Rate My Professor Paul Sheehy

Professor Paul Sheehy serves as Deputy Head of School in the Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, at the University of Sydney. He has previously acted as Head of School and Dean. Professor Sheehy has maintained a distinguished career at the University of Sydney, including earlier roles such as Senior Lecturer in Cell Biology within the Faculty of Veterinary Science. His contributions to education are extensive, having supervised or co-supervised 36 PhD, Masters, and Honours students. He has been involved in teaching cytology practical classes using WebCT-supported online learning activities and units in the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program.

Professor Sheehy's research interests include molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases, domestic animal stem cell biology with a focus on cellular reprogramming, tissue engineering and bioprinting, cell-based therapeutics, and functional genomics. His research addresses pathogens in companion animals, livestock, and poultry, such as Feline Leukaemia Virus, Coxiella burnetii causing Q fever, Mycoplasma bovis in cattle, and feline calicivirus. Key publications include 'The Diagnosis of Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) Infection Status in Australia' (Westman et al., Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2019), 'Construction and validation of a Bovine Innate Immune Microarray' (Donaldson et al., BMC Genomics, 2005), 'Antiviral effect of mefloquine on feline calicivirus in vitro' (McDonagh et al., 2015), 'Anti-SU Antibody Responses in Client-Owned Cats Following Feline Leukaemia Virus Vaccination' (Westman et al., 2021), and 'Molecular Detection and Characterisation of Coxiella burnetii from Australian Cattle' (Mathews et al., 2024). With 72 publications listed on ResearchGate, his work has received over 1,292 citations.

Professor Sheehy has earned the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence and the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Mentoring and Leadership. His funded research encompasses a seed grant from the University of Sydney-UC Davis partnership for 'Convergence of canine cellular immunotherapy for type 1 diabetes mellitus' (2017). He holds leadership positions with the Dairy Research Foundation and Poultry Research Foundation, and contributes to various professional services and committees at the University.