Education

PhD, University of KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa), 2008

MSc, University of Pretoria (South Africa), 2001

BVSc (DVM equivalent), University of Pretoria (South Africa), 1998

Research Interest

Laboratory and on-farm evaluation of approaches to manage anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants, cattle, and horses

Teaching Interest

Veterinary parasitology for veterinary and animal science students 

Clinical Interest

Clinical parasitology of livestock and companion animals   

Awards & Honors

2023, Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award

2023, LSU Vet Med Year II Faculty Teaching Award

2006, 1st runner-up, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute Young Scientist Award

2004, Young Veterinarian of the Year Award of the South African Veterinary Association

2001, Student Representative Council Academic Honorary Colours, University of Pretoria

2001, Certificate for being the most supportive person in the Parasitology Division, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute

Publications

GEORGE, M.M., VATTA, A.F., HOWELL, S.B., STOREY, B.E., McCOY, C.J., WOLSTENHOLME, A.J., REDMAN, E.M., GILLEARD, J.S., KAPLAN, R.M., 2021. Evaluation of changes in drug susceptibility and population genetic structure in Haemonchus contortus following worm replacement as a means to reverse the impact of multiple-anthelmintic resistance on a sheep farm. International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance, 15, 134–143. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33667995/

PATIAL, S., DELCAMBRE, B.A., DIGERONIMO, P.M., CONBOY, G., VATTA, A.F., BAUER, R. (2021). Verminous meningoencephalomyelitis in a red kangaroo associated with Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 1–5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34382472/

VATTA, A.F., YOUNG, D.R., KING, V.L., MYERS, M.R., 2019. Comparative efficacy of topical treatments with Revolution® Plus (selamectin and sarolaner) and Bravecto® for Cats (fluralaner) against Ixodes scapularis ticks on cats. Veterinary Parasitology, 270, S58–S63. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31182302/

VATTA, A.F., KING, V.L., YOUNG, D.R., CHAPIN, S., 2019. Efficacy of three consecutive monthly doses of a topical formulation of selamectin and sarolaner (Revolution® Plus/Stronghold® Plus) compared with a single dose of fluralaner (Bravecto® for Cats) against induced infestations of Ctenocephalides felis on cats. Veterinary Parasitology, 270, S52–S57. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31133494/

VATTA, A.F., MYERS, M.R., RUGG, J.J., CHAPIN, S., PULLINS, A., KING, V.L., RUGG, D., 2019. Efficacy and safety of a combination of selamectin plus sarolaner for the treatment and prevention of flea infestations and the treatment of ear mites in cats presented as veterinary patients in the United States. Veterinary Parasitology, 270, S3–S11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30579753/

REICHARD, M.V., RUGG, J.J., THOMAS, J.E., ALLEN, K.E., BARRETT, A.W., MURRAY, J.K., HERRIN, B.H., BEAM, R.A., KING, V.L., VATTA, A.F., 2019. Efficacy of a topical formulation of selamectin plus sarolaner against induced infestations of Amblyomma americanum on cats and prevention of Cytauxzoon felis transmission. Veterinary Parasitology, 270, S31–S37. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30466895/

VATTA, A.F., EVERETT, W.R., CHERNI, J.A., KING, V.L., RUGG, D., 2019. The speed of kill of a topical combination of selamectin plus sarolaner against induced infestations of Ixodes scapularis ticks on cats. Veterinary Parasitology, 270, S26–S30. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30563718/

VATTA, A.F., YOUNG, D.R., EVERETT, W.R., KING, V.L., CHERNI, J.A., VON REITZENSTEIN, M., HOLZMER, S.J., CHAPIN, S., RUGG, D., 2019. Efficacy of a new topical formulation containing selamectin plus sarolaner against three common tick species infesting cats in the United States. Veterinary Parasitology, 270, S19–S25. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30470637/ 

VATTA, A.F., MYERS, M.R., BOWMAN, D.D., RUGG, J.J., DAMRAH, L., THERRIEN, C., LIOTTA, J.L., LUCIO-FORSTER, A., KING, V.L., RUGG, D., 2019. Efficacy and safety of a new topical formulation of selamectin plus sarolaner in the treatment and control of natural infections of Ancylostoma tubaeforme and Toxocara cati in cats presented as veterinary patients in the United States. Veterinary Parasitology, 270, S45–S51. 
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30470638/

McTIER, T.L., PULLINS, A., CHAPIN, S., RUGG, J., VON REITZENSTEIN, M., McCALL, J.W., KING, V.L., VATTA, A.F., 2019. The efficacy of a novel topical formulation of selamectin plus sarolaner in preventing the development of Dirofilaria immitis in cats. Veterinary Parasitology, 270, 56–62. 
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30455076/   

Grant Funding

Kwame, M., O’Brien, D., Vatta, A, Whitley, N., Schoenian, S. USDA-Capacity Building Grant entitled: “Reversing On-farm Anthelmintic Resistance in Small Ruminant Gastrointestinal Nematodes (GINs).”

Burke, J.M., Terrill, T.H., Whitley, N.C., Vatta, A.F. (2022—2025).  USDA SARE Grant entitled: "Grazing with the Fun Guy (Fungi) – Small Ruminant Worm Control."

Oberhaus, E.L., Vatta, A.F. (2021—2022). Charles V. Cusimano EHSP Grant entitled: "Relationship between equine metabolic syndrome, inflammatory cytokines, fecal egg counts, and egg reappearance period in horses."