Senior Lecturer in Animal Science. I teach undergraduate (BSc) and postgraduate (MSc & PhD) degree programmes. I lead a number of nutrition, biochemistry and research methods modules in the Animal and Bio-veterinary Science Programme Area. I am also responsible for coordinating and chairing the research ethics committee.
I hold the following academic qualifications: a BSc (Hons) in Animal Science (University of Zimbabwe), an MSc in Animal Nutrition (University of Aberdeen), a PG Cert. in Learning and Teaching (Open University), and a PhD in Ruminant Nutrition (University of Cambridge). During my academic career I have received prestigious scholarships and awards, such as The Rotary Foundation Freedom from Hunger Scholarship, The Commonwealth and Livingstone Trust Scholarship, and The Farmers Clubs Charitable Trust scholarship. I hold several professional fellowships namely, Fellow of the Cambridge Commonwealth Society; Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Honarary Member of the Farmers Club, Member of the British Society of Animal Science, and Member of the Nutrition Society.
I graduated with a BSc (Hons) Degree in Animal Science from the University of Zimbabwe in 1991. I then worked as a research and teaching assistant in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Zimbabwe. In 1993, I was awarded the prestigious Rotary Foundation Freedom from Hunger Scholarship to study for an MSc in Animal Nutrition at the University of Aberdeen. On completion in 1994, I was awarded the Cambridge Commonwealth and Livingstone Trust Scholarship to pursue a PhD Degree in Ruminant Nutrition in the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Cambridge. In 1998, I was appointed on a three-year post-doctoral research fellowship in ruminant nutrition at Harper Adams University College. I joined Writtle College in January 2002. I hold a few professional memberships such as: Fellow of the Cambridge Commonwealth Society, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and Honorary Membership of the Farmers Club.PhD, Ruminant Nutrition (University of Cambridge)
PG Cert, Learning & Teaching in Higher Education (Open University)
MSc, Animal Nutrition (University of Aberdeen)
BSc (Hons), Animal Science (University of Zimbabwe)
My main area of specialisation is animal nutrition science. I teach the following modules at BSc and MSc level:
Introduction to Biochemistry
Nutritional Biochemistry
Principles of Animal Nutrition
Applied Nutrition and Feeding
Research Methods
Nutritional Issues in Animal Welfare
Current Issues in Animal Science
Livestock Production Systems
My areas of research interest include utilisation of nitrogen and energy sources in ruminants. I am also interested in the metabolism and utilisation of dietary fatty acids and vitamins in ruminants, and their effects on semen quality and ruminant food products such as meat and milk. Recently, we have been working to investigate the effects of essential oils on the activities or rumen micro-organisms in vitro.
PUBLICATIONS Chaudhry A. S., Chikunya S., Flockhart J., Gibbons, J., Houdijk, J. G., Kelly A., Kenny, D. A. Mannsbridge, S. C., Mayes, R. W., Nash, D. M., Richardson, R. I., Rooke J. A., Rose M. T., Steele M. A., Wolf B. T. and Wood S. [Editors], (2016). Advances in Animal Biosciences: Animal Science for a Sustainable Future. Volume 7, Issue 1, April 2016 (ISSN 2040-4700). Cambridge University Press.Athanasiadou S., Chaudhry A. S., Chikunya S., Denwood, M., Flockhart J., Flynn J., Gibbons, J., Houdijk, J. G., Kenny, D. A., Mather, A., Mayes, R. W., McNeilly T., Nash, D. M., Richardson, R. I., Rooke J. A., Rose M. T., Steele M. A., Rymer, C., Wall E., Wolf B. T. and Wylie S. [Editors], (2015). Advances in Animal Biosciences: Science with Impact. Volume 6, Issue 1, April 2015. Cambridge University PressAthanasiadou S., Chaudhry A. S., Chikunya S., Denwood, M., Eckersall D. P., Flockhart J., Flynn J., Gibbons, J., Houdijk, J. G., Kenny, D. A., King T., Mather, A., Mayes, R. W., McNeilly T., Nash, D. M., Richardson, R. I., Rooke J. A., Rose M. T., Steele M. A., Waters, S., Wall E., Wolf B. T. and Wylie S. [Editors] (2014). Advances in Animal Biosciences: Science into Practice and Planning for Intensification. Volume 5, Issue 1, April 2014, Cambridge University Press.Eburu P. and Chikunya, S. (2015). Effects of ten whole essential oils on rumen fermentation and biohydrogenation of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by rumen microorganisms in vitro. Advances in Animal Biosciences 6 (2) pp. 203. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.Eburu F. and Chikunya, S. (2015). The effects of graded doses of 4‐allylanisole, anethole, anise oil and cassia oil on fermentation and biohydrogenation of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by rumen microorganisms in vitro. Advances in Animal Biosciences 6 (2) pp. 204. Cambridge, Cambridge University PressSgwane T.S., Chikunya S. and Wallace R. J. (2014) Effect of (+)-α-pinene and L-menthone on selected Butyrivibrio species and ruminal biohydrogenation of linoleic acid in vitro. Rowett-INRA 9th Joint Symposium, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK 16 – 19 June 2014.Collingbourne S.J., De Luna C.J., Chikunya S. and Carter A. (2014). The commercial viability of crossbreeding modern and traditional pig breeds. Advances in Animal Bioscience 5 (1) pp. 140. Cambridge, Cambridge University PressEburu F. and Chikunya, S. (2014). Assessment of the effects of fifteen compounds from essential oil extracts on the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids by rumen microorganisms in vitro. Advances in Animal Bioscience 5 (1) pp. 78. Cambridge, Cambridge University PressGilman F. and Chikunya, S. (2014). The effects of whole clove bud oil or its three principal constituent components on the biohydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids by rumen microorganisms in vitro. Advances in Animal Bioscience 5 (1) pp. 84. Cambridge, Cambridge University PressSgwane TS, Wallace RJ, Chikunya S (2013). Effect of essential oil compounds on metabolism of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids by ruminal microbes in vitro. In: Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science and the Association of Veterinary Teaching and Research Work 16-17 April 2013; University of Nottingham, 576 UK: Cambridge University PressSgwane, T. S., Wallace R.J. and Chikunya, S. (2013). The effects of essential oil compounds on the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids by rumen microorganisms in vitro. Advances in Animal Biosciences 4 (1), pp. 41. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.Bokharaeian, M. and Chikunya, S. (2012). Effects of 3-carene, resorcinol, and p-cresol on the metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids by rumen microorganisms in vitro. Advances in Animal Biosciences 3 (1), pp. 106. Cambridge, Cambridge University PressAdebiyi, A.O. and Chikunya, S. (2011). The effects of combining sodium hydroxide treatment with fungal cellulases on the in vitro fermentation characteristics of wheat straw. Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science, pp. 71. Wageningen Academic Publishers, Netherlands.Mufungwe, J. and Chikunya, S. (2011). The effects of phenylpropanoid essential oil compounds on the fermentation characteristics of a dairy cow ration in vitro. Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science, pp. 276. Wageningen Academic Publishers, Netherlands.Schwitzer C., J. Bilstra, Chikunya S. and Carroll J. B. (2010). Nutrient digestibility and digestive efficiency in Livingstone’s fruit bats (Pteropus livingstonii). Proceedings of the 6th European Zoo Nutrition Conference, Barcelona, Spain: 28-31 January 2010Estuty N., Chikunya S. and Scaife J. (2010). Extent of biohydrogenation by rumen micro-organisms on n-3 PUFA in two protected fat sources incubated in vitro. Proceedings of the European Association of Animal Production. pp. 215. Wageningen Academic Publishers, Netherlands.Mitchell K. and Chikunya S. (2010). The effects of individual or blended essential oils on rumen gas production and ammonia accumulation in vitro. Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science, pp 28. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.Kikuchi A., Bleach E. and Chikunya S. (2010). Influence of cat owners' feeding practice and attitude towards obesity on body condition of cats. Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science, pp 107. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.Estuty N., Chikunya S. and Scaife J. (2009). Effects of feeding protected linseed or fish oil on the lipid composition and characteristics of Suffolk ram semen. Proceedings of the European Association of Animal Production, pp. 562. Wageningen Academic Publishers.Estuty N., Chikunya S. and Scaife J. (2008). Effects of n-3 PUFA on the quality of Suffolk rams. Proceedings of the European Association of Animal Production, pp 225.Wageningen Academic Publishers.Estuty N., Chikunya S. and Scaife J. (2008). Effects of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids on the quality of Suffolk rams. Proceedings of the Society of Feed Technologists.Yaxley M., Schwitzer C. and Chikunya S (2008). Diet selection and nutrient intakes of lion tamarins (Leontopithecus spp): a preliminary study. Proceeding of the 5th European Zoo Nutrition Conference, Chester: 24-27th January 2008Gosling, R. J., Chikunya S. and Scaife J. (2006). The effects of lead salt speciation and concentration on rumen microbial activity, in-vitro. Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science, pp. 234.Gosling, R. J., Chikunya S. and Scaife J. (2006). The effects of cadmium on parameters of fermentation by rumen micro-organisms in-vitro. Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science, pp. 230.Sinclair L. A., Cooper S. L., Chikunya S., Wilkinson R. G., Hallett K. G, Enser M. and Wood J. D. (2005). Biohydrogenation of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the rumen and their effects on microbial metabolism and plasma fatty acid concentrations in sheep. Animal Science 81: 239-244Chikunya S., Demirel G., Enser M., Wood J. D., Wilkinson R. G. and Sinclair L. A. (2004). Biohydrogenation of dietary n-3 PUFA and stability of ingested vitamin E in the rumen, and their effects on microbial activity in sheep. British Journal of Nutrition 91: 539-550.Chikunya S. (2004). Gastrointestinal microbiology of farm animals: In The Encyclopaedia of Farm Animal Nutrition (Editors, M. F. Fuller, S. P. Lall, K. J. McCracken, H. Omed and C. J. C. Phillips), CABI Publishing, Oxford, UK.Chikunya S, Sinclair L. A., Wilkinson R. G. (2002). Influence of dietary fatty acids on the milk fat composition and performance of lactating Friesland ewes. Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science, pp. 97.Cooper S. L., Sinclair L. A., Wilkinson R. G., Chikunya S., Hallet K., Enser M and Wood J. D. (2002). Rumen biohydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acid sources and their effect on plasma fatty acid status in sheep. Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science, pp. 177.Cooper S. L., Sinclair L. A., Huntington J. A., Wilkinson R. G., Chikunya S., Enser M. and Wood J. D. (2001). The biohydrogenation of n-3 fatty acids determined in vitro. Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science, pp. 147.Chikunya S, Sinclair L. A., Wilkinson R. G., Chikunya S., Hallet K., Enser M. and Wood J. D. (2000). Biohydrogenation of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and stability of ingested vitamin E in the rumen of sheep. Proceedings of the Japanese Society for Rumen metabolism and Physiology, 11(2): 46.Chikunya S (1999). Microbial protein synthesis and fibre digestion in the rumen in relation to the form of supplementary nitrogen. PhD Thesis, University of Cambridge,UK.Chikunya S., Newbold C. J., Rode L., Chen X. B. and Wallace R. J. (1996). Influence of rumen degradable protein on bacterial growth in the rumen of sheep receiving different energy sources. Animal feed Science and Technology, 63: 333-340.Chikunya S (1994). Effects of rumen degradable protein on bacterial growth in the rumen of sheep receiving different energy sources. MSc Thesis, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.