Teaching Strengths
Mr Sandy MCLACHLAN
Associate Professor
School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
College of Science
Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.
In 2023 I joined the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences (SAVS), bringing 32 years of experience in mixed veterinary practice, academia, diagnostic laboratories, government and industry. My role in SAVS comprises a balance of research, teaching and clinical service in the Roseworthy Veterinary Hospital's Pathology Laboratory.The constant themes of my career have been improving the health of farm animals, protecting public health and enhancing food security. Subthemes include veterinary pathology, pathogenesis of infectious diseases, immunology, laboratory diagnostics, vaccinology and biosecurity. My experiences have given me unique skills and perspectives about how emerging scientific knowledge and advanced technologies can be applied systematically to deliver solutions that have real world impact.
I am a member of several professional organizations, including the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, the New Zealand Society for Veterinary Pathology, and the Australian Society for Veterinary Pathology. I also serve as a trustee for the Massey University Foundation, Wildbase Research Trust.
| Date | Position | Institution name |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 - ongoing | Associate Professor | The University of Adelaide |
| 2023 - 2023 | Head of Diagnostic Services (Veterinary Pathology) | Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department |
| 2015 - 2023 | Technical Services Manager / Veterinary Pathologist | Pacificvet Ltd |
| 2014 - 2015 | Principal Veterinary Officer | Ministry of Agriculture |
| 2008 - 2014 | Veterinary Anatomic Pathologist | New Zealand Veterinary Pathology |
| 2007 - 2008 | Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Pathology | Murdoch University |
| 2004 - 2007 | Lecturer in Veterinary Pathology | Murdoch University |
| 2002 - 2003 | Assistant Professor | University of Minnesota |
| 1991 - 1997 | Veterinarian | Mixed practice |
| Language | Competency |
|---|---|
| English | Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review |
| German | Can read and understand spoken |
| Date | Institution name | Country | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 - 2001 | Massey University | New Zealand | PhD |
| 1986 - 1990 | Massey University | New Zealand | BVSc |
| Date | Title | Institution name | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Diplomate ACVP (Anatomic Pathology) | American College of Veterinary Pathologists | United States |
| 2004 | MACVSc (Veterinary Pathology) | Australian College of Veterinary Scientists | - |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Teng, J., Yeo, V., MCLACHLAN, S., & Teo, T. (2026). Chlamydia psittaci infection in a human following exposure to infected equine material. Clinical Infectious Diseases. |
| 2025 | McLachlan, A. D., & Woolford, L. (2025). Equine abortion due to Chlamydia psittaci in South Australia with zoonotic transmission. Australian Veterinary Journal, 103(12), 902-905. |
| 2016 | Hanlon, D. W., McLachlan, A. D., & Gibson, I. (2016). The first reported case of equine Nocardioform placentitis in New Zealand. NEW ZEALAND VETERINARY JOURNAL, 64(3), 198-199. WoS6 Europe PMC4 |
| 2015 | Milnes, E. L., & McLachlan, A. (2015). Surgical management of small intestinal intussusception associated with jejunal adenocarcinoma in a dairy cow. NEW ZEALAND VETERINARY JOURNAL, 63(5), 288-290. WoS3 Europe PMC2 |
| 2015 | McLachlan, A., & Angus, S. (2015). The pathogenic haemoparasite of cattle Theileria orientalis Ikeda is not present in Fiji. Fiji Agricultural Journal, 55(1), 11-15. |
| 2015 | McLachlan, A., & Angus, S. (2015). Rationale for suspension of live cattle imports from Australia and New Zealand to prevent introduction of the pathogenic blood borne parasite Theileria orientalis Ikeda to Fiji: qualitative risk assessment. Fiji Agricultural Journal, 55(1), 25-28. |
| 2009 | Desport, M., Tenaya, I. W. M., McLachlan, A., McNab, T. J., Rachmat, J., Hartaningsih, N., & Wilcox, G. E. (2009). In vivo infection of IgG-containing cells by Jembrana disease virus during acute infection. Virology, 393(2), 221-227. Scopus8 WoS5 Europe PMC3 |
| 2009 | McGill, S., Lester, N., McLachlan, A., & Mansfield, C. (2009). Concurrent sialocoele and necrotising sialadenitis in a dog. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 50(3), 151-156. Scopus45 WoS33 Europe PMC26 |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2010 | McLachlan, A., & Desport, M. (2010). The Bovine Lentiviruses: Pathogenesis and Cell Tropism.. In M. Desport (Ed.), Lentiviruses and Macrophages: Molecular and Cellular Interactions (pp. 307-327). Caister Academic Press. |
| 2008 | McLachlan, A. (2008). Cutaneous Myiasis of Sheep and Goats.. In S. R. Haskell (Ed.), Blackwell’s Five-minute Veterinary Consult: Ruminant (pp. 272-273). Wiley-Blackwell. |
| 2008 | McLachlan, A. (2008). Facial Eczema. In S. R. Haskell (Ed.), Blackwell’s Five-minute Veterinary Consult: Ruminant (1 ed., pp. 341-343). Wiley-Blackwell. |
| 2008 | McLachlan, A. (2008). Mites of Sheep and Goats. In S. R. Haskell (Ed.), Blackwell’s Five-minute Veterinary Consult: Ruminant (1 ed.). Wiley-Blackwell. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Manfredi, R., Tollefson, T., Bury, C., O'Handley, R., & MCLACHLAN, A. (2026). Chronic encephalitozoonosis in an adult dog.. In None. Gold Coast. |
| 2026 | Peaston, A., Auricht, R., Hickey, T., Peters, M., MCLACHLAN, S., Birrell, S., & Tilley, W. (2026). First-in-Dog (FiDo) Cancer Initiative review. In None. Gold Coast. |
| 2026 | MCLACHLAN, S., Warrick, S., Bradford, B., Messele, Y., Wenham, K., Boyce, T., & Caetano, M. (2026). Combining bromoform with a phytogenic compound enhances tissue cellular integrity in beef cattle.. In Proceedings of the 36th Biennial Conference of the Australian Association of Animal Sciences Volume 36 Vol. 36 (pp. 77). Adelaide. |
| 2024 | Woolford, L., McLachlan, A., & Botes, C. (2024). The first case of equine abortion due to Chlamydia psittaci diagnosed in South Australia and the first horse to human zoonotic transmission confirmed by real-time PCR. In Abstracts of the Australian Society for Veterinary Pathology and Davis-Thompson Foundation Scientific Conference (ASVP & DTF, 2024) (pp. 51). Adelaide, South Australia: Australian Society for Veterinary Pathology and Davis-Thompson Foundation. |
| 2023 | McLachlan, A. (2023). Vaccination of naïve pullets in the face of challenge by EDS virus.. In Australasian Veterinary Poultry Association, Scientific Meeting Proceedings, Queenstown New Zealand, 30-31 October 2023 (pp. 32). Queenstown, New Zealand. |
| 2016 | MCLACHLAN, S. (2016). NZ Infectious Bronchitis Survey. In None. Wellington. |
| 2013 | MCLACHLAN, S. (2013). Theileriosis in cattle: a new disease presentation from a laboratory perspective.. In None. Hamilton, NZ. |
| 2012 | McLachlan, A., & Black, A. (2012). Bovine protoporphyria in Limousin calves: first cases in New Zealand.. In Proceedings of the 37th Conference of the New Zealand Society for Veterinary Pathology, in the New Zealand Veterinary Journal Vol. 60 (pp. 264). Palmerston North, New Zealand. |
| 2012 | MCLACHLAN, S. (2012). Haemochromatosis in a donkey. In None. Palmerston North, NZ. |
| 2011 | McLachlan, A. (2011). New Zealand Veterinary Pathology deer cases: Summary of 2010 and 2011 seasons.. In Proceedings of the Deer Branch of the New Zealand Veterinary Association. New Zealand Veterinary Association. |
| 2011 | MCLACHLAN, S. (2011). Fulminant PCV2 in Welsh saddleback piglets.. In None. Palmerston North, NZ. |
| 2010 | MCLACHLAN, S. (2010). Major Mitchell's death.. In None. Palmerston North, NZ. |
| 2008 | Carr, J., O'Dea, M., Wilcox, G., & McLachlan, A. (2008). The superficial inguinal lymph node of the pig and PCV2. In Proceedings of the 20th International Pig Veterinary Society Congress. Durban, South Africa: International Pig Veterinary Society. |
| 2003 | MCLACHLAN, S. (2003). Cervine tuberculosis.. In None. Lethbridge, AB, Canada. |
| 2003 | MCLACHLAN, S. (2003). Congenital joint laxity and dwarfism of beef calves: a case report.. In None. Minneapolis, MN, USA. |
| 1999 | MCLACHLAN, S., Lumsden, J., Stowell, K., & Murray, A. (1999). A secreted protein antigen of M. bovis the is recognized by T-cells from BCG vaccinated cattle.. In None. Dunedin, NZ. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Teng, J., Yeo, V., Teo, T., & MCLACHLAN, S. (2026). Chlamydia psittaci infection in a human following exposure to infected equine material. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases Zoonosis Conference. Brisbane. |
| 2024 | McLachlan, A. (2024). Foal abortion due to Chlamydia psittaci and subsequent zoonotic infection.. Poster session presented at the meeting of National Veterinary Pathology Rounds. Online. |
| 2006 | McLachlan, A., & Raidal, S. (2006). Muscovy duck - avian borelliosis (H05-0326 [AFIP2983869]). Poster session presented at the meeting of Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Wednesday Slide Conference. Washington DC. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2024 | MCLACHLAN, S., Bates, C., Christensen, N., & Mulqueen, K. (2024). Evaluation and review of the Infectious Bursal Disease Surveillance Programme. |
| Year | Citation |
|---|---|
| 2001 | MCLACHLAN, S. (2001). Identification and characterization of an 8.4 kDa protein antigen of Mycobacterium bovis.. (PhD Thesis, Massey University). |
- Title:Development of a novel in-field test for rapid diagnosis of mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in pigs
- Funding scheme:FND000507: APL - Research and Innovation Open Tenders
- Description:Abattoir studies have found Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (MHP) in 73% of pigs affected by Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex (PRDC) (NSW DPI (2025)). Despite this high prevalence of MHP infections, the epidemiology and transmission patterns of MHP infection on farms remain unclear because it is difficult and expensive to diagnose MHP in live animals. Almost all diagnostic approaches for MHP infection are based on PCR, which requires expensive laboratory infrastructure, equipment, reagents, and qualified personnel. Additional limiting factors are the logistics of sending samples to a lab and the delayed turnaround time to get results. A rapid and accurate on-site test would enhance timely pig health management. We propose building on the unique archive of MHP isolates from our previous APL-funded project (2021/0025) to develop a rapid on-site antigen test for MHP using the familiar and robust Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) technology as used for COVID RAT tests. A cost-effective MHP-LFA that can be performed on a farm is a game changer for farm managers and veterinarians because it becomes feasible to monitor for infection on an ongoing basis. Not only can infection be diagnosed in diseased pigs, but early detection of MHP infection in individual pigs, pens, barns, or herds would provide valuable data about the prevalence and distribution of infection before the pigs show signs of disease. With timely knowledge about the current epidemiology and transmission patterns of subclinical infection, managers and veterinarians can intervene to minimize economic losses and make more informed decisions about the subsequent management of the herd, e.g., treatment, culling, and biosecurity. An MHP-LFA would be a new tool for the industry that directly addresses APL’s Strategic Theme: Manage Volatility for Viable Farms, Sub-strategy: Reduce cost of production and processing, improved herd health, improved HFC and welfare, and Sub-strategy: Endemic disease foresight.
- Funder:Australian Pork Limited (APL)
- Funder reference:2025/0141
- Investigators:Hemmatzadeh F; Trott D; McLachlan A; Chia T; Jozani R; Kearslake T
- Title:Development of a novel in-field test for rapid diagnosis of mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in pigs
- Funding scheme:FND000507: APL - Research and Innovation Open Tenders
- Description:Abattoir studies have found Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (MHP) in 73% of pigs affected by Porcine Respiratory Disease Complex (PRDC) (NSW DPI (2025)). Despite this high prevalence of MHP infections, the epidemiology and transmission patterns of MHP infection on farms remain unclear because it is difficult and expensive to diagnose MHP in live animals. Almost all diagnostic approaches for MHP infection are based on PCR, which requires expensive laboratory infrastructure, equipment, reagents, and qualified personnel. Additional limiting factors are the logistics of sending samples to a lab and the delayed turnaround time to get results. A rapid and accurate on-site test would enhance timely pig health management. We propose building on the unique archive of MHP isolates from our previous APL-funded project (2021/0025) to develop a rapid on-site antigen test for MHP using the familiar and robust Lateral Flow Assay (LFA) technology as used for COVID RAT tests. A cost-effective MHP-LFA that can be performed on a farm is a game changer for farm managers and veterinarians because it becomes feasible to monitor for infection on an ongoing basis. Not only can infection be diagnosed in diseased pigs, but early detection of MHP infection in individual pigs, pens, barns, or herds would provide valuable data about the prevalence and distribution of infection before the pigs show signs of disease. With timely knowledge about the current epidemiology and transmission patterns of subclinical infection, managers and veterinarians can intervene to minimize economic losses and make more informed decisions about the subsequent management of the herd, e.g., treatment, culling, and biosecurity. An MHP-LFA would be a new tool for the industry that directly addresses APL’s Strategic Theme: Manage Volatility for Viable Farms, Sub-strategy: Reduce cost of production and processing, improved herd health, improved HFC and welfare, and Sub-strategy: Endemic disease foresight.
- Funder:Australian Pork Limited (APL)
- Funder reference:2025/0141
- Investigators:Hemmatzadeh F; Trott D; McLachlan A; Chia T; Jozani R; Kearslake T
DVM3 Pathology & Diagnostic Services Rotations, VETS6016 & VETS6017. Courses Coordinator.
| Date | Role | Research Topic | Location | Program | Supervision Type | Student Load | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 - ongoing | Co-Supervisor | Transcriptomic analysis of pig lung samples infected with Mycoplasma hyopneumonia | Adelaide University | - | Doctorate | - | Elahe Soltani |
| Date | Topic | Location | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 - ongoing | DVM1 Clinical Research Project. Case Report: Acute fulminant bronchopneumonia and sepsis in a dog due to Acinetobacter baumannii. | School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, Adelaide University | Ebony Perry and Tahlia Malins |
| 2025 - ongoing | DVM1 Clinical Research Project. Case Report: Encephalitozoon cuniculi in an adult dog. | School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, University of Adeliade | Renae Manfredi & Tuuli Tollefsen |
| Date | Role | Membership | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 - ongoing | Member | Australian Society for Veterinary Pathology | Australia |
| 2016 - ongoing | Member | Australasian Veterinary Poultry Association | Australia |
| 2009 - ongoing | Member | New Zealand Society for Veterinary Pathology | New Zealand |
| 2007 - ongoing | Member | American College of Veterinary Pathologists | United States |
| Date | Title | Engagement Type | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 - ongoing | Trustee | - | Massey University Foundation, Wildbase Research Trust | New Zealand |
| Date | Institution | Department | Organisation Type | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 - ongoing | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations | Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific | Farming and related | Samoa |
| Date | Office Name | Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 - ongoing | Academic lead | Roseworthy Veterinary Hospital - Pathology | Australia |
| 2014 - 2015 | Secretary | Fiji Veterinary Association | Fiji |
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