Staff Profile

Introduction

I am currently employed as an Animal Science Technical Team Leader based at Cockle Park farm one of the two NU Farms sites. https://www.ncl.ac.uk/nu-smart-farms/ I support animal based research projects mainly agricultural health and welfare.

My team's key functions are:

• Manage and maintain animal research facilities and equipment (Cockle Park farm)
• SAgE/ SNES link with Comparative Biology Centre 
• Provide technical support for animal-based projects within animal research facilities and oversight of other SAgE/ SNES animal research activities
• Support for ethical applications for animal-based research and teaching
• Promote appropriate use of animals including 3Rs (reduction, replacement and refinement), acquisition, accomodation and care
• Support/ advise about husbandry, practicalities and training and competency requirements for animal- based projects

I have previously held a number of other roles at Newcastle University including as a Biological teaching technician, supporting the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences based in Ridley building 2. I primarily supported delivery of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught laboratory classes across Biology, Marine and Agriculture modules. I was previously employed as a research technician on two animal welfare (pig) projects. One focusing on detection and alleviation of pain during standard husbandry procedures and the other on early detection of health and welfare in commercial settings. I have completed a secondment as Laboratory technician in Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering. I have also worked in the Institute of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medical Sciences as a research assistant working on behavioural pharmacology projects. 

Qualifications:

MChem Chemistry Hons (Medicinal and Biological with Industrial Experience) - University of Edinburgh

Level 5 Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector

IAT Level 3 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science and Technology - working towards

IAT Level 2 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science and Technology  - complete (Distinction in all units)

IAT Accredited Training course in Role of Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer, NACWO

Home Office Module 4 (Now C)

Home Office Module 1-3 (Now AB)

City and Guilds Level 5 Award for Professional Recognition (Leadership and Management) - through University Professional Services Development Programme. 

NCRQ Level 3 Award Safety for Managers

• Articles

  • Di Giminiani P, Nasirahmadi A, Malcolm EM, Leach MC, Edwards SA. Docking piglet tails: How much does it hurt and for how long?. Physiology and Behaviour 2017, 182, 69-76.
  • Di Giminiani P, Edwards SA, Malcolm EM, Leach MC, Herskin MS, Sandercock DA. Characterization of short- and long-term mechanical sensitisation following surgical tail amputation in pigs. Scientific Reports 2017, 7, 4827.
  • Di Giminiani P, Brierley VLMH, Scollo A, Gottardo F, Malcolm EM, Edwards SA, Leach MC. The Assessment of Facial Expressions in Piglets Undergoing Tail Docking and Castration: Toward the Development of the Piglet Grimace Scale. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2016, 3, 100.
  • Wood C, Kohli S, Malcolm E, Allison C, Shoaib M. Subtype-selective nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists can improve cognitive flexibility in an attentional set shifting task. Neuropharmacology 2016, 105, 106-113.
  • DiGiminiani P, Sandercock DA, Malcolm EM, Leach MC, Herskin MS, Edwards SA. Application of a handheld Pressure Application Measurement device for the characterisation of mechanical nociceptive thresholds in intact pig tails. Physiology & Behavior 2016, 165, 119-126.
  • Silveira MM, Malcolm E, Shoaib M, Winstanley CA. Scopolamine and amphetamine produce similar decision-making deficits on a rat gambling task via independent pathways. Behavioural Brain Research 2015, 281, 86-95.
  • Malcolm E, Carroll FI, Blough B, Damaj MI, Shoaib M. Examination of the metabolite hydroxybupropion in the reinforcing and aversive stimulus effects of nicotine in rats. Psychopharmacology 2015, 232(15), 2763-2771.

• Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstracts)

  • Di Giminiani P, Malcolm EL, Leach MC, Herskin MS, Sandercock DA, Edwards SA. Temporal changes in mechanical nociceptive thresholds in juvenile pigs subjected to surgical tail amputation: a model of injury induced by tail biting. In: 24th International Pig Veterinary Society Congress. 2016, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Di Giminiani P, Sandercock DA, Malcolm EL, Leach MC, Edwards SA. Assessment of immediate and long-term changes in pain sensitivity following tail-docking in pigs. In: RSPCA/AHVLA Meeting on Welfare of Agricultural Animals in Research. 2015, England, UK.
  • Rushforth S, Malcolm EL, Smith LN, Lesage ASJ, Steckler T, Shoaib M. Targeting the alpha7 nicotinic receptor subtype to restore working memory deficits in rats following sub-chronic ketamine exposure. In: European Neuropsychopharmacology: European College of Neuropsychopharmacology Workshop on Neuropsychopharmacology for Young Scientists in Europe. 2011, Nice, France: Elsevier BV.
  • Rushforth S, Malcolm EL, Smith LN, Lesage ASJ, Steckler T, Shoaib M. Targeting the alpha7 nicotinic receptor subtype to restore working memory deficits in rats following sub-chronic ketamine exposure. In: European Neuropsychopharmacology: 24th Congress Meeting of European College of Neuropsychopharmacology. 2011, Paris, France: Elsevier BV.
  • Malcolm E, Wood C, Shoaib M. Sub-chronic ketamine exposure disrupts cognitive flexibility in a rodent attentional set shifting task. In: International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology: 27th CINP Congress Meeting. 2010, Hong Kong: Cambridge University Press.
  • Rushforth SI, Malcolm EL, Steckler T, Shoaib M. Nicotinic agonists but not clozapine or LY404039 improve ketamine-induced deficits in a rodent odour span task. In: Journal of Psychopharmacology: Summer Meeting of the British Association for Psychopharmacology. 2010, Harrogate, UK: Sage Publications Ltd.
  • Smith LN, Rushforth S, Malcolm E, Shoaib M. Choline restores kenamine-induced working memory deficits in the rodent odour span task. In: Journal of Psychopharmacology: Summer Meeting of the British Association for Psychopharmacology. 2010, Harrogate, UK: Sage Publications Ltd.