Chantelle Hooper
Aquatic Animal Health Specialist
Chantelle is an Aquatic Animal Health Specialist working in the Genomics and Systematics Team. She is also a PhD student at the University of Exeter researching host and pathogen genomics in emerging disease in aquatic invertebrates. Chantelle has been involved in a number of projects identifying novel pathogens present in the aquatic environment, including a novel RNA virus associated freshwater prawns in Bangladesh and a novel Marteilia parasite infecting cockles in Wales. Further to this, she has also developed molecular methods to be able to detect and discriminate between aquatic pathogens. Chantelle is leading technical delivery of OneHealth aquaculture in Bangladesh for the Defra-funded Ocean Countries Partnership Programme (OCPP), aiming to build in-country capacity to produce sustainable seafood.
Prior to joining Cefas as a staff member, Chantelle received a BSc in Genetics from Cardiff University. During this BSc she undertook a professional training year, during which she commenced a year-long project at Cefas developing methods for challenging larval and juvenile oysters with OsHV-1, and for the detection of this pathogen in both tissue and water samples.
Email: chantelle.hooper@cefas.gov.uk
