Dr Matt Playford & Dr Rob Woodgate
Matt's company Dawbuts provides research, training, consultancy and parasitology services to the animal industries. After graduating in veterinary science from the University of Sydney in 1986, Matt did an internship in pastoral medicine before working in rural practice in NSW and Victoria. From 1989 to 1994 Matt undertook research at Hokkaido University, completing a doctorate in parasite immunology. He taught livestock medicine and managed the large animal teaching practice at the University of Queensland from 1995-1999, then worked in R&D with Intervet and as a veterinary consultant before founding Dawbuts Pty Ltd in October 2009. He consults to a wide range of sheep and cattle producers in NSW and beyond and is an accredited Lifetime Ewe Management deliverer. Matt is active in Camden Rotary Club and is a keen cyclist.
Rob joined CSU in January 2012 and teaches veterinary parasitology and general animal health to animal science, equine science and vet students. Rob also supports worm egg counting and other parasitology testing and research in CSU's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Rob is the leader of the Animal Health and Welfare Research Pathway in the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation at CSU. Prior to this, Rob spent 12 years with the WA Department of Agriculture and Food, responsible for state-wide research and extension about the control of sheep worms, blowflies and lice. He was the National Coordinator of the WormBoss website – www.wormboss.com.au – between 2008 and 2011, and remains on the national Technical Panel for Paraboss. Rob’s main research and professional interests are in being able to provide meaningful practical advice about the diagnosis, treatment and sustainable management of internal and external parasites.