Dr Lee McMichael
Lecturer
School of Veterinary Science
Researcher biography
My research has focused on molecular studies of pathogens, disease syndromes and health of Australian wildlife and domestic species. Particular research interests include the study of emerging and novel viral infections and syndromes of Australian bat species, being awarded the School of Veterinary Science, Award for Outstanding Contribution to Research in 2023. I am passionate about my undergraduate teaching in the discipline of animal genetics and genomics and my supervision and mentorship of Higher Degree Research students, being awarded the School of Veterinary Science, Helen Keates Developing Teacher Award, and Higher Degree Research Supervision Excellence Award in 2022. I mentor my students in developing their molecular biology skills in a diverse range of project areas, from molecular detection and characterisation of pathogens with zoonotic potential in wildlife and companion animals, characterisation of novel viruses of wildlife with potential wildlife health and conservation impacts and gene expression analyses in disease of companion animals.
Publications
Journal Articles
Linsky, Jacob M. J., Dunlop, Rebecca A. and McMichael, Lee A. (2024). A novel RT‐qPCR health assay reveals differential expression of stress and immunoregulatory genes between the seasonal migrations of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Molecular Ecology, 33 (2) e17209, e17209. doi: 10.1111/mec.17209
Sullivan, Jennifer, Huth, Lauren, Meers, Joanne and McMichael, Lee (2023). Presence of multiple herpesvirus variants in Australian flying foxes (Pteropus Spp.). Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 59 (2), 453-459. doi: 10.7589/JWD-D-22-00082
Mottaghinia, Saba, McMichael, Lee and Meers, Joanne (2023). Bats or rodents, who started it? Short history of the gibbon ape leukemia virus-koala retrovirus clade.. Technical Reports of the Australian Museum Online, 38, 15-18. doi: 10.3853/j.1835-4211.38.2023.1834
Ooi, Vicky, McMichael, Lee, Hunter, Margaret E., Kamla, Aristide Takoukam and Lanyon, Janet M. (2023). A new DNA extraction method (HV-CTAB-PCI) for amplification of nuclear markers from open ocean-retrieved faeces of an herbivorous marine mammal, the dugong. PLoS One, 18 (6) e0278792, 1-29. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278792
McMichael, Lee, Mclean, Jennefer, Taylor, Jim, Martinez, Yissu and Meers, Joanne (2023). Cleft palate syndrome in the endangered spectacled flying fox (Pteropus conspicillatus): implications for conservation and comparative research. Veterinary Sciences, 10 (1) 38, 1-14. doi: 10.3390/vetsci10010038
Linsky, Jacob M. J., Dunlop, Rebecca A., Noad, Michael J. and McMichael, Lee A. (2022). A mammalian messenger RNA sex determination method from humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) blubber biopsies. Royal Society Open Science, 9 (9220556) 220556, 220556. doi: 10.1098/rsos.220556
Tarlinton, R. E. , Legione, A. R. , Sarker, N. , Fabijan, J. , Meers, J. , McMichael, L. , Simmons, G. , Owen, H. , Seddon, J. M. , Dick, G. , Ryder, J. S. , Hemmatzedah, F. , Trott, D. J. , Speight, N. , Holmes, N. , Loose, M. and Emes, R. D. (2022). Differential and defective transcription of koala retrovirus indicates the complexity of host and virus evolution. Journal of General Virology, 103 (6) 001749. doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001749
Langhorne, Charlotte, Sullivan, Jennifer, Hoy, Julia, Kopp, Steven, Murray, Peter and McMichael, Lee (2021). Identification and prevalence of a gammaherpesvirus in free-ranging Northern Brown Bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus). Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 57 (4), 912-916. doi: 10.7589/jwd-d-20-00166
Langhorne, C., McMichael, L., Hoy, J., Kopp, S. and Murray, P. (2021). Haematology and serum biochemistry results for anaesthetised northern brown bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus) in south east Queensland. Australian Veterinary Journal, 99 (9) avj.13098, 408-411. doi: 10.1111/avj.13098
McMichael, Lee, Adam, Dalene, Tribe, Andrew, Bynon, Brian, Bradshaw, Lana, Langhorne, Charlotte, Hoy, Julia, Murray, Peter and Kopp, Steven (2021). Clinical pathology of captive endangered mahogany gliders (Petaurus gracilis) in response to environmental change. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 52 (1), 268-275. doi: 10.1638/2019-0163
Welbergen, Justin A., Meade, Jessica, Field, Hume E., Edson, Daniel, McMichael, Lee, Shoo, Luke P., Praszczalek, Jenny, Smith, Craig and Martin, John M. (2020). Extreme mobility of the world’s largest flying mammals creates key challenges for management and conservation. BMC Biology, 18 (1) 101, 101. doi: 10.1186/s12915-020-00829-w
McMichael, Lee, Edson, Daniel, McKeown, Adam, Sanchez, Cecilia, Mayer, David, Kopp, Steven, Meers, Joanne and Field, Hume (2019). Hematology and plasma biochemistry of wild spectacled flying foxes (Pteropus conspicillatus) in Australia. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 55 (2), 449-454. doi: 10.7589/2018-04-096
Edson, D., Peel, A. J., Huth, L., Mayer, D. G., Vidgen, M. E., McMichael, L., Broos, A., Melville, D., Kristoffersen, J., de Jong, C., McLaughlin, A. and Field, H. E. (2019). Time of year, age class and body condition predict Hendra virus infection in Australian black flying foxes (Pteropus alecto). Epidemiology and Infection, 147 e240, 1-10. doi: 10.1017/S0950268819001237
McMichael, L., Smith, C., Gordon, A., Agnihotri, K., Meers, J. and Oakey, J. (2019). A novel Australian flying-fox retrovirus shares an evolutionary ancestor with Koala, Gibbon and Melomys gamma-retroviruses. Virus Genes, 55 (3), 421-424. doi: 10.1007/s11262-019-01653-3
Edson, Daniel, Field, Hume, McMichael, Lee, Mayer, David, Martin, John, Welbergen, Justin, McLaughlin, Amanda, Huth, Lauren, Kristoffersen, Joanna, Tsoukalas, George and Kirkland, Peter (2018). Hematology, plasma biochemistry, and urinalysis of free-ranging grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) in Australia. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, 49 (3), 591-598. doi: 10.1638/2017-0126.1
Byrne, P., Beatty, J. A., Šlapeta, J., Corley, S. W., Lyons, R. E., McMichael, L., Kyaw-Tanner, M. T., Dung, P. T., Decaro, N., Meers, J. and Barrs, V. R. (2018). Shelter-housed cats show no evidence of faecal shedding of canine parvovirus DNA. Veterinary Journal, 239, 54-58. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2018.08.005
Schaer, Juliane, McMichael, Lee, Gordon, Anita N., Russell, Daniel, Matuschewski, Kai, Perkins, Susan L., Field, Hume and Power, Michelle (2018). Phylogeny of Hepatocystis parasites of Australian flying foxes reveals distinct parasite clade. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 7 (2), 207-212. doi: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2018.06.001
McMichael, Lee, Edson, Daniel, Smith, Craig, Mayer, David, Smith, Ian, Kopp, Steven, Meers, Joanne and Field, Hume (2017). Physiological stress and Hendra virus in flying-foxes (Pteropus spp.), Australia. PLoS One, 12 (8) e0182171, e0182171. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182171
De Clerck, C., Crew, K., Van den Houwe, I., McMichael, L., Berhal, C., Lassois, L., Haissam Jijakli, M., Roux, N., Thomas, J. and Massart, S. (2017). Lessons learned from the virus indexing of Musa germplasm: insights from a multiyear collaboration. Annals of Applied Biology, 17 (1), 15-27. doi: 10.1111/aab.12353
McMichael, Lee, Edson, Daniel, Mayer, David, Broos, Alice, Kopp, Steven, Meers, Joanne and Field, Hume (2017). Physiologic biomarkers and hendra virus infection in Australian black flying foxes (Pteropus alecto). Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 53 (1), 111-120. doi: 10.7589/2016-05-100
McMichael, Lee, Edson, Daniel, Mayer, David, McLaughlin, Amanda, Goldspink, Lauren, Vidgen, Miranda E., Kopp, Steven, Meers, Joanne and Field, Hume (2016). Temporal variation in physiological biomarkers in black flying-foxes (Pteropus alecto), Australia. EcoHealth, 13 (1), 49-59. doi: 10.1007/s10393-016-1113-0
Field, Hume, Jordan, David, Edson, Daniel, Morris, Stephen, Melville, Debra, Parry-Jones, Kerryn, Broos, Alice, Divljan, Anja, McMichael, Lee, Davis, Rodney, Kung, Nina, Kirkland, Peter and Smith, Craig (2015). Spatiotemporal aspects of Hendra virus infection in pteropid bats (flying-foxes) in Eastern Australia. PloS One, 10 (12) 144055, e0144055. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144055
McMichael, Lee, Edson, Daniel, McLaughlin, Amanda, Mayer, David, Kopp, Steven, Meers, Joanne and Field, Hume (2015). Haematology and plasma biochemistry of wild Black flying-foxes, (Pteropus alecto) in Queensland, Australia. PLoS One, 10 (5) e0125741, 1-13. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125741
Edson, Daniel, Field, Hume, McMichael, Lee, Jordan, David, Kung, Nina, Mayer, David and Smith, Craig (2015). Flying-fox roost disturbance and hendra virus spillover risk. PL o S One, 10 (5) e0125881, 1-16. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125881
Edson, D., Field, H., McMichael, L., Vidgen, M,, Goldspink, L., Broos, A,, Melville, D., Kristoffersen, J., de Jong, C., McLaughlin, A., Kung, N., Jordan, D,, Kirkland, P. and Smith, C. (2015). Routes of Hendra virus excretion in naturally-infected flying-foxes: implications for viral transmission and spill over risk. PLoS One, 10 (10) e0140670, e0140670. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140670
McMichael, Lee A., Edson, Daniel and Field, Hume (2014). Measuring physiological stress in Australian flying-fox populations. EcoHealth, 11 (3), 400-408. doi: 10.1007/s10393-014-0954-7
Davis, RI, Lomavatu-Fong, MF, McMichael, LA, Ruabete, TK, Kumar, S and Turaganivalu, U (2005). Cucumber mosaic virus infection of kava (Piper methysticum) and implications for cultural control of kava dieback disease. Australasian Plant Pathology, 34 (3), 377-384. doi: 10.1071/AP05050
Coutts, BA, McMichael, LA, Tesoriero, L, Rodoni, BC, Wilson, CR, Wilson, AJ, Persley, DM and Jones, RAC (2003). Iris yellow spot virus found infecting onions in three Australian states. Australasian Plant Pathology, 32 (4), 555-557. doi: 10.1071/AP03060
Davis, RI, Thomas, JE, McMichael, LA, Dietzgen, RG, Callaghan, B, James, AP, Gunua, TG and Rahamma, S (2002). Plant virus surveys on the island of New Guinea and adjacent regions of northern Australia. Australasian Plant Pathology, 31 (4), 385-390. doi: 10.1071/AP02047
McMichael, LA, Persley, DM and Thomas, JE (2002). A new tospovirus serogroup IV species infecting capsicum and tomato in Queensland, Australia. Australasian Plant Pathology, 31 (3), 231-239. doi: 10.1071/AP02016
Persley, DM, McMichael, L and Spence, D (2001). Detection of Peanut stripe virus in post-entry quarantine in Queensland. Australasian Plant Pathology, 30 (4), 377-377. doi: 10.1071/AP01051
Geering, ADW, McMichael, LA, Dietzgen, RG and Thomas, JE (2000). Genetic diversity among banana streak virus isolates from Australia (vol 90, pg 921, 2000). PHYTOPATHOLOGY, 90 (11), 1295-1295.
Geering, A. D. W., McMichael, L. A., Dietzgen, R. G. and Thomas, J. E. (2000). Genetic diversity among Banana streak virus isolates from Australia. Phytopathology, 90 (8), 921-927. doi: 10.1094/PHYTO.2000.90.8.921
McMichael, LA, Persley, DM and Thomas, JE (2000). The first record of a serotype IV tospovirus in Australia. Australasian Plant Pathology, 29 (2), 149-149. doi: 10.1071/AP00023
Conference Papers
McMichael, Lee (2023). Love of the night .. bats take flight. Australian Biospecimen Network Association, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 18-20 October 2023.
McMichael, Lee (2023). Threats to the endangered spectacled flying fox of wet tropics world heritage area. Wildlife Disease Association Australasian Section 2023 Conference, Bynoe, NT, Australia, 4 - 8 September 2023.
McMichael, Lee, Mclean, Jennefer, Taylor, Jim, Martinez, Yissu and Meers, Joanne (2022). Cleft palate syndrome of the endangered spectacled flying fox. 20th Australasian Bat Society Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11 - 13 April 2022.
McMichael, Lee , Ali, Asad , Smith, Craig and Meers, Joanne (2022). Immunosuppresive retrovirus in bats: implications for a virus reservoir species shedding zoonotic pathogens in Australia. One Health Downuner Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 12-13 September 2022.
McMichael, Lee (2021). Threats to the endangered Spectacled flying fox of Queensland's Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Wildlife Disease Association Australasian Section Queensland miniconference, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia, 7 November 2021.
McMichael, Lee, Smith, Craig and Meers, Joanne (2021). Novel retrovirus in Australian flying foxes: Part of the KoRV mystery or a threat to bats. Koala Retrovirus Symposium, Online, 25-27 May 2021.
McMichael, Lee (2019). Application of Bioinformatics to the study of viruses in Australian native wildlife. In: Workshop on bioinformatics for animal disease detection. Bioinformatics for Animal Disease Detection, Bogor, Indonesia, (). April 2019.
McMichael, Lee , Meers, Joanne , Kopp, Steven and Field, Hume (2018). Chronic physiological stress in Australian flying-foxes and Hendra virus. In: Australian Mammal Society Conference Proceedings. Australian mammal Society Conference, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, (). July 2018.
McMichael, Lee , Edson, Daniel , Mayer, David , Kopp, Steven , Meers, Joanne and Field, Hume (2015). Hendra virus infection of Black flying-foxes (Pteropus alecto): Assessment of nutritional and physiological drivers. In: Wildlife Disease Association International conference proceedings. Wildlife Disease Association International Conference, Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia, (). 26-30 July 2015.
McMichael, Lee , Edson, Daniel , Mclaughlin, Amanada , Kopp, Steven , Meers, Joanne and Field, Hume (2014). Hematology and biochemistry of black flying-foxes. Towards understanding population health and association with Hendra virus. Wildlife Disease Association Australasia Conference, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, ACT, Australia, September 2014.
McMichael, Lee, Meers, Joanne, Kopp, Steven and Field, Hume (2013). Physiological drivers of hendra virus excretion in black flying-foxes: a PhD study. Wildlife Disease Association Australasia Conference, Grampians, VIC Australia, September 2013.
Edson, Daniel, McMichael, Lee, Jordon, David and Field, Hume (2012). Flying fox dispersal and Hendra virus risk. Emerging Infectious Diseases Symposium, Geelong, VIC, Australia, 22-23 October 2012.
Edson, Daniel, McMichael, Lee and Field, Hume (2012). Flying fox dispersal, stress and Hendra virus risk. In: WDAA Annual Conference Proceedings. Wildlife Disease Association Australasia Conference, Stradbroke Island, QLD Australia, (). September 2012.
McMichael, Lee, Edson, Daniel and Field, Hume (2012). Measuring stress in wild Australian flying foxes. In: WDAA Annual Conference Proceedings 2012. Wildlife Disease Association Australasia Conference, Stradbroke Island, QLD Australia, (). September 2012.
McMichael, Lee, Coleman, Eric, Spence, David and Persley, Denis (2008). Detection and characterisation of viruses from sweet potato in Papua New Guinea and Queensland, Australia. 8th Australasian Plant Virology workshop, Lake Okataina, Rotorua, New Zealand, 19-22 November 2008.
Sharman, M., Persley, D., McMichael, L. and Thomas, J. (2007). Tospoviruses infecting capsicum and tomato in Australia. VIII International Symposium on Thysanoptera and Tospoviruses, Pacific Grove, California, September 11-15, 2005. TUCSON: UNIV ARIZONA. doi: 10.1673/031.007.2801
McMichael, Lee , Persley, Denis and Thomas, John (2001). Capsicum chlorosis tospovirus, a tospovirus serogroup IV species infecting capsicum and tomato in Queensland, Australia. In: 13th Biennial Conference of the Australasian plant Pathology Society, Cairns, Queensland, (). 24-27 September 2001.
Remans, T., Schenk, P. M., Elliot, A. R., Sagi, L., Geering, A. D., McMichael, L. A., Thomas, J.E., Swennen, R. L., Grof, C. P., Manners, J. and Ebert, P.R. (1999). Promoters from Australian Banana streak Badna-Virus (BSV) isolates drive transgene expression in Banana, Sugarcane and Tobacco. ComBio 99, Conrad Jupiters, Gold Coast, 27-30 September, 1999. Kent Town, SA: Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Thesis
McMichael, Lee Anne (2017). Physiological biomarkers of Hendra virus infection in Australian Flying-foxes (Pteropus spp.). PhD Thesis, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2017.871
Patent
Schenk, P. M. P., Sagi, L., Remy, S., Swennen, R. L., Dietzgen, R. G., Geering, A. D. W., McMichael, L. A. , Thomas, J. E. , Grof, C. P. L. and Elliott, A. R. (2002). Plant and viral promoters PMP Schenk, L Sagi, S Remy, RL Swennen, RG Dietzgen, ADW Geering, LA McMichael, JE Thomas, CPL Grof, AR Elliott. CSIRO, 2002. United States Patent US 6,391,639 B1.. US Patent 6,391,639 B1.
Data Collections
Linsky, Jake, Linsky, Jacob and McMichael, Lee (2023). Data for: A novel RT-qPCR health assay reveals differential expression of stress and immunoregulatory genes between the seasonal migrations of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/70000a6
McGowan, Alexandra, Seddon, Jenny, McMichael, Lee, Lanyon, Janet, McCarthy, Morgan Lee and Ooi, Vicky (2023). Dugong Microsatellite and SNP Genotypes. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/6735890