Enticott G (2021) Mitigating the impacts of exotic disease incursions on livestock industries through improved voluntary farmer disease reporting: challenges and opportunities. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 196, 105487
  5. van Andel M, Tildesley M, Gates MC (2020) Review: Using national animal datasets to support transboundary animal disease control in developed and developing countries. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 68(4), 1800-1813.
  6. Yang DA, Müeller KR, Laven R, Gates MC (2020) Modelling infection dynamics of bovine digital dermatitis in New Zealand pastoral dairy production systems. Veterinary Research 51: 1-10.
  7. van Andel M, Jones G, Buckle K, Phiri B, McFadden A, Dacre I, Bingham P, Heuer C, Abila R, Htun Win H, Lwin KO, Swainsbury R, Zaari S, Gates MC (2019) Estimating foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) prevalence in central Myanmar: comparison of village headman and farmer disease reports with serological findings. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 67(2): 778-791.
  8. Hidano A, Gates MC, Enticott G (2019) Farmers’ decision making on livestock trading practices: cowshed culture and behavioural triggers amongst New Zealand dairy farmer. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 6, 320.
  9. Hidano A, Gates MC (2019) Assessing biases in phylodynamic inferences in the presence of super-spreaders. Veterinary Research, 50(1), 74.
  10. Yang DA, Gates MC, Müller KR, Laven RA (2019) Bayesian analysis of risk factors for bovine digital dermatitis in New Zealand dairy herds. BMC Veterinary Research, 15(1), 125.
  11. Hidano A, Gates MC (2019) Why sold, not culled? Analysing farm and animal characteristics associated with livestock selling practices Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 166, 65-77.
  12. Yang DA, Johnson WO, Müeller KR, Gates MC, Laven RA. (2019) Estimating the herd and cow level prevalence of bovine digital dermatitis on New Zealand dairy farms: A Bayesian superpopulation approach. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 65, 76-84.
  13. Hidano A, Enticott G, Christley RM, Gates MC (2018) Modelling dynamic human behavioural changes in animal disease models: challenges and opportunities for addressing bias. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 5, 137.
  14. Van Andel M, Hollings T, Bradhurst R, Robinson A, Burgman M, Gates MC, Bingham P, Carpenter T. (2018) Does size matter to models? Exploring the effect of herd size on outputs of a herd-level disease spread simulator. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 5, 78.
  15. Hidano A, Carpenter TE, Stevenson MA, Gates MC (2016) Evaluating the efficacy of regionalisation in limiting high-risk livestock trade movements. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 133, 31- 41.
Dog and Cat at peace and sleeping together.  Frontal view. Borde
Mapping the landscape of companion animal ownership and rescue in New Zealand
2015 to Present

I have collaborated with many researchers and organisations to study different issues around companion animal ownership, clinical practice, and companion animal rescue in New Zealand.

  1. Roseveare C, Breheny M, Mansvelt J, Murray L, Wilkie M and Gates MC (2023) Companion animal fostering as a health promoting activity: a literature review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20(13), 6199.
  2. Bayley K, Gates MC, Anastassiadis Z, Read T (2023) The use of sub-Tenon’s anaesthesia versus a low-dose neuromuscular blockade for canine cataract surgery: a comparative study of 224 eyes. Veterinary Ophthalmology
  3. Gates MC, Kells N, Kongara K, Littlewood K (2023) Euthanasia of dogs and cats by veterinarians in New Zealand: protocols, procedures, and experiences. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 71(4), 172-185.
  4. Gates MC, Littlewood KE, Kongara K, Odom TF, Sawicki RK. (2020) Cross-sectional survey of surgical techniques used to perform dog and cat spays in New Zealand veterinary practice. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 68(1), 46-53.
  5. Gates MC, Mancera K, Dale A, Zito S (2020) Preliminary analysis of post-adoption outcomes for kittens and adult cats rehomed through a New Zealand animal shelter. New Zealand Veterinary Journal 68(1), 38-45.
  6. Gates MC, S Zito, Walker J, Dale A. (2019) A survey of opinions towards dog and cat management policy issues in New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 67(6): 315-322.
  7. Gates MC, S Zito, Walker J, Dale A. (2019) Cross-sectional survey of pet ownership, veterinary service utilisation, and pet-related expenditures in New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 67(6), 306-314.
  8. Gates MC, Zito S, Walker J, Dale A (2019) Owner perceptions and management of the effects of fireworks on New Zealand companion animals: an update. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 67(6), 323-328.
  9. Gates MC, Littlewood KE, Kongara K, Odom TF, Sawicki RK (2020) Cross-sectional survey of anaesthesia and analgesia protocols used for canine and feline desexing surgeries. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, 47(1), 38-46.
  10. Bruce SJ, Zito S, Gates MC, Aguilar A, Walker JK, Goldwater N, Dale A (2019) Predation and risk behaviour of free-roaming owned cats in Auckland, New Zealand via the use of animal-borne cameras. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 6.
  11. Gates MC, Zito S, Harvey LC, Walker JK, Dale A (2019) Assessing obesity in New Zealand dogs and cats presented for routine vaccination. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 67(3), 126-133.
  12. Zito S, Walker J, Gates MC, Dale A (2019) A preliminary description of companion cat, managed stray cat, and unmanaged stray cat welfare in Auckland, New Zealand using a 5-component assessment scale. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 6, 40.
  13. Gates MC, Zito S, Dale A (2018) Post-adoption outcomes for adult dogs rehomed through a New Zealand animal shelter. Animals, 8(6), 93.
  14. Gates MC, Vigeant S, and Dale A. (2017) “Prevalence and risk factors for cats testing positive for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus infection in cats entering an animal shelter in New Zealand.” New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 65(6), 285-291.
  15. Gates MC, Hinds H, Dale, A. (2017) “Preliminary description of aging cats and dogs presented to a New Zealand first-opinion veterinary clinic at end-of-life.” New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 65(6), 313-317.
  16. Luckman CL, Gates MC. (2017) Epidemiology and clinical outcomes of feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus in client-owned cats in New Zealand. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports,2, 2055116917729311.
  17. Muellner P, Muellner U, Gates MC, Pearce P, Ahlstrom C, O’Neill D, Brodbelt D, Cave N. (2016) Evidence in practice – leveraging companion animal and equine health data from primary care veterinary clinics in New Zealand. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 3, 116.
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Improving opportunities and outcomes in clinical veterinary education
2018 to Present

I have been involved with university-level and international-level research exploring the impacts of different teaching approaches on student learning outcomes, understanding the current role of Competency-Based Veterinary Education in final year rotations, and methods of supporting educators in providing students with appropriate feedback and assessment.

  1. Gates MC, Danielson JA, Fogelberg K, Foreman JH, Frost JS, Hodgson J, Matthew SM, Read E, Schoenfeld-Tacher R (2023) Cross-sectional survey of student and faculty experiences with feedback and assessment of clinical competency on final year rotations at American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) member institutions. Accepted in Journal of Veterinary Medical Education
  2. Foreman J, Read E, Coleman M, Danielson JA, Fogelberg K, Frost JS, Gates MC, Hinkley-Boltax A, Hodgson JL, Lyon SD, Matthew SM, Shoenfeld-Tacher R (2023) How to Use the Competency-Based Veterinary Education (CBVE) Assessment Toolkit. Accepted in Journal of Veterinary Medical Education
  3. Chaney K, Hodgson J, Banse H, Danielson J, Gates MC, Ilkiw J, Matthew S, Read E, Salisbury SK, Taylor R, Frost J (2023) Words Matter: The importance of adhering to terminology when implementing competency-based veterinary education (CBVE). Journal of Veterinary Medical Education,
  4. Gates MC, Littlewood KE, Kongara K, Odom TF, Sawicki RK (2018) Experience of practicing veterinarians with supervising final year students and new graduates in performing desexing surgeries Journal of Veterinary Medical Education 47(4), 465-474
  5. Gates MC, Littlewood K, Kongara K, Odom TF, Sawicki RK. (2018) Guidelines for implementing a low-cost volunteer desexing skills training programme for veterinary and veterinary technology students. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education 47(1), 27-38.
  6. Gates MC, Odom T, Sawicki RS. (2018) Experience and confidence of final year veterinary students in performing desexing surgeries at the time of graduation. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 66(4), 210-215.

For a complete list of my research publications, check out my Google Scholar profile.

My approach to teaching has evolved from a lot of self-reflection on the many challenges I faced during my first few years in clinical practice and all the things I wish someone had taught me before graduation so that I felt more confident handling common clinical scenarios.

I am a strong proponent of Competency Based Veterinary Education (CBVE), which is an educational framework that focuses on what learners can actually do rather than on simply what they know. This means that every learning activity I design is specifically aimed at placing students in either real or simulated workplace settings where they learn key concepts in the context where they will be using them. Furthermore, I empower students to take charge of their own education by providing them with resources that facilitate self-directed learning as well as opportunities to reinforce their learning through teaching their peers.

Over the past decade, I have developed and delivered award-winning teaching programmes in the following subject areas:

about-us-sheep
Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics

Undergraduate and postrgraduate level courses in epidemiology, animal health economics, research study design, data analysis, and infectious disease modelling.

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Production Animal Medicine

Undergraduate and postrgraduate level courses in dairy production medicine including nutrition, reproduction, mastitis, lameness, biosecurity, infectious diseases, culling, and youngstock management.

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Companion Animal Medicine

Building a “virtual veterinary teaching hospital” with a portfolio of more than 75 common clinical cases to provide pre-clinical and clinical year veterinary students with greater case exposure.

Shelter Medicine

Developing a blended final year rotation including shelter site visits, desexing surgeries, and an online module with 30 common clinical cases in shelter medicine.

Clinical Teaching

I have been involved with supervising final-year veterinary students on their community practice rotation including outpatient appointments and procedures.

On weekends, I run the Massey-SPCA Desexing Clinic which is an volunteer programme that provides low-cost cat desexing surgeries to underserved communities while also providing veterinary students much needed hands-on clinical experience earlier in the degree.

Since the programme started in 2017, we have run more than 320 clinic days and desexed more than 4,500 cats.  In 2018, the programme was awarded the Aotearoa New Zealand John Schofield Three Rs Implementation Award for what we have accomplished making teaching activities a positive experience for animals, owners, and students. The clinic has been featured in two media stories to celebrate our 500th surgery and 2000th surgery milestones.

In recognition of the significant contributions I have made to veterinary education in New Zealand, I was awarded the 2022 Prime Minister’s Educator of the Year Award.

My research and teaching work has been recognised for excellence through several university, national, and international awards.

2022

Prime Minister’s Educator of the Year Award

Te Whatu Kairangi Aotearoa Tertiary Educator Award

2021

Massey University Vice Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award

Senior Fellowship in the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)

2020

Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE) – Emerging Scholars Award

2018

International Society for Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics (ISVEE) Emerging Scientist Award

Aotearoa New Zealand John Schofield Three Rs Implementation Award

Massey University Early Career Research Award Medal

Massey University Early Career Teaching Award Medal

College of Science Early Career Research Award

Performance Based Research Fund (PBRF) – “A” grade

“Calling in an epidemiologist after the research study has finished is like calling in a pathologist. They can tell you why your research study died but there is nothing they can do to fix it.”

Having published more than 90 peer-reviewed journal articles spanning more than 50 research studies, I have a wide range of expertise across many species and disciplines in animal health and veterinary education. I enjoy sharing what I have learned about the research process with other researchers and organisations to help them avoid the mistakes I’ve made so they can make the most of their project ideas.

How I can help you:

I work primarily in R for statistical analysis and C for simulation modelling, but am also familiar with STATA, SPSS, and Python.

If you have a research or teaching project in mind, please get in touch to arrange time to chat with me about your project requirements.

*Please note that any work I do through AkoVet is completely independent from my current role at Massey University.