Dr Stuart Becker
VetCompass Epidemiologist
Department: Pathobiology & Population Sciences
Research Centres: Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health
Stuart is a VetCompass Epidemiologist, leading a project that aims to develop practical interventions that can be applied in companion animal surgeries, to reduce the use of antimicrobials and promote stewardship.
Stuart graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2000 and worked in companion animal practice for 20 years, becoming a small animal divisional partner in a large veterinary group. Also at Liverpool, he completed a PhD in 2008 (Semiochemical detection of infection status in house mice), and an MSc in Health Data Science in 2023, where his dissertation project focussed on statistical modelling of antimicrobial treatment choice in first opinion companion animal practice.
Currently Stuart is the primary researcher on a Petplan Charitable Trust funded project within VetCompass, working with commercial partners to identify interventions that aim to advance antimicrobial stewardship in companion animal practices.
Stuart's research uses a creative and multidisciplinary approach, combining clinical and statistical expertise with multimedia science communication techniques, to identify and address specific targets for improvement in antimicrobial stewardship, within the VetCompass Research Programme. His research focus is primarily the development of practical tools that have maximum impact on antimicrobial stewardship, while being pragmatic and realistic to apply in busy surgeries.