Anne A.M.J. Becker, DVM, MSc, PhD

Assistant Professor of Microbiology

Originally from Belgium, Dr. Anne Becker studied veterinary medicine at Ghent University, specializing in research with field projects in Ethiopia focusing on Zebu cattle health in eroded habitats. She completed thereafter a PhD in microbial ecology, with her research focusing on the diversity and dynamics of the gut microbiome of cheetahs and its implications for cheetah health and conservation. Dr. Becker joined RUSVM in 2016 as a post-doctorate fellow and continued studying diverse animal microbiomes and their role in animal conservation. She also has developed a special interest in coral microbial ecology. In 2017 she has been appointed Assistant Professor of Microbiology and is teaching the courses Bacteriology & Mycology, Principles of Infectious Diseases and Introduction to Microbiology.
She is also passionate about science communication, developed a course on Scientific writing and communication tailored to the students in the RUSVM program MSc One Health, and is regularly involved in different science outreach projects.

EDUCATION:

Doctor in Veterinary sciences (PhD)
Laboratory of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium
Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium

Master in Veterinary Sciences (DVM, MSc)
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium

Qualified Teachers Training for Higher Education (MSc)
Faculty of Psychology and Pedagogic Science, Ghent University, Belgium

CERTIFICATION

DVM, MSc, PhD

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My main research interest is microbial ecology, specifically animal microbiomes. Understanding how these microbes interact with their hosts will help us tackle a broad range of conservation challenges as well as improve strategies for safeguarding animal health.

animal microbiomes
microbial diversity and dynamics
host-microbe interactions
conservation biology
ecosystem functioning

Current projects:

Microbiome of invasive species on St Kitts (vervet monkeys, mongooses)
Coral microbial communities associated with diverse pathological macroscopic and microscopic lesions
Nutritional modulation of the vulture gut microbiome in captivity

PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS

Becker Anne AMJ, Rajeev S, Freeman MA, Beierschmitt A, Savinon V, Wulcan JM & Bolfa P. (2019). Extraintestinal Acanthocephalan Oncicola venezuelensis (Oligacanthorhynchidae) in Small Indian Mongooses (Herpestes auropunctatus) and African Green Monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus). Veterinary Pathology

Whitehouse-Tedd Katherine, Dierenfeld Ellen S, Becker Anne AMJ, Huys Geert, Depauw Sarah, Kerr Katherine R, Williams Jason, Janssens Geert PJ (2017). Nutritional Considerations for Captive Cheetahs. In: Cheetahs: Biology and Conservation. Editors: Laurie Marker, Lorraine Boast, Anne Schmidt-Kuentzel. ISBN: 978-01-2804-088-1

Becker AAMJ, Janssens GPJ, Snauwaert C, Hesta M, Huys G (2015) Integrated community profiling indicates long-term temporal stability of the predominant faecal microbiota in captive cheetahs. PloS One 10 e:0123933

Becker AAMJ, Hesta M, Hollants J, Janssens GPJ, Huys G (2014) Phylogenetic analysis of faecal microbiota from captive cheetahs reveals underrepresentation of Bacteroidetes and Bifidobacteriaceae. BMC Microbiology 14:43

Brinkman B, Becker A, Ayiseh R, Hildebrand F, Raes J, Huys G, Vandenabeele P (2013) Gut microbiota affects sensitivity to acute DSS-induced colitis independently of host genotype. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases 19, 2560-2567.