I am a Senior Scientific Officer heading up AFBI’s research into endemic avian viruses. I graduated from QUB with a first in genetics in 2002. The modules that I had most enjoyed during my degree were virology and I became particularly interested in viral genetics as they are so different from all other organisms.
I had intended to become a biology teacher but I found that I enjoyed the research in the final undergraduate year so much that I thought I would undertake a Ph.D project in molecular biology. I then worked as a QUB postdoc based in VSD supervised by Dr Danny Todd, who was an accomplished scientist and big inspiration to me and that’s when I became interested in the endemic viruses affecting poultry production. A position became available in AFBI for a molecular virologist and I consider myself very fortunate to be able to study viruses here as there are very few opportunities for virologists in NI.
Most of my current research focuses on enteric viruses of poultry and how they contribute to reduced bird growth. This is a global problem that has been poorly studied since it is such a complex condition. There are many different small, round viruses that can cause growth problems in young chicks and since these viruses evolve very rapidly there are many different strains with highly varying pathogenicities. This is a big part of my work in determining the clinical relevance of particular strains. Currently there are few diagnostic tools available so I and my colleagues design new diagnostic tests to aid our studies and since there are no effective vaccines to control the problem, prevention is by good biosecurity and cleaning practices. I am keen to improve the situation by developing appropriate vaccines or other treatments and that is another part of my research. I lead a team of experienced staff in the avian virology and the cell culture laboratories and I also supervise two Ph.D students.
While research is the main part of my work, our laboratory also performs diagnostic investigations on behalf of poultry companies with poorly performing flocks or hatcheries with unusual diseases. For instance, we recently investigated a new disease of hatching chicks in Scandinavia that caused a high incidence of egg failure and pale, undersized, weak chicks that perished soon after hatching. Diagnostic investigations using a mixture of classical and molecular virological techniques plus some serological studies with a new test we had designed, identified a particular strain of chicken astrovirus as the most likely cause.
Our customers are mainly UK or European but we also have customers from Asia and North America. I think one of the great strengths of AFBI is the wide range of techniques that we have maintained, many of which other labs have lost. These classical techniques require highly skilled staff whose expertise can only really be developed through sustained practical experience, which we gain through both the research and diagnostic work. I tend to think of us as a “one-stop shop” as we can undertake most if not all of the various methods required and if we can’t then there is usually someone else in another part of AFBI who can. We liaise closely with industry to understand what are their particular problems and our research often follows on from the diagnostic investigations we undertake so that we can understand what is happening at a deeper level and look for long term solutions.
Some of the most enjoyable aspects of my job are learning new techniques and applying them to my research. For instance, there is cutting-edge new DNA sequencing technology available that resulted from the sequencing of the human genome back in the early 2000s and which is perfectly suited to the viral growth issues I’m addressing so I have applied this new technology to our poultry virus research. It is providing enormous amounts of data, aka “big data,” in a very comprehensive manner regarding the presence of multiple different viruses and their relative contributions to disease. The scope of this technique is so wide that it is already being used in the area of personalised medicine at an affordable cost.
One of my roles is to disseminate new knowledge and understanding to a bigger audience so we have just sent a paper off for peer review and publication in an international poultry journal, which will help it reach the target readership rather than in a more general virology journal. All of the senior researchers within AFBI publish and this helps maintain AFBI’s reputation as a global institute of scientific excellence. I reciprocate by acting as a reviewer for other groups’ papers and acting as an external examiner for Ph.D candidates from other institutes and universities. I also give presentations and specialist lectures on occasion.
Facts about Vic Smyth:
1. Can you cook? If so, what is your speciality dish?
I can cook but my husband is the better cook so he does most of the day to day cooking. My speciality is in making cakes but they are often quite experimental and I’m not always sure how they will turn out! I enjoy decorating the cakes more than the baking part and try to make them appropriate to the person and amusing if possible.
2. What is your favourite book?
My favourite book of recent times is Empress Dowager Cixi by Jung Chang. It is a fascinating biography describing the long and incredibly accomplished life of a Chinese noble lady who modernised China in many respects in the mid to late 1800s against so many major obstacles, not least of which was the establishment. Although she has been vilified historically this engaging book takes an alternative view of her legacy. She relied heavily on an Ulsterman, Robert Hart from County Armagh, one of whose jobs was to reform the corrupt customs service into a well-managed enterprise that substantially increased China’s trading revenues. According to a local Beijing tour guide, she also commissioned the highly ornate “Marble Boat” for the Kunming Lake in the Summer Palace in Beijing from Harland and Wolff in the 1890s. It is still there and very beautiful.
3. What is your favourite TV/radio show?
I like good quality dramas that don’t employ ‘slick’ dialogue and am currently completely hooked on House of Cards. Kevin Spacey’s character is a ruthless congressman who will resort to any means to progress in US politics and yet you almost want him to succeed which I guess is testament to the writing, acting and directing skills. Watching his careful manipulation to achieve highly strategic objectives of professional gain while keeping those who matter on side is fascinating. He’s achieved the position of Vice President in the episodes that I’ve been watching lately but he’s probably due for a comeuppance soon.
4. If you weren’t in your current position what job/career would you like to be doing?
I came later to science after studying genetics as a mature student so I would hope not to change career as I’m very much enjoying this one plus I already experienced other careers before I became a scientist. I initially trained as a dental technician specialising in making false teeth (honestly) and after that I was the co-owner of a business with my husband that made industrial oil based paints from raw materials. Previously I had also briefly been a paint technician so it is fair to say that I literally used to watch paint dry! I really enjoyed both of those jobs as I got a strong sense of achievement in making useful and decorative items. If I had to choose another career now I think it would be in designing and building ecological houses that are largely self-sufficient and require minimal externally supplied utilities. I hope to design and live in a house like this when I come to retire.
5. What unique fact do we not know about you?
Many years ago in my life B.C. (before child) I used to race small 2 stroke 80cc motorcycles and was the first female solo rider at the Louth Road Races. I had a Huvo ex-grand prix bike that was a little temperamental but was a flyer when it was going. Although I only raced for 2 years I have been riding motorcycles for many years and still have a 650cc bike that I bring out when the sun shines. Racing was probably the most exciting thing I have ever done.