Contact
Biography
Ruth Blunt obtained a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Conservation Wildlife Management and Biology from Nottingham Trent University. She then completed an MSc in Environmental Management and PhD from The University of Nottingham. She then spent a year working as a Post-doctoral researcher on a knowledge transfer project at The University of Birmingham before moving back to Nottingham to join the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science in 2007. Since 2014 Ruth has been the course Director Environmental Science and Biology in the School of Bioscience.
Expertise Summary
Ruth Blunt is a Lecturer in Applied Entomology and Parasitology with a expertise in insect identification and sampling working on a range applied projects tackling problems related to sustainable farming.
Teaching Summary
Module convenor for Environmental Science and Society and Habitat Management in first year and Forest Ecology and Management, Ecological Surveying - and Insect Biology in second year.
Admissions and Course Directors of Environmental Science and Environmental Biology degrees,
E-assessment Lead for the School of Bioscience
Research Summary
I am currently working on a project to characterise the invertebrate communities present on UK pig farms and to assess the potential of these invertebrates to act as vectors of disease.
Recent Publications
BLUNT, R., MCORIST, S., MCKILLEN, J., MCNAIR, I, JIANG, T. and MELLITS, K., 2011. House fly vector for porcine circovirus 2b on commercial pig farms Veterinary Microbiology. 149(3-4), 452-455 SHEELAGH LLOYD and RUTH BLUNT, 2011. Ticks and tick-borne diseases of pets in the UK: risks to travellers The Veterinary Nurse. 2(3), 140-149
MCORIST, S., BLUNT, R. and GEBHART, C.J., 2011. Pig-associated Lawsonia intracellularis in various on-farm dipterous fly stages Journal of Swine Health and Production. 19(5), 277-283
Past Research
I have a long standing interest in insect communities and agro environmental work. I have conducted a wide range of insect survey work including projects for the Game Conservancy Trust to assess the impact of set aside covers on game and song bird food sources. During my PhD I worked on invertebrate communities within oilseed rape crops to assess the impact of an altered glucosinolates profile on various pest and beneficial species.