Dr Krista McLennan
Head of the School
Dr Krista McLennan is the Head of the School of Natural Sciences. Prior to this, Dr McLennan was the Head of Department for Biological Sciences. Dr McLennan first joined the University of Chester as a lecturer in Animal Behaviour in 2015 after completing her post-doctoral studies at University of Cambridge. Dr McLennan worked on the Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN) project, a large EU funded project involving more than 10 other countries.
As Head of School, Dr McLennan works within a diverse team of experts in biology, chemistry, and physics, allowing for a cross-disciplinary approach to research, teaching and innovation across the School. The integration of key sciences helps to prepare students to become future scientists and leaders. The role includes a range of responsibilities, including guiding and delivering the vision of the School; to be a nationally and internationally recognised School for its excellence in innovative & inclusive teaching, and research.
Dr McLennan has a drive to share her passion for animal welfare and for facilitating the learning of others. As Head of School, Dr McLennan sits on the Academic Leadership Group, Faculty Management Group, and other University and Faculty level sub-committees, to ensure that the Schools priorities align with the Universities Citizen Student Strategy. Dr McLennan's inspirational leadership helps to ensure the development, growth, and financial sustainability of the Schools portfolio. Dr McLennan also ensures that the School has a successful, innovative and inclusive teaching and research environment for both staff and students.
Dr McLennan’s main areas of teaching expertise include the behaviour, health and husbandry of production animals and applying this to welfare assessments. Dr McLennan also has interests in how disease and an animals physiology play a key role in their behaviour and how technology can help improve welfare in a variety of settings.
Dr Krista McLennan is an animal welfare and behaviour scientist. Dr McLennan's research focuses on the behavioural indicators of pain, and the relationship between disease, behaviour, and welfare. Dr McLennan's most recent research has focused on the use of facial expression to understand pain and distress in sheep and brachycephalic dogs suffering from BOAS. Dr McLennan has also worked with horses, donkeys, and dairy cattle, to understand the effect of their social environment, housing and management on their welfare.
Dr McLennan has working collaborations with Dr Marwa Mahmoud from the University of Glasgow School of Computing and Dr Jane Ladlow from University of Cambridge and the Cambridge BOAS Research Group. Current projects include developing an automated system for facial expression and lameness detection, and developing a facial expression scale to assess the welfare of Brachycephalic dogs.
Papers
2024
2022
2021
Harley, J.J.; Stack, J.D.; Braid, H.; McLennan, K.M.; Stanley, C.R. Evaluation of the Feasibility, Reliability, and Repeatability of Welfare Indicators in Free-Roaming Horses: A Pilot Study. Animals 2021, 11, 1981. 2020
Pessanha, F., McLennan, K.M., Mahmoud, M. (2020) Towards automatic monitoring of disease progression in sheep: A hierarchical model for sheep facial expressions analysis from video. In: IEEE International Conference on Automatic Face and Gesture Recognition, Buenos Aires, May 2020
2019
McLennan, K.M., Miller, A. L., Dalla Costa, E., Stucke, D., Corke, M.J., Broom, D.M., and Leach, M.C. (2019) Conceptual and methodological issues relating to pain assessment in mammals: the development and utilisation of pain facial expression scales. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 217, 1-15.
Invited commentary
McLennan, K.M. (2019). The importance of practical research. Animal Sentience, 25(31)
Invited paper
McLennan, K.M., and Mahmoud, M. (2019) Development of an automated pain facial expression detection system for sheep (Ovis aries). Animals, 9, 196 doi:10.3390/ani9040196
2018
Invited paper.
McLennan, K.M. (2018) Why Pain is Still a Welfare Issue for Farm Animals, and How Facial Expression Could be the Answer. Agriculture, 8(8), 127.
2016
McLennan, K.M., Rebelo, C.J.R., Corke, M.J, Holmes, M.A., Leach, M.C., and Constantino-Casas, F., (2016) Corrigendum to “Development of a facial expression scale using footrot and mastitis as models of pain in sheep”. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. Vol 179; 105-107.
McLennan, K.M., Rebelo, C.J.R., Corke, M.J, Holmes, M.A., Leach, M.C., and Constantino-Casas, F., (2016) Development of a facial expression scale using footrot and mastitis as models of pain in sheep. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. Vol 176; 19-25.
2015
McLennan, K. M., Skillings, E.A., Rebelo, C. J. B., Corke, M.J., Pires Moreira, M.A., Morton, A. J., and Constantino-Casas, F. (2015). Technical note: Validation of an automatic recording system to assess behavioural activity level in sheep (Ovis aries). Small Ruminant Research. Vol 127, pp. 92-96.
2014
Corke, M.J., McLennan, K.M., Rebelo, C.J.R., Constantino-Casas, F. (2014). Assessment of Pain in Sheep. Proceedings of the Sheep Veterinary Society, Vol 38, pp. 7-12.
Corke, M.J., McLennan, K.M., Rebelo, C.J.R., Constantino-Casas, F. (Jan 2014). Assessment of Pain in Farm Animals. Goat Veterinary Society Journal. 30; 60-68.
2012
McLennan, K. M., (2012). Farmyard Friends. The Biologist, 59(4) p. 18-22.
Conference proceedings
2017
McLennan, K.M., and Leach, M.C. (2017). Using Facial Expression to Assess Emotional State. In: Proceedings for UFAW International Animal Welfare Science Symposium, Measuring Animal Welfare and Applying Scientific Advances: Why Is It Still So Difficult? Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, UK. 27th – 29th June 2017. P.73.
McLennan, K.M., Corke, M.J., and Constantino-Casas, F. (2017). Biomarkers of pain – separating pain from inflammation. In: Proceedings for UFAW International Animal Welfare Science Symposium, Measuring Animal Welfare and Applying Scientific Advances: Why Is It Still So Difficult? Royal Holloway, University of London, Surrey, UK. 27th – 29th June 2017. P.144.
2015
McLennan, K. M. Rebelo, C. J. B., Corke, M., Holmes, M., and Constantino-Casas, F. (2015). Behavioural and pain biomarkers of sheep with footrot and mastitis. In: Proceedings for the Final conference for Animal Welfare Indicators project, Brussels.
2014
McLennan, K. M. Rebelo, C. J. B., Corke, M., Holmes, M., and Constantino-Casas, F. (2014). The development of a facial grimace score in adult sheep. In: Proceedings of the Regional Meeting of the International Society of Applied Ethology, UK / Eire.
McLennan, K. M. Rebelo, C. J. B., Corke, M., Holmes, M., and Constantino-Casas, F. (2014). The facial expression of sheep with footrot and its relationship with lameness, total lesion score and faecal cortisol. In: Proceedings of the 48th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology P111.
McLennan, K. M. Rebelo, C. J. B., Corke, M., Holmes, M., and Constantino-Casas, F. (2014). Facial expression as a pain indicator in sheep. In: Proceedings for the 3rd Annual conference for Animal Welfare Indicators project, Prague P25.
McLennan, K. M. Rebelo, C. J. B., Corke, M., Holmes, M., and Constantino-Casas, F. (2014). Facial expression as a pain indicator in small ruminants. In: Proceedings for the 3rd Annual conference for Animal Welfare Indicators project, Prague. P10.
Rebelo, C. J. B., McLennan, K. M., Corke, M., Holmes, M., and Constantino-Casas, F (2014). Indicators of pain in sheep suffering from pregnancy Toxaemia. In: Proceedings for the 3rd Annual conference for Animal Welfare Indicators project, Prague P27.
Fritha Langford, Jill MacKay, Carol Thompson, Adroaldo J Zanella, Pericles Varella Gomes, Donald M Broom, Bjarne O Braastad, Judit Vas, Andreia De Paula Vieira, Murray J Corke, Carlos J Rebelo, Krista M McLennan. (2014). Digital learning materials on assessing pain and disease in sheep In: Proceedings for the 3rd Annual conference for Animal Welfare Indicators project, Prague P.55.
Rebelo, C. J. B., McLennan, K. M., Corke, M.J, Holmes, M.A, and Constantino-Casas, F (2014). Thermography as a pain-indicator in sheep: footrot as an example. In: Proceedings for the 3rd Annual conference for Animal Welfare Indicators project, Prague P11.
Rebelo, C. J. B.; McLennan, K. M.; Corke, M.J.; Broom, D. M.; and Constantino-Casas, F. (2014). Preliminary observations of pain indicators in sheep with pregnancy toxaemia In: Proceedings for the XXVIII World Buiatrics Congress, Cairns, Australia, 158. Eight Mile Plains Qld: Australian Cattle Veterinarians. (Abstr.).
Rebelo, C. J. B., Ajuda, I. G., McLennan, K. M., Lima, M.S., Stilwell, G., Corke, M.J., and Constantino-Casas, F. (2014). Pregnancy toxaemia in small ruminants - how does it develop in sheep and goats In: Proceedings for the XXVIII World Buiatrics Congress, Cairns, Australia, 140. Eight Mile Plains Qld: Australian Cattle Veterinarians. (Abstr.).
McLennan, K. M., Littlemore, J., McCormick, W., (2014). The effects of a dynamic group system on the social bonds of dairy cattle. In: Proceedings of Recent advances in animal welfare science IV, UFAW Animal Welfare Conference, York. P17.
2013
McLennan, K. M., Rebelo, C. J. B., Corke, M., Holmes, M., and Constantino-Casas, F., (2013). Preliminary observations of pain indicators in sheep with footrot. 2nd Annual Conference, Animal Welfare Indicators Project, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
Rebelo, C. J., McLennan, K.M., Corke, M., Holmes, M., and Constantino-Casas, F., (2013). Clinical efficacy of tulathromycin administration in sheep with foot rot – preliminary results. 17th International symposium and 9th International Conference on Lameness in Ruminants 2013, Bristol, UK.
Rebelo, C. J. B., McLennan, K. M., Corke, M., Holmes, M., and Constantino-Casas, F., (2013). Indicators of pain in sheep with mastitis. 2nd Annual Conference, Animal Welfare Indicators Project, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
Rebelo, C. J. B., McLennan, K. M., Corke, M., Holmes, M., and Constantino-Casas, F., (2013). Indicators of pain in sheep with mastitis. 9th International Veterinary Behaviour Meeting, Portugal
McLennan, K. M., Rebelo, C. J. B., Corke, M., Holmes, M., and Constantino-Casas, F. (2013). Preliminary observations of pain indicators in sheep with foot-rot. 9th International Veterinary Behaviour Meeting, Portugal
2012
McLennan, K.M., Littlemore, J., McCormick, W., (2012). The Effects of Short-Term Separation on Physiological Parameters of Dairy Cattle: Heart Rate Versus Cortisol. In: Proceedings of the Regional Meeting of the International Society of Applied Ethology, UK / Eire
McLennan, K. M., Littlemore, J., McCormick, W., (2012). Husbandry Practices in Large Dynamic Dairy Herds: The Effects of Social Support. In: Proceedings of SET for BRITAIN, Biological and Biomedical Sciences Exhibition, House of Commons.
2011
McLennan, K. M., (2011). The Cardiac responses of cattle when isolated either with or without their preferred partner. In: Proceedings of Postgraduate Research Degree Student & Early Career Researcher, Annual Research Conference 2011, The University of Northampton.
2010
McLennan, K. M., Stewart, C., Meredith, J., (2010). Social Bonds in Dairy Cattle – Preliminary Observations. In: Proceedings of the Regional Meeting of the International Society of Applied Ethology, UK / Eire 2008.
McLennan, K. M., (2008). Aggressive behaviour of the domestic donkey (Equus asinus): Is it related to gender, age or ranking position? In: Proceedings of the UFAW Animal Welfare Conference, Recent advances in animal welfare science, Birmingham Council House, 3rd July 2008.
McLennan, K. M., (2008). Social Bonds in Dairy Cattle: Effects of dynamic group systems on welfare and productivity. In: Proceedings of the Third Student Animal Welfare Conference, Writtle College.
Book Chapters
Mahmoud, M., Lu, Y., Hou, X., McLennan, K., Robinson, P. (2018). Estimation of Pain in Sheep Using Computer Vision. In: Moore, R.J. (ed). Handbook of Pain and Palliative Care. 2nd Ed. Springer Nature GB, Chum, Switzerland P.145-157.
Chapman, S.J. and McLennan, K.M. (2018). Chapter Eight: Handling and Restraint of Horses and Donkeys. In: Chapman, S.J. (ed). Safe Handling and Restraint of Animals: A Comprehensive Guide. Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, West Sussex, UK.
McLennan, K.M., and Chapman, S.J. (2018). Chapter Nine: Handling and Restraint of Cattle. In: Chapman, S.J. (ed). Safe Handling and Restraint of Animals: A Comprehensive Guide. Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, West Sussex, UK.
McLennan, K.M., and Chapman, S.J. (2018). Chapter Ten: Handling and Restraint of Small Ruminants. In: Chapman, S.J. (ed). Safe Handling and Restraint of Animals: A Comprehensive Guide. Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, West Sussex, UK.
McLennan, K.M., and Chapman, S.J. (2018). Chapter Eleven: Handling and Restraint of Pigs. In: Chapman, S.J. (ed). Safe Handling and Restraint of Animals: A Comprehensive Guide. Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, West Sussex, UK.
McLennan, K.M., and Chapman, S.J. (2018). Chapter Twelve: Handling and Restraint of South American Camelids. In: Chapman, S.J. (ed). Safe Handling and Restraint of Animals: A Comprehensive Guide. Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, West Sussex, UK.
Invited talks
McLennan, K. M., (2013). Social Bonds in Dairy Cattle: The effect of dynamic group systems on Welfare and productivity, Centre for Animal Welfare and Anthrozoology Seminars, University of Cambridge.
McLennan, K. M., (2011). Effects of Having a Preferred Partner Present on the Heart Rate of Heifers During Short-Term Social Isolation. Centre for Animal Welfare and Anthrozoology Seminars, University of Cambridge.
McLennan, K.M., and Leach, M.C. (2017). Utiliser l’expression faciale pour évaluer l’état émotionnel. In: Proceedings of Afstal 43e Colloque, Éthologie en Expérimentation Animale, Lyon, France, 7-9 Juin 2017.
Industry Collaborations
McLennan, K.M., (2017). Recognising, assessing and alleviating pain in sheep. Farm Animal Well Being Series Booklet, Boehringer Ingelheim.