Dr Danila Marini
Internally Grant-Funded Research Fellow
School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
College of Science
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD (as Co-Supervisor) - email supervisor to discuss availability.
I have always had a passion for animals. My career goals ranged from veterinarian to zoo keeper through to jockey and dog groomer. However a fateful excursion to Adelaide University’s Agricultural campus, Roseworthy and to CSIROs Waite campus opened me up to the world of research. In 2013 I graduated from The University of Adelaide with a B. Animal Science and first class Honours.It was during my Honours year that my passion for livestock, particularly sheep, was ignited so I relocated myself to Armidale in NSW to complete a PhD at the University of New England in conjunction with the CSIRO. It was here that my expertise in animal behaviour and welfare grew, supported by brilliant scientists such as Dr. Caroline Lee, Dr. Alison Small, Professor Geoff Hinch and Dr. Fran Cowley.Since graduating I have been continuing my work in the animal behaviour and welfare field with a primary focus in livestock. My past work at CSIRO with the animal behaviour and welfare team had me leading projects that looked at pain mitigation in livestock as well as welfare assessment in sheep.Now working at the University of Adelaide I am looking to continue research in the animal behaviour and welfare space. My research interests include, looking at ways we can relieve pain and stress in livestock and ensuring that in a changing world with new technology that we use on farm doesn't negatively impact animal welfare. I am also interested in affective state work as well as the learning capabilities of livestock and the potential to develop training protocols that could allow them to have control over their welfare.
I'm an animal behaviour and welfare scientist with a primary focus in livestock and a passion for sheep. Now working with the Davies Livestock Research Center at the University of Adelaide I am continuing research in the livestock wellbeing space. My current projects include finding alternative weaner lamb management to improve welfare, pain mitigation for ewes undergoing laparoscopy and looking at producers barriers to adopting technology such as virtual fencing.
Past projects conducted at The University of New England and CSIRO had me leading reserach that looked at pain mitigation in livestock focusing on alternative delivery methods of pain relief as well as welfare assessment in sheep exposed to new technologies.
My research interests include, looking at ways we can relieve pain and stress in livestock and ensuring that in a changing world with new technology that we use doesn't negatively impact animal welfare. I am also interested in affective state work as well as the learning capabilities of livestock and the potential to develop training protocols that could allow them to have control over their welfare.
I am committed to working with the community and young scientists, I am happy to engage with programs that bring Science and Agriculture to the public. My current involvement includes Queers in Science (South Australia) and the Art4Agriculture's Paddock Pen Pals program.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 - ongoing | Grant Funded Researcher | University of Adelaide |
| 2021 - 2022 | Animal Ethics Executive Officer | Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation |
| 2020 - 2022 | Experimental Researcher | Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation |
| 2016 - 2020 | PostDoc | University of New England |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 - 2017 | University of New England | Australia | PhD |
| 2009 - 2013 | University of Adelaide | Australia | Bachelor of Science |
| Date | Title | Institution name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Low Stress Stock Handling | LSS Stockhandling School | Australia |
| — | ANZCCART ComPass Animal Welfare | ANZCCART | - |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Johnston, C. H., Marini, D., Musolino, S. T., Barratt, D. T., & Hutchinson, M. R. (2026). Feasibility and reliability of pressure algometry for mechanical nociceptive threshold quantification in lambs in a field environment. Frontiers in Pain Research, 7, 1696631-1-1696631-14. |
| 2025 | Marini, D., Kalinowski, T., & Small, A. (2025). Efficacy of a single central injection of lignocaine at the scrotal neck on the behavioural response of lambs to castration. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, 52(1), 83-89. Scopus1 |
| 2025 | Farr, R. J., Cowled, C., Rodrigues, C., Rootes, C. L., Campbell, D. L. M., Lee, C., . . . Marini, D. (2025). Circulating microRNA profiles are associated with acute pain and stress in castrated and tail docked lambs. Veterinary and Animal Science, 28, 100445. Scopus1 WoS1 |
| 2023 | Marini, D., Monk, J. E., Campbell, D. L. M., Lee, C., Belson, S., & Small, A. (2023). Sex impacts pain behaviour but not emotional reactivity of lambs following ring tail docking.. PeerJ, 11, e15092. Scopus4 WoS4 Europe PMC2 |
| 2022 | Marini, D., Cowley, F., Belson, S., & Lee, C. (2022). Comparison of virtually fencing and electrically fencing sheep for pasture management. Animal Production Science, 62(10-11), 1-6. Scopus13 WoS9 |
| 2022 | Kearton, T., Marini, D., Lee, C., & Cowley, F. C. (2022). The influence of observing a maternal demonstrator on the ability of lambs to learn a virtual fence. Animal Production Science, 62(5), 470-481. Scopus8 WoS5 |
| 2021 | Small, A., Marini, D., & Colditz, I. (2021). Local anesthetic delivered with a dual action ring and injection applicator reduces the acute pain response of lambs during tail docking. Animals, 11(8), 9 pages. Scopus9 WoS9 Europe PMC6 |
| 2021 | Campbell, D. L. M., Marini, D., Lea, J. M., Keshavarzi, H., Dyall, T. R., & Lee, C. (2021). The application of virtual fencing technology effectively herds cattle and sheep. Animal Production Science, 61(13), 1393-1402. Scopus35 WoS26 |
| 2021 | Marini, D., Colditz, I. G., & Lee, C. (2021). Can Lambs in Pain Identify Medicated Feed?. Frontiers in Animal Science, 2, 11 pages. Scopus4 WoS4 |
| 2020 | Marini, D., Kearton, T., Ouzman, J., Llewellyn, R., Belson, S., & Lee, C. (2020). Social influence on the effectiveness of virtual fencing in sheep. PeerJ, 8, 16 pages. Scopus26 WoS24 Europe PMC11 |
| 2020 | Kearton, T., Marini, D., Cowley, F., Belson, S., Keshavarzi, H., Mayes, B., & Lee, C. (2020). The Influence of Predictability and Controllability on Stress Responses to the Aversive Component of a Virtual Fence. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, 11 pages. Scopus30 WoS27 Europe PMC15 |
| 2020 | Verdon, M., Lee, C., Marini, D., & Rawnsley, R. (2020). Pre-exposure to an electrical stimulus primes associative pairing of audio and electrical stimuli for dairy heifers in a virtual fencing feed attractant trial. Animals, 10(2), 18 pages. Scopus34 WoS30 Europe PMC15 |
| 2019 | Marini, D., Cowley, F., Belson, S., & Lee, C. (2019). The importance of an audio cue warning in training sheep to a virtual fence and differences in learning when tested individually or in small groups. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 221, 7 pages. Scopus29 WoS26 |
| 2019 | Kearton, T., Marini, D., Cowley, F., Belson, S., & Lee, C. (2019). The effect of virtual fencing stimuli on stress responses and behavior in sheep. Animals, 9(1), 19 pages. Scopus33 WoS29 Europe PMC15 |
| 2018 | Marini, D., Meuleman, M. D., Belson, S., Rodenburg, T. B., Llewellyn, R., & Lee, C. (2018). Developing an ethically acceptable virtual fencing system for sheep. Animals, 8(3), 9 pages. Scopus48 WoS42 Europe PMC23 |
| 2018 | Small, A. H., Marini, D., le Floch, M., Paull, D., & Lee, C. (2018). A pen study evaluation of buccal meloxicam and topical anaesthetic at improving welfare of lambs undergoing surgical mulesing and hot knife tail docking. Research in Veterinary Science, 118, 270-277. Scopus18 WoS15 Europe PMC12 |
| 2018 | Small, A. H., Marini, D., Dyall, T., Paull, D., & Lee, C. (2018). A randomised field study evaluating the effectiveness of buccal meloxicam and topical local anaesthetic formulations administered singly or in combination at improving welfare of female Merino lambs undergoing surgical mulesing and hot knife tail docking. Research in Veterinary Science, 118, 305-311. Scopus26 WoS21 Europe PMC16 |
| 2018 | Marini, D., Llewellyn, R., Belson, S., & Lee, C. (2018). Controlling within-field sheep movement using virtual fencing. Animals, 8(3), 11 pages. Scopus60 WoS54 Europe PMC22 |
| 2017 | Hunter, D., Hazel, S. J., Kind, K. L., Liu, H., Marini, D., Giles, L., . . . Gatford, K. (2017). Effects of induced placental and fetal growth restriction, size at birth and early neonatal growth on behavioural and brain structural lateralization in sheep. Laterality, 22(5), 560-589. Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC3 |
| 2017 | Marini, D., Colditz, I. G., Hinch, G., Petherick, J. C., & Lee, C. (2017). Self-administration by consumption of flunixin in feed alleviates the pain and inflammation associated with castration and tail docking of lambs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 188, 26-33. Scopus19 WoS16 |
| 2016 | Marini, D., Pippia, J., Colditz, I. G., Hinch, G. N., Petherick, C. J., & Lee, C. (2016). Palatability and pharmacokinetics of flunixin when administered to sheep through feed. PeerJ, 4(3), 12 pages. Scopus11 WoS12 Europe PMC7 |
| 2015 | Hunter, D., Hazel, S., Kind, K., Liu, H., Marini, D., Owens, J., . . . Gatford, K. (2015). Do I turn left or right? Effects of sex, age, experience and exit route on maze test performance in sheep. Physiology and Behavior, 139, 244-253. Scopus27 WoS23 Europe PMC14 |
| 2015 | Hunter, D., Hazel, S., Kind, K., Liu, H., Marini, D., Giles, L., . . . Gatford, K. (2015). Placental and foetal growth restriction, size at birth and neonatal growth alter cognitive function and behaviour in sheep in an age- and sex-specific manner. Physiology & Behavior, 152(A), 1-10. Scopus12 WoS11 Europe PMC7 |
| 2015 | Marini, D., Pippia, J., Colditz, I. G., Hinch, G. G. N., Petherick, C. J., & Lee, C. (2015). Palatability of flunixin and pharmacokinetics when administered to sheep through feed. |
| 2015 | Marini, D., Pippia, J., Colditz, I. G., Hinch, G., Petherick, J. C., & Lee, C. (2015). Randomised trial of the bioavailability and efficacy of orally administered flunixin, carprofen and ketoprofen in a pain model in sheep. Australian Veterinary Journal, 93(8), 265-270. Scopus13 WoS12 Europe PMC7 |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Johnston, C. H., Evans, S., Marini, D., Barratt, D. T., Mustafa, S., Agne, G. F., & Hutchinson, M. R. (2026). Pain in 4D: How Do Early Life Events Create Susceptibilities to Pain. In R. E. Clutten, & G. C. Musk (Eds.), Pain and Suffering in Farmed Animals: First Steps in Better Understanding and Management (pp. 137-162). Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland. DOI |
| 2026 | Marini, D., & Small, A. (2026). Sheep. In Pain and Suffering in Farmed Animals First Steps in Better Understanding and Management (pp. 279-314). Springer Nature Switzerland. DOI |
| 2026 | Small, A., & Marini, D. (2026). Cattle. In Pain and Suffering in Farmed Animals First Steps in Better Understanding and Management (pp. 237-277). Springer Nature Switzerland. DOI |
| 2026 | Marini, D., & Small, A. (2026). Pain and Suffering in Farmed Animals First Steps in Better Understanding and Management Sheep. In G. C. Musk, & R. E. Clutton (Eds.), PAIN AND SUFFERING IN FARMED ANIMALS (pp. 279-314). SPRINGER INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING AG. DOI |
| 2026 | Small, A., & Marini, D. (2026). Pain and Suffering in Farmed Animals First Steps in Better Understanding and Management Cattle. In G. C. Musk, & R. E. Clutton (Eds.), PAIN AND SUFFERING IN FARMED ANIMALS (pp. 237-277). SPRINGER INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING AG. DOI |
| 2023 | Marini, D., Muleman, D., Belson, S., Rodenburg, B., & Lee, C. (2023). Development of an ethical virtual fencing system for sheep. In Proceedings of the 51st Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology: Understanding Animal behaviour (pp. 159). |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Marini, D., Pippia, J., Colditz, I. G., Hinch, G. G. N., Petherick, C. J., & Lee, C. (2015). Palatability of flunixin and pharmacokinetics when administered to sheep through feed. DOI |
Since beginning my role at Adelaide University, I have been a part of the Livestock pain mitigation project with Mark Hutchinson at the College of Health (previously Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences) and SARDI Virtual Fencing project. I have also contributed to supervising students and participating in teaching roles. During 2024/25 I established my own research projects and helped secure over $4M in funding.
External Research Funding
Total funds granted over the past 5 years = $4,341,109
| Role | Year | Funding source (type); Category; Total number of CIs | Amount |
|
Chief Investigator (UofA Lead) |
2025 | Meat & Livestock Australia; Cat 1; 5 CIs | $1,559,015 |
| Key Personnel | 2026 | Meat & Livestock Australia; Cat 1; 4 CIs | $2,721,094 |
|
Chief Investigator (UofA) |
2023 | South Australian Drought Hub; Cat 2; 3 CIs |
$21,000
|
Internal Grants
| Role | Year | Funding source; Total number of CIs | Amount |
| Sole | 2025 | Early-Mid Career Researcher Grant, Faculty of Science, Engineering, and Technology | $10,000 |
| Sole | 2024 | JS Davies Bequest, Davies Livestock Research Centre | $40,648.51 |
| CI -A | 2024 | JS Davies Bequest, Davies Livestock Research Centre; 2 CIs | $ 27,068.42 |
| CI -B | 2024-25 | JS Davies Bequest, Davies Livestock Research Centre; 3 CIs | $ 296,771.51 |
I currently teach into Animal and Veterinary Science courses as a demonstrator and guest lecturer. I am available for CRP projects.
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Program | Degree Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Co-Supervisor | The physiological impacts of virtual fencing on sheep and cattle in South Australia. | Doctor of Philosophy | Doctorate | Part Time | Miss Megan Beth Willis |
Connect With Me
External Profiles
Available For Media Comment.