School of Veterinary Science

Dr Erika Meler

Senior Lecturer
School of Veterinary Science
+61 7 54601 249
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Researcher biography

Dr Erika MELER, DVM, IPSAV, CEAV, MSc, MVSc, Dipl ACVIM (SAIM), Dipl ECVIM-CA

Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Internal Medicine - Registered Veterinary Specialist

Erika graduated from the National Veterinary School of Lyon (France) in 2003 and continued her clinical training with a rotating internship at the University of Montreal in small animal medicine and surgery (Canada). She pursued her clinical training with a Certificate in advanced studies in internal medicine at the National Veterinary School of Nantes (France) which is equivalent to an Australian Membership. Then interested in laboratory research work, she completed a Master in Oncogenetics at the Medical School of Marseille (France) and worked on the side as veterinary general practitioner.

Erika who enjoys both clinical research and internal medicine practice, decided to take the experience to the next step further. In order to broaden her knowledge and competences in both fields she entered a combined Master in Veterinary Sciences and residency program in small animal internal medicine at the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (United States). She was awarded both her Master by the University of Purdue and her Certification in Small Animal Internal Medicine by the American College of Veterinary Medicine in 2010. During her Residency, Erika won the Osborne case report competition organized by the Phi Zeta Society which rewards the best case presentation of the year.

After her residency, Erika worked for about 3 years in one of the biggest emergency and referral private practices in Canada where she founded the internal medicine service. Erika has trained in her career many students, interns, veterinary nurses and mentored younger colleagues. She has given continuing education conferences and written numerous articles summaries for general practitioners. Having worked in both private and academic environments, she can prepare her students for both careers and understands the challenges of both types of practice.

Erika's academic activities encompass clinical teaching and management of referral cases in the department of small animal internal medicine at the University of Queensland Veterinary Medical Centre, classroom teaching for veterinary students in their 3d, 4th and 5th years and veterinary technology students in their 3d year of training, as well as research work bridging human as well as laboratory science and IT technology to clinical practice (so called collaborative and translational medicine). She has also an interest in developing business management field in veterinary medicine as well as innovative teaching methods for veterinary students and professionals.

Erika's clinical areas of interest are the use of new technologies in veterinary medicine such minimally-invasive techniques (including laser and stenting) in dogs.

Erika's research areas of interest are infectious diseases such as MRSA, MRSP, protozoal, viral and fungal diseases in pet companions.

Erika's teaching areas of interest are the development of new teaching methods in the veterinary clinical setting and the exploration of a new balance between economic needs of teaching hospitals and their educational goals.

Erika is definitively a team player and has an excellent track record in student supervision and graduation. Although veterinary oriented, these themes are also deeply translational so any colleague from a medical or educational background who would like to collaborate is very much welcome to make contact. Erika looks forward to work with any colleagues and students interested any of the themes listed above.

Publications

Journal Articles (18)
Conference Papers (20)

Journal Articles

Horsman, Sara, Meler, Erika, Mikkelsen, Deirdre, Mallyon, John, Yao, Hong, Soares Magalhães, Ricardo J. and Gibson, Justine S. (2023). Nasal microbiota profiles in shelter dogs with dermatological conditions carrying methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus species. Scientific Reports, 13 (1) 4844, 4844. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-31385-2
Rynhoud, Hester, Croton, Catriona, Henry, Grace, Meler, Erika, Gibson, Justine S. and Soares Magalhaes, Ricardo J. (2022). The effects of oclacitinib treatment on antimicrobial usage in allergic dogs in primary practice: an Australia wide case-control study. BMC Veterinary Research, 18 (1) 151, 1-9. doi: 10.1186/s12917-022-03255-y
Jacobson, Else, Meler, Erika N., Delisser, Peter J. and Thompson, Ann L. (2022). Cystoscopic-guided scissor transection of intramural ectopic ureters as a novel alternate minimally invasive treatment option to laser ablation in female dogs: 8 cases (2011-2020). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 260 (S2), S12-S20. doi: 10.2460/javma.21.03.0153
Rynhoud, Hester, Forde, Brian M., Beatson, Scott A., Abraham, Sam, Meler, Erika, Soares Magalhães, Ricardo J. and Gibson, Justine S. (2021). Molecular Epidemiology of Clinical and Colonizing Methicillin-Resistant Isolates in Companion Animals. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8 620491, 620491. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.620491
Rynhoud, Hester, Meler, Erika, Gibson, Justine S., Price, Rochelle, Maguire, Tina, Farry, Trisha, Bennett, Emma, Hartono, Josephine and Soares Magalhães, Ricardo J. (2021). Epidemiology of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus species carriage in companion animals in the Greater Brisbane Area, Australia. Research in Veterinary Science, 136, 138-142. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.02.012
Rynhoud, Hester, Gibson, Justine S., Meler, Erika and Soares Magalhães, Ricardo J. (2021). The association between the use of oclacitinib and antibacterial therapy in dogs with allergic dermatitis: a retrospective case-control study. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8 631443, 631443. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.631443
Horsman, Sara, Rynhoud, Hester, Zhou, Xiaoyan, Magalhaes, Ricardo J. Soares, Gibson, Justine S. and Meler, Erika (2021). Environmental recovery of Nosocomial bacteria in a companion animal shelter before and after infection control procedures. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7 608901, 608901. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.608901
Meler, Erika, Berent, Allyson C., Weisse, Chick and Dunn, Marilyn (2018). Treatment of congenital distal ureteral orifice stenosis by endoscopic laser ablation in dogs: 16 cases (2010-2014). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 253 (4), 452-462. doi: 10.2460/javma.253.4.452
Cook, Emily, Meler, Erika, Garrett, Katrina, Long, Hanna, Mak, King, Stephens, Carol and Thompson, Ann (2015). Disseminated Chrysosporium infection in a German shepherd dog. Medical Mycology Case Reports, 10, 29-33. doi: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2016.01.002
Meler, Erika N., Scott-Moncrieff, J. Catharine, Peter, Augustine T., Bennett, Sara, Ramos-Vara, Jose, Salisbury, S. Kathleen and Naughton, James F. (2011). Cyclic estrus-like behaviour associated with an excessive sex-hormone production from an adrenocortical carcinoma in a cat. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 13 (6), 473-478. doi: 10.1016/j.jfms.2011.02.002
Meler, Erika and Pressler, Barrak (2010). Research updates. Veterinary Medicine, 105 (11), 499-500.
Meler, Erika and Pressler, Barrak (2010). Giving glargine insulin to newly diagnosed diabetic cats may increase the likelihood of remission. Veterinary Medicine, 105 (9), 400-402.
Meler, Erika, Pressler, Barrak M., Heng, Hock Gan and Baird, Debra K. (2010). Diffuse cylindrical bronchiectasis due to eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy in a dog. Canadian Veterinary Journal, 51 (7), 753-756.
Meler, Erika and Pressler, Barrak (2010). Ascites validated as a powerful prognostic indicator in canine chronic hepatitis. Veterinary Medicine, 105 (2), 52-54.
Meler, Erika and Pressler, Barrak (2009). Investigating the impact of vaccine administration site changes in cats. Veterinary Medicine, 104 (10), 454-455.
Meler, Erika and Pressler, Barrale (2009). Antigen and antibody tests for diagnosing and monitoring blastomycosis in dogs. Veterinary Medicine, 104 (5)
Meler, Erika, Dunn, Marilyn and Lécuyer, Manon (2008). A retrospective study of canine persistent nasal disease: 80 cases (1998–2003). Canadian Veterinary Journal, 49 (1), 71-76.
Meler, E. and Hernandez, J. (2005). Hémangiosarcome de l'auricule droite traité par chirurgie et chimiothérapie chez un chien. Pratique Medicale et Chirurgicale de l'Animal de Compagnie, 40 (2), 81-89.

Conference Papers

Horsman, Sara, Zaugg, Julian, Mikkelsen, Deirdre, Soares Magalhaes, Ricardo J., Meler, Erika and Gibson, Justine S. (2024). Molecular epidemiological characteristics of Staphylococcus species cultured from clinical canine skin and ear samples in Queensland. Antimicrobials 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting, Sydney, NSW Australia, 15-17 February 2024.
Meler, Erika, Schull, Daniel, Kelly, Sarah and Richards, Russell (2023). Stock and flow modelling of a veterinary teaching hospital – How to better embed clinical teaching into patient flow. 25th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation MODSIM 2023, Darwin, NT Australia, 9-13 July 2023. Canberra, ACT Australia: Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand. doi: 10.36334/modsim.2023.meler
Meler, E., Schull, D. and Kelly, S. (2023). Challenges and tensions to clinical teaching in VTHs – results of a survey of clinical teachers and a review of the literature. AVA Conference, Adelaide, SA Australia, 27 May-2 June 2023.
Meler, E., Schull, D. and Kelly, S. (2023). Constraints to clinical teaching in veterinary teaching hospitals – what are the solutions?. VetEd DownUnder conference, Murdoch, WA Australia, 7-10 February 2023.
Horsman, Sara, Meler, Erika, Mikkelsen, Deirdre, Soares Magalhães, Ricardo J. and Gibson, Justine S. (2023). Identification and antimicrobial resistance of bacterial isolates cultured from clinical canine skin and ear samples in Queensland. Antimicrobials 2023 Annual Scientific Meeting, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 23-25 February 2023.
Horsman, S., Croton, C., Meler, E., Mikkelsen, D., Soares Magalhães, R. and Gibson, J. (2022). Uncovering the geographical associations between antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial usage in dogs treated with anti-pruritic therapies for pruritic skin and ear diseases through data linkage. Vet Compass Australia Symposium, Online, 16 August 2022.
Horsman, Sara, Meler, Erika, Mikkelsen, Deirdre, Gibson, Justine and Soares Magalhaes, Ricardo (2022). Geographical variation in antimicrobial resistance patterns of bacteria isolated from canine skin and ear samples in Queensland. Australian Society for Microbiology, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 11-14 July 2022.
Meler, Erika (2021). Tensions between clinical education and hospital operations in teaching hospitals. American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Virtual , 9-12 June 2021. Red Hook, NY, United States: Curran Associates .
Rynhoud, H., Forde, B.M., Beatson, S.A., Abraham, S., Meler, E., Soares Magalhães, R.J. and Gibson, J.S. (2021). Molecular epidemiology of clinical and colonising methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus isolates in companion animals. . Australian Society for Microbiology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 31 May-3 June 2021.
Horsman, S., Mikkelsen, D., Mallyon, J., Soares Magalhães, R.J. , Meler, E. and Gibson, J.S. (2021). Nasal microbiota diversity and abundance in shelter dogs carrying methicillin-resistant and -sensitive Staphylococcus species. Australian Society for Microbiology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 31 May-3 June 2021.
Meler, Erika, Schull, Dan, Smith, Karl and Kelly, Sarah (2020). How to better embed clinical teaching into practice operations within veterinary teaching hospitals?. Vet Down Under, Gatton campus, QLD, Australia, 11-13 February 2020.
Mack, Caitlin, Meler, Erika, Herndon, Aaron and Gibson, Justine (2019). Prevalence and antimicrobial sensitivity patterns of canine uropathogens in South East Queensland. Science Week of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 4-6 July 2019.
Rynhoud, H., Meler, E., Gibson, J., Price, R., Maguire, T., Farry, T. and Soares Magalhaes, R. (2019). Epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus species carriage in companion animals: analysis of 1062 samples taken between 2015 and 2017 in Queensland. Science Week of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 4-6 July 2019.
Meler, E., Schull, D., Smith, C. and Kelly, S. (2018). Can veterinary teaching hospitals be profitable?. VetEd DownUnder conference, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy campus, 13-14 February 2018.
Rynhoud, H., Meler, E., Gibson, J. and Soares Magalhaes, R. (2018). The epidemiology of Staphylococcus spp. carriage in dogs, cats and horses in the greater Brisbane area. 19th Annual Scientific meeting of the Australian Society for Antimicrobials, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 22-24 February 2018.
Anastassiadis, Z., Cook, E., Thompson, A., Herndon, A., McGhie, J. and Meler, E. (2017). Canine systemic toxoplasmosis in south east Queensland: a retrospective case series. Science Week of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 6-8 July 2017.
Meler, E., Magalhaes, R. S., Rochelle, R., Farry, T., Bennett, E., Maguire, T. and Gibson, J. (2017). Prevalence and phylogeography of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus spp. carriage in companion animals in Brisbane, Australia. American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum 2017, National Harbor, MD, United States, 8-9 June 2017. Hoboken, NJ United States: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/jvim.14778
Meler, E., Berent, A. C., Weisse, C. and Dunn, M. (2014). Treatment of congenital ureterovesicular junction stenosis by endoscopic laser-ablation in dogs: 10 cases (2010-2013). The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum, Nashville, Tennessee, 4-7 June 2014.
Guptill, L., Meler, E., Dunham, A., Li, Y. and Weese, J. S. (2011). Prevalence of methicillin-resistant coagulase positive Staphylococcus species colonization of pet dogs and cats. 2nd ASM-ESCMID Conference on Methicillin-resistant Staphylococci in Animals: Veterinary and Public Health Implications., Washington DC United States, 8-11 September 2011.
Meler, E., He, S., Dunham, A. and Guptill, L. (2010). Hospital Prevalence and Risk Factors for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Infections in Small Animals At the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (Puvth), 2006-2009. ACVIM Forum, Anaheim, CA, United States, 9-12 June 2010. Hoboken, NJ, United States: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2010.0521.x