Person
McKenzie, Ross Andrew (1949 - )
- Born
- 1949
- Occupation
- Toxicologist and Veterinary pathologist
Summary
Ross McKenzie is widely known for his expertise in the diseases on animals. His research focused primarily on livestock, but also included native animals such as reptiles, macropods, and birds. He made major contributions to research into the identification of plants poisonous to animals, and with his knowledge of the chemical basis for plant toxicoses led to the development of practical methods to counteract such poisoning. McKenzie played a key role in the development of the Department of Primary Industries' DPI natural toxins database. He published over 100 research papers and guides to poisonous plants. His book Australia's poisonous plants, fungi and cyanobacteria: a guide to species of medicinal and veterinary importance (2012) is considered an essential text in the field. McKenzie spent 36 years at the Queensland's Animal Research Institute at Yeerongpilly, retiring in 2009 as Senior Principal Veterinary Pathologist. For some years he chaired the Queensland Poisonous Plants Committee. He also taught veterinary pathology at University of Queensland for 15 years. The Queensland Herbarium holds over 400 of his specimens. McKenzie is an active participant conservation organisations, including the Queensland Naturalists' Club and the Australian Plants Society.
Details
Chronology
- 1971
- Education - BVSc (hons), University of Queensland
- 1973 - 2009
- Career position - Veterinary Pathologist (later Senior Principal Veterinary Pathologist), Animal Research Institute, Queensland Department of Primary Industries
- 1990
- Education - MVSc, University of Queensland
- 1992
- Education - DVSc, University of Queensland
- 2002
- Award - National Excellence in Teaching Award, Australian Veterinary Association
- 2003
- Award - Queensland Natural history Award, Queensland Naturalists' Club
- 2009
- Award - Public Service Medal
Related entries
Published resources
Books
- McKenzie, R. A., Australia's poisonous plants, fungi and cyanobacteria : a guide to species of medical and veterinary importance (Collingwood, Vic.: CSIRO Publishing,, 2012), 950 pp. Details
Journal Articles
- Anon, 'The Queensland Natural History Award, 2003 [awarded to Ross A. McKenzie]', Queensland naturalist 42(1/3):1-3, 42 (1/3) (2003), 1-3. Details
- McKenzie, R. A., 'The Queensland Poisonous Plants Committee: its history and functions', Australian veterinary journal, 72 (1) (1995), 10-17. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1995.tb03468.x. Details
- McKenzie, R. A., 'CT White lecture on historical aspects of plant poisoning', Queensland naturalist, 41 (1/3) (2003), 6-30. Details
Helen Cohn
Created: 27 May 2022