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DrKate Worthing

(she/her)

Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Microbiology

Faculty of Science

Orcid identifier0000-0001-8713-7189 (opens in a new tab)⁠
  • Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Microbiology
    Faculty of Science

RESEARCH INTERESTs

Kate's research into veterinary infectious disease is underpinned by a One Health framework which strives to recognise the human, animal and environmental health aspects of infectious disease. Her current research focuses on:

  • Harnessing the skin microbiome to develop novel therapeutics for dogs and humans with skin disease
  • Surveillance and epidemiology of antimicrobial-resistant and zoonotic pathogens in Australian companion animals, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
  • Diagnosis and treatment of viral diseases of cats

She also has a growing interest in working with community partners to combine participatory research with high-end genomics to answer questions about zoonotic pathogens.

Kate's research aligns with the Faculty of Science Research Strength - Healthy Animals.

FUNDED RESEARCH

  • GRANT
    Evaluating bacteriophage and antimicrobial peptides as novel therapies for feline urinary tract infections
    Morris Animal Foundation (USA)1 Apr 2025
    People funded by this grant:
  • GRANT
    Genomic surveillance and Diagnosis of Australian cats with feline infectious peritonitis through next-generation sequencing approaches
    Office of Global and Research Engagement1 Jan 2025
    People funded by this grant:
    • Goodman LB,
    • Whittaker G,
    • Worthing K,
    • Olarte-Castillo XA,
    • Coggins S
  • GRANT
    Understanding Feline Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Australia
    Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation1 Jul 2023
    People funded by this grant:
    • Worthing K,
    • Ma G
  • GRANT
    Kill or be Killed: Antimicrobial peptide production by pathogenic and non-pathogenic skin bacteria in dogs and cats
    Sydney School of Veterinary Science (SSVS)1 Apr 2023
    People funded by this grant:
    • Worthing K
  • GRANT
    Vets and their pets: unravelling the transmission cycle of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus species in small animal practice
    Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation3 Jul 2017
    People funded by this grant:
  • GRANT
    Phenotypic expression of biocide tolerance in clinical veterinary Staphylococcus isolates: are our disinfectants working?
    Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation1 Jan 2016
    People funded by this grant:
  • GRANT
    Determining risk factors for development of a resistant post-operative infection with methicillin or multiresistant Staphyloccus.
    Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation1 Jan 2015
    People funded by this grant: