Following a PhD focused on bacterial genetics from the University of Aberdeen, Damer began working in the area of poultry gut health in 2001 at the Institute for Animal Health (IAH, UK). During his time at IAH he carried out fundamental and applied genetics-led research into coccidiosis, contributing to the Eimeria genome sequencing consortium and working towards new, cost-effective anticoccidial vaccines. Damer joined the Royal Veterinary College in 2010, becoming Professor of Parasite Genetics in 2016. Current research strands include population genetic analyses of recognised and new Eimeria species, development of novel vaccine delivery strategies, understanding the genetic basis of host resistance to coccidiosis, interactions of Eimeria with bacterial microbiota of poultry, dysbiosis and wider aspects of gut health. Recent work includes exploring host – parasite – microbiome interactions in Asian and European chicken production systems, understanding the impact of host genotype and antimicrobial exposure. In 2017 Damer became Editor-in-Chief of the journal Avian Pathology.
