Rate My Professor Deryn Alpers

Deryn Alpers is a Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Ethics at the School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia. A qualified veterinarian with a PhD in conservation genetics, she integrates her expertise in animal health, ethical practices, and genetic research into her academic role. Dr. Alpers contributes significantly to the education of future veterinarians through teaching key undergraduate units. In VET101 Sustainable and Ethical Animal Management, she guides students on environmental sustainability, ethical considerations in animal care, and responsible management practices. Similarly, in VET210 Veterinary Professional Life and Practice I, she covers professional responsibilities, ethical decision-making, and practical skills essential for veterinary careers. Her involvement ensures students are well-prepared for the complexities of modern veterinary practice, emphasizing integrity, sustainability, and animal welfare.

Prior to her focus on veterinary ethics, Dr. Alpers conducted research in conservation genetics, contributing to several peer-reviewed publications that advance understanding of wildlife populations and evolutionary biology. Key works include 'Evidence of Subdivisions on Evolutionary Timescales in a Large, Declining Marsupial Distributed across a Phylogeographic Barrier' (Diversity, 2016), which explores genetic structures in marsupials separated by phylogeographic barriers. She co-authored 'Identifying the presence of quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) and other macropods using cytochrome B analyses from faeces,' demonstrating non-invasive genetic techniques for wildlife detection and monitoring. Additional contributions appear in studies on the population genetics of the roan antelope (Molecular Ecology, 2004), phylogeny of owlet-nightjars, and independent evolution of migration in Swainson's Flycatcher (Journal of Biogeography, 2003). Listed on ResearchGate with 3 publications and 152 citations, her research supports conservation efforts for endangered Australian species like quokkas and hare-wallabies. Dr. Alpers also participated in professional development webinars, such as one on advancing veterinary science education through portfolios. Her career bridges genetic research and ethical veterinary education, influencing both academic scholarship and practical training.