Contact details +6469518291
Dr Nikki Kells BSc, MSc, PhD
Senior Lecturer in Animal Welfare
Doctoral Supervisor School of Veterinary ScienceCurrent research/professional interests
- Evaluation of affective states in animals:
- Neurophysiological, physiological and behavioural assessment of pain
- Neurophysiological techniques to assess pain and breathlessness
- Development of a paradigm to assess boredom-like states
- Biomarkers for assessment of longer-term pain
Slaughter & humane killing:
- Survey of current euthanasia practice for dogs and cats among NZ veterinarians
- Refinement of clinical euthanasia protocols for domestic cats
- Evaluation of a commercial device for electrical stunning of NZ crayfish & koura
- Alternatives to carbon dioxide for gas stunning/killing
Dairy cattle welfare:
- Risk factors for pre-slaughter mortality among bobby calves
- Early identification of at-risk bobby calves
- Development and evaluation of prolonged acting local anaesthetic formulation for calf disbudding
- Development of a welfare assessment protocol for pasture-based dairy cows in NZ
Fish welfare:
- Biomarkers for assessing cumulative stress in laboratory fish
- Developing a framework for assessment of fish welfare in NZ aquaculture systems
I completed a PhD in 2016 investigatingt acute and chronic pain associated with tail docking of piglets, along with strategies to mitigate this. I then completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship exploring bobby calf welfare across the NZ dairy supply chain, before being appointed Senior Lecturer in Animal Welfare in 2018.
My research expertise/interests include:
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Neurophysiological and physiological assessment of animal pain
- Recognition of states of consciousness in animals
- Evaluation of affective states (other than pain) in animals
- Development/evaluation of humane methods for slaughter and killing of animals
- Development of novel pain alleviation strategies in animals
- Development of animal welfare assessment tools
Professional
Contact details
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Ph: 85291
Location: 2.05, Collinson Village
Campus: Manawatu
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science - 黑料网 (2010)
- Master of Science First Class - 黑料网 (2013)
- Doctor of Philosophy - 黑料网 (2017)
Certifications and Registrations
- Licence, Supervisor, 黑料网
Research Expertise
Research Interests
Use of electroencephalography and behaviour to assess animal welfare
Welfare assessment of methods for stunning and killing animals
Assessment and mitigation of pain in animals undergoing routine husbandry procedures
Development of novel pain biomarkers
Developmental aspects of conscious awareness and pain perception
Welfare implications of respiratory compromise
Assessment and promotion of positive welfare
Area of Expertise
Field of research codes
Agricultural And Veterinary Sciences (070000):
Animal Behaviour (060801):
Animal Physiology - Systems (060603):
Animal Production (070200):
Biological Sciences (060000):
Humane Animal Treatment (070207):
Physiology (060600):
Zoology (060800)
Keywords
Animal welfare
Pain assessment
Electrophysiology
Research Outputs
Journal
[Journal article]Authored by: Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Kells, N., Laven, R., Mueller, K.
[Journal article]Authored by: Johnson, C., Kells, N., Perrott, M.
[Journal article]Authored by: Gates, M., Kells, N., Littlewood, K.
[Journal article]Authored by: Kells, N., Singh, P.
[Journal article]Authored by: Kells, N., Laven, R., Mueller, K.
[Journal article]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Kells, N., Vallee, E.
[Journal article]Authored by: Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Chidgey, K., Kells, N., Vallee, E.
[Journal article]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Cogger, N., Johnson, C., Kells, N., Laven, R.
[Journal article]Authored by: Kells, N., Laven, R., Mueller, K.
[Journal article]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Godfrey, A., Johnson, C., Kells, N., Littlewood, K., Ward, R.
[Journal article]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Cogger, N., Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Johnson, C., Kells, N., Roe, W.
[Journal article]Authored by: Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Flint, S., Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Flint, S., Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Flint, S., Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Flint, S., Kells, N.
[Journal article]Authored by: Flint, S., Kells, N.
Report
[Commissioned Report]Authored by: Kells, N.
Conference
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Kells, N., Laven, L.
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Johnson, C., Kells, N.
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Beausoleil, N., Johnson, C., Kells, N.
Teaching and Supervision
Teaching Statement
My focus in teaching is to provide engaging learning experiences that challenge students to grow and develop, in a supportive environment. My current teaching centres mainly on animal welfare-related subjects, spanning first-year through to postgraduate level.
Courses taught into:
117.107/227.107 Animal Behaviour, Welfare, & Handling
117.331 Animal Welfare Science
117.332/227.226 Dilemmas in Animal Welfare
227.413 Cattle Health, Production, Population Medicine and Therapeutics
194.731 Advanced Animal Welfare Science
Graduate Supervision Statement
As a supervisor, I see my role as that of facilitator. From assembling the right supervisory team to publishing the thesis, I strive to provide the expertise, resources, support, and guidance to meet the unique goals and requirements of individual candidates. My research involves various aspects of animal welfare, including welfare assessment, humane slaughter and killing, pain assessment using electroencephalography, physiology & behaviour, and development of novel pain mitigation strategies. I currently supervise research into various aspects of farm, laboratory, companion, and zoo animal welfare.
Dr Nikki Kells is available for Masters and Doctorial supervision.
Summary of Doctoral Supervision
Position | Current | Completed |
---|---|---|
Co-supervisor | 1 | 2 |
Current Doctoral Supervision
Co-supervisor of:
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Morgan Heslop
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Doctor of Philosophy
Development of a theoretical approach for investigating the occurrence of of boredom in animals
Completed Doctoral Supervision
Co-supervisor of:
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2024
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Sophia Holdsworth
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Doctor of Philosophy
Characterising the responses of farm mammals to a thoracic squeeze and the relationship to tonic immobility -
2024
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Sujan Sapkota
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Doctor of Philosophy
Assessing the Welfare of Pasture- Based Dairy Cows of New Zealand and Transhumance Chauris of Nepal