Lisa Avery

Environmental Microbiologist
Environmental and Biochemical Sciences
T: +44 (0)344 928 5428 (*)

Lisa is a senior environmental microbiologist in the Environmental and Biochemical Sciences group and leads the Centre for Human and Animal Pathogens in the Environment (HAP-E) - a cross-institute interdiscpilinary hub drawing together those working in this field. She completed a PhD in environmental (rhizosphere) microbiology in 2001 at the University of Nottingham and worked at Bangor University and Cranfield University prior to taking up her post at the Macaulay Institute at the end of 2006. In 2011 she joined the James Hutton Institute where she works primarily on prevalence and transport of faecal indicator organisms and pathogens (E. coli, Clostridia, Mycobaterium avium paratuberculosis) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). She also has expertise in water and waste treatment and resuse, in particular the use of low-tech systems in the UK and developing countries.

Current/recent projects include:

  • Scottish Government: “Decentralised Wastewater Treatment – Global Innovation for Sustainable Rural Communities” 2016-19
  • EU FP7 Aquavalens (Local PI) “Protecting the Health of Europeans by Improving Methods for the detection of pathogens in drinking water and water used in food preparation” €8.9M 2013-18
  • NERC (with Strathclyde University): “Quantifying Spatial Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns across Urban and Rural Landscapes” NE/N019776/1 £103,801 2016-17

Journals

Prior to appointment

Reports

  • Avery, L.; Cooper, A. L.; Shortall, O.; Pagaling, E.; Troldborg, M.; Hough, R. (2023) Environmental exposures to human pathogens, Environmental exposures to human pathogens.
    Chief Scientist’s Group report: Environmental Agency.
  • Troldborg, M.; Pagaling, E.; Avery, L. (2023) Antimicrobial Resistance risk modelling , Report to RESAS under project: JHI-B6-1; Flows of Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and pathogens through environment to food chain (RESAS Theme B – Sustainable Food Systems and Supply). February 2023.
  • Bridle, H.; Pagaling, E.; Avery, L. (2022) Technologies for Monitoring and Treatment of Antimicrobial Resistance in Water, CREW website
  • Avery, L.; Bridle, H.; Pagaling, E. (2022) Antimicrobial resistance in Scotland’s waters, CREW website
  • Troldborg, M.; Frachon, A.; Beesley, L.; Stockan, J.; Hough, R.L.; Avery, L. (2021) Evaluating constructed wetland performance at Dinnet using a mass balance modelling approach., Summary Report for RESAS.
  • Akoumianaki, I.; Pagaling, E.; Coull, M.; Avery, L.; Potts, J. (2020) Review of monitoring techniques and sampling strategies to identify the most significant sources of faecal indicator organisms (FIO) within a catchment., CREW Report, CRW2018_14, 51pp.
  • Troldborg, M.; Beesley, L.; Stockan, J.; Avery, L.; Hough, R.L. (2019) Development of approach for modelling water flow and contaminant mass balances at Dinnet., Internal Report, James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen, 6pp.
  • Akoumianaki, I.; Pagaling, E.; Coull, M.; Avery, L.; Potts, J. (2018) Review of monitoring techniques and sampling strategies to identify the most significant sources of faecal indicator organisms (FIO) within a catchment., Final Project Meeting, CREW Report2018_14.
  • Teagasc, IST, Pagaling, E.; Abel, C.; Avery, L.; Belgrade, University of Surrey, City Analysts Ltd, GPS, Desing, Fruit and Veggies (2018) Suitability of novel technologies for determining irrigation, processing and bottled water quality. Deliverable 12.3., Technical report for the European Commission CORDIS Project, Aquavalens, Cluster 3, WP12: Food production – Water used in Food Processing and Bottled Waters, Deliverable 12.3.
  • Avery, L.; Pagling, E.; Wyness, A. (2017) Exploring water DNA: Our strategy for exploiting the National Waters Inventory for Scotland DNA archive., Report to Scottish Government, March 2017.
  • López-Avilés, A.; Pedley, S.; Freire, M.; Monteiro, S.; Santos, R.; Pagling, E.; Abel, C.; Avery, L.; Allan, R.; Smigic, N.; Rajkovic, A.; Udovicki, B. (2017) Deliverable D11.7 Report of users’ perceptions and expectations of technologies for rapid microbial analysis., Report for Aquavalens Project, 31 August 2017, 55pp.
  • Pagaling, E.; Avery, L. (2017) Review of approaches for microbial source tracking (MST) in waters., Report to RESAS RD 1.2.1
  • Avery, L.; Pagaling, E.; Wyness, A. (2017) Exploring water DNA: Our strategy for exploiting the National Waters Inventory for Scotland DNA archive., Report for RESAS RD 1.2.1
  • Puigdomènech, C.; Juárez, R.; Baquero, D.; Pla, A.; Saucedo, G.; Arnedo, M.J.; Hügler, M.; Hambsch, B.; Pitchers, R.; Eglitis, J.; Avery, L.; Pagaling, E.; Abel, C.; Allan, R.; Lindhardt, B.; Christiansen, M.P.; Albrechtsen, H.J.; Wagner, F.; Jensen, M.M.; Blanco, A.; Fuentes, C.; Bosch, A.; Appels, J.; Mühlhahn, P.; Beimfohr, C.; Martínez-Murcia, A.; Navarro, A. (2017) Deliverable D10.4: Report on the results of the analysis in the distribution network., Technical Report for the European Commission CORDIS Project, Aquavalens, Cluster 3, WP10: Large systems – Pathogen Detection in Large Scale Water Supplies across Europe, Deliverable D10.4.
  • Lopez-Aviles, A.; Pedley, S.; Monteiro, S.; Santos, R.; Pagaling, E.; Abel, C.; Avery, L.; Allan, R.; Smigic, N.; Rajkovic, A.; Udovicki, B. (2017) Report accompanying Deliverable 11.6. Database of microbiological results, sanitary survey, health and environmental data for analysis., Technical Report for the European Commission CORDIS Project, Aquavalens, Cluster 3, WP11: Small Systems: Pathogen Detection in Small Water Supplies across Europe, Deliverable 11.6., 57pp.
  • Puigdomenech, C.; Juarez, R.; Baquero, D.; Pla, A.; Saucedo, G.; Arnedo, M.J.; Hügler, M.; Stange, C.; Hambsch, B.; Pitchers, R.; Gonzalez Fontan, L.; Eglitis, J.; Avery, L.; Pagaling, E.; Abel, C.; Allan, R.; Lindhardt, B.; Christiansen, M.P.; Albrechtsen, H.-J.; Wagner, F.B.; Lee, C.O.; Jensen, M.M.; Blanco, A.; Fuentes, C.; Bosch, A.; Appels, J.; Mühlhahn, P.; Martínez-Murcia, A.; Navarro, A. (2017) Aquavalens Project – Report on the results of the analysis in the DWTP: Deliverable D10.3., Technical report for the European Commission CORDIS project, Aquavalens, Cluster 3, WP10: Large systems – Pathogen detection in large scale water supplies across Europe, Deliverable D10.3.
  • Avery, L.M.; Pagaling, E.; Abel, C.; Allan, R.; Saucedo, G.; Arnedo, M.J.; Puigdomènech, C.; Juárez, R.; Baquero, D.; Pla, A.; Albrechtsen, H-J.; Lee, C.O.; Jensen, M.M.; Hambsch, B.; Hügler, M.; Eglitis, J.; Pitchers, R. (2017) Report on the evaluation of data in comparison to “classical” data. Deliverable 10.5., Technical Report for the European Commission CORDIS project, Aquavalens, Cluster 3, WP10: Large systems – Pathogen detection in large scale water supplies across Europe, Deliverable D10.5.
  • Avery, L.; Hough, R.L.; Potts, J.; Newman, G.; Lilly, A.; Lumsdon, D.; Abel, C.; Dodd, N.; Cook, Y.; McIntyre, S. (2016) Effect of maintenance and different raw water quality parameters on ultraviolet (UV) disinfection in private water supplies in Scotland., Report CR/2012/01, to Scottish Government, 31 January 2016.
  • Chapman, S.J.; Artz, R.R.E.; Moss, A. (2015) Set of CXC adaptation indicators for peatlands. NB 11 Extent of key habitats: deep peat; NB13 Condition of key habitats: area of modified deep peat soils; NB18 annual greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions from degraded peatlands; NB22a Peatland restoration area., Report to CXC.
  • Hough, R.L.; Elliott, G.E.; Avery, L.M.; Thomas, N. (2014) Final Report for MAPPLANT: transfer of MAP from soil to plant to silage., Final Report for QMS Grant in Aid project QMS PO/6500.
  • Troldborg, M.; Tamburini, M.; Avery, L.M.; Hough, R.L. (2014) Exposure of livestock to Group III Botulinum toxins in anaerobically digested broiler litter applied to grazing land., Report prepared for WRAP.
  • Avery, L.M.; Abel, C.; Tamburini, M.; Randerson, P.; Towers, W.; Hough, R.L. (2013) Evidence for SEPA administrative change in consent at Dinnet WWTP., Report to SEPA, May 2013.
  • Helliwell, R.C.; Avery, L.; Conniff, A.; MacNay, D.; Gorman, H. (2013) Reducing pollution from forestry related activities in the Gallloway and Eskdalemuir forests: a review of best management practices to reduce diffuse pollution., CREW Report.
  • Avery, L.; Cuthbert, A.; Brennan, F.P.; Dawson, J.J.C.; Rhind, S.M. (2013) Sewer flooding guidance., CREW Report.
  • Avery, L.; Chilton, S.; Connolly, E.; Cummins, A.; Glenk, K.; Hanley, N.; Hewitt, J.; Kay, D.; McPhail, C.; McRory, E.; McVittie, A.; Oliver, D.; Quilliam, R.; Rabinovici, S.; Rahman, A.; Roberts, S.; Shaikh, S.; Simpson, K.; Stirling, N.; Thairs, T.; Tinch, D.; van Niekerk, M.; Vinten, A.; Watts, B. (2013) Delivering healthy water: building the science-policy interface to protect bathing water quality, Report from Delivering Health Water Workshop 3, Stirling, 9-10 October 2012.
  • Elliott, G.N.; Avery, L.M.; Thomas, N.; Coull, M.C.; Hough, R.L. (2012) Environmental factors and Johne’s disease – Stobshiel datasheet., PARABAN Champion Farmers – Report Datasheet.
  • Elliott, G.N.; Avery, L.M.; Thomas, N.; Coull, M.C.; Hough, R.L. (2012) Environmental factors and Johne’s disease – Glenbervie datasheet, PARABAN Champion Farmers – Report Datasheet.
  • Elliott, G.N.; Avery, L.M.; Thomas, N.; Coull, M.C.; Hough, R.L. (2012) Environmental factors and Johne’s disease – Halflawkiln datasheet., PARABAN Champion Farmers – Report Datasheet.
  • Elliott, G.N.; Avery, L.M.; Thomas, N.; Coull, M.C.; Hough, R.L. (2012) Environmental factors and Johne’s disease – Torr datasheet., PARABAN Champion Farmers – Report Datasheet.
  • Elliott, G.N.; Avery, L.M.; Thomas, N.; Coull, M.C.; Hough, R.L. (2012) Environmental factors and Johne’s disease – Ballintomb datasheet., PARABAN Champion Farmers – Report Datasheet.

Conference papers

  • Avery, L. (2023) Flows of AMR from Environment to People A Context for Combining Surveillance of Wastewater and Environment Towards Addressing the AMR Crisis, International Association of Food Protection European Symposium, 3-5 May 2023, Aberdeen
  • Nijnik M.; Aalders, I.H.; Abel C.; Amponsah, N.Y.; Avery, L.; Hough, R.L.; Stockan J.A.; Troldborg, M.; Tamburini, M.; Nijnik, A. (2015) Recycling of sewage sludge and wastewater to short rotation coppice in Europe – biological and economic potential and a case from the UK., VIII International Scientific Conference: Alternative & Renewable Energy Sources as Alternative Primary Energy Sources in the Region, Lviv, Ukraine, 1-4 April 2015.
  • Hough, R.L.; Elliott, G.E.; Coull, M.; Avery, L.M.; Thomas, N.; Campbell, C.D. (2014) PARABAN: Knowledge exchange for the control of paratuberculosis in Scottish cattle., British Cattle Veterinary Association Congress, Hinckley, Leicestershire, 16-18 October 2014. Proceedings – Cattle Practice, 22(2), p194.
  • Hough, R.L.; Elliott, G.; Avery, L.M.; Coull, M.C.; Shand, C.A.; Lumsdon, D.; Campbell, C.D (2013) Environmental factors and Johne’s disease – results and guidance., Learning the Lessons for Disease Control – Stobshiel, East Lothian, Scotland, 16 May 2013.
  • Hough, R.L.; Elliott, G.; Avery, L.M.; Coull, M.C.; Shand, C.A.; Lumsdon, D.; Campbell, C.D. (2013) Environmental factors and Johne’s disease – results and guidance., Learning the Lessons for Disease Control – Ballintomb, Dulnain Bridge, Scotland, 16 May 2013.
  • Hough, R.L.; Elliott, G.; Avery, L.M.; Coull, M.C.; Shand, C.A.; Lumsdon, D.; Campbell, C.D. (2013) Environmental factors and Johne’s disease – results and guidance., Learning the Lessons for Disease Control – Overcairn, New Cumnock, Scotland, 7 June 2013.
  • Hough, R.L.; Elliott, G.; Avery, L.M.; Coull, M.C.; Shand, C.A.; Lumsdon, D.; Campbell, C.D. (2013) Environmental factors and Johne’s disease – results and guidance., Learning the Lessons for Disease Control – Torr Farm, Castle Douglas, Scotland, 30 April 2013.
  • Randerson, P.; Avery, L.M.; Hough, R.L.; Taylor, A.; Freitag, T.; Jefferson, B.; Tyrrel, S. (2012) Optimising wastewater irrigation of short rotation coppice for sustainable water and energy: a systems approach., Constructed Wetlands Association AGM, Slimbridge, UK.
  • Dawson, J.J.C.; Avery, L.; Baggaley, N.J.; Cooper, P.; Kemp, H.; Meier-Augenstein, W.; Brewer, M.; Frew, D.; Dunn, S.M. (2012) A National Waters Inventory for Scotland: New approaches to monitor water quality., Proceedings of the 11th British Hydrological Society National Symposium, University of Dundee, Dundee, 9-11 July 2012.
  • Avery, L.M.; Smith, J. (2011) The potential of small-scale biogas digesters to improve livelihoods and long term sustainability of ecosystem services in sub-saharan Africa., Scottish Development Studies Association, University of Aberdeen, 14 October 2011.
  • Tumwesige, V.; Avery, L.M.; Austin, G.; Balana, B.B.; Bechtel, K.; Casson, E.; Davidson, G.; Edwards, S.; Getachew, E.; Gebreeziabher, Z.; Glenk, K.; Hailemichael, K.; Mugisha, J.; Kasozi, A.; Leckie, S.; Lemna, B.; Magombe, J.; Matheme, Y.; Matthews, R.; Melamu, R.; Mwirigi, J.; Naik, L.; Orskov, E.R.; Pertiwiningrum, A.; Sabiiti, E.; Semple, S.; Subedi, M.; Ssendagire, W.; Sylvia, N.; Turyareeba, P.; Walekwha, P.; Yilma, D.; Yongabi, K.; Zenk, G.; Smith, J. (2011) Small-scale biogas digester for sustainable energy production in sub-saharan Africa., 1st World Sustainability Forum (WSF 2011) (e-conference), held at http://www.sciforum.net/conf/wsf, 1-30 November 2011.
  • Avery, L.M.; Balana, B.; Bechtel, K.; Black, H.; von Blottnitz, H.; Casson, E.; Davidson, G.; Edwards, S.; Farmer, B.; Gebreegziabher, Z.; Getachew, E.; Glenk, K.; Hailemichael, K.; Kasisira, L.; Kasozi, A.; Komakech, A.; Langan, S.J.; Matthews, R.B.; Mugisha, J.; Leckie, S.; Lemna, B.; Magombe, J.; Mahteme, Y.; Melamu, R.; Muhgisha, E.; Mwirigi, J.; Naik, L.; Orskov, B.; Pertiwiningrum, A.; Sabiiti, E.; Semple, S.; Smith, J.; Smith, P.; Ssendagire, W.; Subedi, M.; Sylvia, N.; Tumwesige, V.; Turyareeba, P.; Walekwha, P.; Yilma, D.; Yongabi, K.A.; Zenk, G. (2011) The potential of small-scale biogas digesters to improve livelihoods and long term sustainability of ecosystem services in Sub-Saharan Africa., Scottish Development Studies Association, University of Aberdeen, 14 October 2011.
  • Hough, R.L.; Shand, C.A.; Avery, L.M.; Campbell, C.D.; Singh, B.K.; Hudson, G.; Devereaux, G. (2009) Soil and human health: the national soils inventory of Scotland., Practical Applications of Medical Geology, BGS Keyworth, Nottingham, 19-20 March, 2009.
  • Vinten, A.J.A.; Avery, L.M.; Strachan, N. (2007) Microbial pollution of water by livestock: approaches to risk assessment and mitigation in Scotland., British Society of Animal Science
  • Vinten, A.J.A.; Avery, L.M.; Strachan, N. (2007) Microbial pollution of water by livestock: approaches to risk assessment and cost-effective mitigation in Scotland., 11th International Conference on Diffuse Pollution and the 1st Joint Meeting of the IWA Diffuse Pollution and Urban Drainage Specialist Groups, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brazil, 26-31 August 2007.

Conference posters

  • Mzyece, C.; Glendell, M.; Quilliam, R.; Jones, I.; Pagaling, E.; Avery, L.; Oliver, D. (2023) Expert elicitation for parameterisation of a Bayesian Network model designed to simulate Faecal Indicator Organism (FIO) losses from septic tank systems in rural catchments, EGU General Assembly 2023, 23-28 April 2023, Vienna, Austria, EGU23-7414
  • Williams, A.; Stekel, D.; Avery, L.; Hough, R.L.; Hobman, J.; Hooton, S.; West, H. (2019) Characterising shifts in the resistome and microbial community structure of cattle slurry amended agricultural soil., EGU General Assembly, Vienna, Austria, 7-12 April 2019. Geophysical Research Abstracts, 21, EGU2019-5060. Abstract.
  • Stevenson, C.; Salome, M.; Avery, L.; Hough, R.L; Stockan, J.; Anderson, P.; Beesley, L. (2018) Demonstrating the potential of constructed wetlands for combined wastewater treatment and biomass production: a case study in Scotland., 16th IWA International Conference on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control, Valenica, Spain, 3 September – 4 October 2018.
  • Avery, L.M.; Stockan, J.; Tamburini, M.; Abel, C.; Randerson, P.; Beesley, L.; Hough R.L. (2018) Demonstrating the potential of constructed wetlands for combined wastewater treatment and biomass production: A case study in Scotland., The 16th IWA International Conference Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control, Valencia, 30 September – 4 October 2018.
  • Abel, C.; Avery, L. (2018) An E.coli culture collection from an agricultural sub-catchment., The James Hutton Annual Research Symposium, Treetops Hotel, Aberdeen, 29 November 2018. Poster.
  • Stevenson, C.; Michel, S.; Avery, L.; Hough, R.L.; Stockan, J.; Anderson, P.; Beesley, L. (2018) Demonstrating the potential of constructed wetlands for combined wastewater treatment and biomass production: a case study in Scotland., 16th International Conference of the IWA Specialist Group on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain, 30 September – 4 October 2018. (Poster)
  • Knapp, C.; Peshkur, T.; Graham, D.W.; McCann, C.; Cooke, R.; Hough, R.L.; Pagaling, E.; Avery, L.; Freitag, T.; Zhu, T.-G.; Su , J.Q. (2018) Antimicrobial resistance: soil-landscape conditions across NE England and Scotland., The Scottish Universities Life Science Alliance (SULSA) Antimicrobial Resistance Conference, Technology and Innovation Centre, Glasgow, 26-27 April 2018. (Poster)
  • Pagaling, E.; Palmer, J.; Avery, L. (2018) The distribution of AMR genes in freshwater in Scotland., The Scottish Universities Life Science Alliance (SULSA) Antimicrobial Resistance Conference, Technology and Innovation Centre, Glasgow, 26-27 April 2018. (Poster)
  • Wyness, A.; Paterson, S.; Defew, E.; Stutter, M.I.; Avery, L. (2017) the effect of environmental and sediment characteristics on the spatial and temporal distribution of e.coli in intertidal sediments., FEMS 2017, 7th Congress of European Microbiologists, Valencia, Spain, 9-13 July 2017.
  • Burgess, C.M.; Machado-Moreira, B.; O’Malley, R.; Richards, K.; Santos, R.; Nunes-Monteiro, S.; Rajkovic, A.; Smigic, N.; Avery, L.; Pagaling, E.; Pedley, S.; Lopez-Aviles, A.; Byrne, M.; Martinez-Murcia, A. (2017) Trans-European study on the implementation of novel water testing methodologies to assess the safety of irrigation water., Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS) Conference, Valencia, Spain, 9-13 July 2017, PV 04, 200. (Poster)
  • Burgess, C.M.; Machado-Moreira, B.; O’Malley, R.; Richards, K.; Santos, R.; Nunes-Monteiro, S.; Rajkovic, A.; Smigic, N.; Avery, L.; Pagaling, E.; Pedley, S.; Lopez-Aviles, A.; Byrne, M.; Martinez-Murcia, A. (2017) Trans-European study on the implementation of novel water testing methodologies to assess the safety of irrigation water., Society for Applied Microbiology (SFAM) Summer Conference 2017, New Insights into Food Safety, Gateshead, UK, 3-6 July 2017. (Poster)
  • Stockan, J.A.; Abel, C.; Tamburini, M.; Randerson, P.; Hough, R.L.; Avery, L. (2016) Demonstrating the benefits of small scale combined wastewater polishing and biomass production: a case study., 3rd IWA Specialized International Conference “Ecotechnologies for Wastewater Treatment (ecoSTP)”, Cambridge, 27-30 June 2016. Poster.
  • Brennan, F.P.; Moynihan, E.; Griffiths, B.; Hillier, S.; Owen, J.; Pendlowski, H.; Avery, L. (2013) The impact of clay mineral composition on enteropathogen survival in soil., FEMS, 5th Congress of Microbiologists 2013, Leipzig, Germany, 21-25 July 2013. Abstract.
  • Hough, R.L.; Elliott, G.; Avery, L.M.; Thomas, N.T.; Coull, M.C.; Shand, C.A.; Lumsdon, D.G.; Campbell, C.D. (2012) Investigating soil risk factors for paratuberculosis in Scottish cattle farming., EUROSOIL 2012 Soil Science for the Benefit of Mankind and Environment, 4th International Congress of the European Confederation of Soil Science Societies (ECSSS), Bari, Italy, 2-6 July 2012.
  • Avery, L.M. (2012) Willow systems in wastewater treatment., Low Energy Wastewater Treatment Systems: From Innovation to Implementation, Cranfield University, 12 September 2012.
  • Huntly, S.; Tongue, S.; Baughan, J.; Hough, R.L.; Avery, L.M.; Elliott, G.; Flook, M.; Truyers, I.; Evans, J.; Mellor, D.; Gunn, G. (2012) PARABAN – Knowledge exchange for control of Johne’s disease., Westfield Monitor Farm Open Day, Westfield, Thurso, Caithness, 18 January 2012.
  • Brennan, F.P.; Moynihan, E.; Griffiths, B.; Avery, L. (2012) The impact of clay mineral composition on enteropathogen survival in soil., The Cooperative of Zoonoses Experience and Expertise (CoZEE) Autumn Conference, Intervention Strategies to Prevent and Control Zoonoses, Dundee, 29-30 October 2012.
  • Avery, L.M. (2011) ‘Low-tech’ biotechnology – a role in global sustainability., 2nd World Congress on Biotechnology, Philadelphia, USA, 29 November – 1 December 2011.
  • Avery, L.M.; Vinten, A.J.A.; Crooks, B. (2010) Colloid-pathogen interactions and bacterial transport., Proceedings of the 2010 International Symposium on Waterborne Pathogens, Manhattan Beach, California, 2-4 May 2010.
  • Hough, R.L.; Shand, C.; Avery, L.M.; Campbell, C.D.; Singh, B.; Hudson; G.; Devereaux, G. (2009) Soil and human health: the national soils inventory of Scotland., Practical Applications of Medical Geology, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, 19-20 March 2009.