Dr Susan Kueh

Associate Professor & Principal Research Fellow, Aquatic Animal Health

(65) 98440242
susan.kueh@jcu.edu.au

Qualifications

Member, Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (Medicine and Management of Aquaculture Species) by examination, 2016-present
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD in Fish Pathology), Murdoch University, 2007-2012
Masters of Science (Aquatic Veterinary Studies), University of Stirling, 2000-2001
Bachelor of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, 1986-1990

Click here for research interest and publications

Biography

Dr Susan Gibson-Kueh has extensive experience in aquatic animal health from roles in government and academia. Her research is based on an in-depth understanding of the Asian aquaculture industry. Dr Gibson-Kueh’s expertise in diagnostic fish pathology encompasses both marine and freshwater finfish and shellfish, and the study of complex diseases in valuable food fish species. She has special interests in the development of sustainable livelihoods based on aquaculture and higher education in remote communities in the tropics.

Areas of expertise

Diagnostic pathology, parasitology, bacteriology, virology, molecular biology and epidemiology
Extensive knowledge of diseases of tropical aquaculture species, particularly Asian seabass or barramundi, red snapper, and groupers

Research Interests

Dr Gibson-Kueh was the first researcher to suggest the viral causative agent of scale-drop disease (SDD) in barramundi during her PhD in 2012. Her current research continues to add to our understanding of SDD, along with other diseases like big belly disease and Lates calcarifer herpesvirus, so that sustainable approaches can be developed for barramundi aquaculture. She is a champion for advancement in the use of haematology and blood biochemistry to support health management of tropical aquaculture species.

Impact of Research

First report of novel chronic bacterial enteritis or Big Belly in Asian seabass fry in 2004, with significant impact on production of Asian seabass in seawater culture

First report of Scale drop disease in barramundi in 2012 paved the way for further work by De Groof et al. 2015, with the isolation of a novel virus with 60% homology to other known iridoviruses. SDD was originally thought to be caused by Tenacibaculum maritimum

Correlated high incidences of an Eimeria infection in juvenile Asian seabass (barramundi) Lates calcarifer in small scale nurseries in Vietnam with low water exchange rates. This parasite was later named Goussia kuehae by Szekely et al., 2013.

Suggested affinity of fish systemic iridovirus for cells of mesothelial origin in naturally infected fish via electron microscopy during her MSc at the Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling. This information correlated with better success when fibroblastic cell lines are used for viral isolation.