Personal profile
Profile
I graduated from Aberystwyth University with a BSc (First Class) degree in Agriculture with Animal Science (2013) and an MSc (Distinction) in Livestock Science (2014). In 2017, I completed a PhD at Aberystwyth University entitled ‘Epidemiology of Rumen Fluke (Calicophoron daubneyi) on Welsh Farms. During the PhD, I utilized molecular and computational modelling techniques to investigate the epidemiology of rumen fluke infections within its ruminant and intermediate snail host. I was appointed as a lecturer in Livestock Science at IBERS, Aberystwyth University in September 2017.
I’m originally from north Wales, where I was raised on an upland beef and sheep farm. I still take a keen interest in the family farm as well as wider Agriculture issues. My other interest include football and rugby.
Research interests
My research interests lie within the field of veterinary parasitology. I’m particularly interested in developing sustainable parasite control techniques for livestock producers. Ongoing research projects focus on liver fluke, rumen fluke, intermediate snail host Galba truncatula and gastrointestinal nematodes of cattle and sheep. Recently I have utilised environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, deep amplicon sequencing, spatial and temporal modelling, traditional parasitology methods, and precision livestock technology to meet research aims.
Responsibilities
Welsh medium teaching group lead at DLS
FDSc Agriculture scheme coordinator
Member of Farming Connect Programme Board
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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SDG 13 Climate Action
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Body condition score and weight are effective targeted selective treatment indicators for gastrointestinal nematodes in premating ewes
Williams, E. G., Brophy, P. M., Williams, H. W., Evans, S. R., McCalman, H. & Jones, R. A., 31 Jan 2026, In: Veterinary Record. 198, 3, 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus) -
Changes in lying behaviour of housed ewes prior to parturition and their association with ewe characteristics, measured using accelerometers
Williams, M., Davis, C. N., Jones, D. L., Davies, E. S., Vasina, P., Cutress, D., Rose, M. T., Jones, R. A. & Williams, H. W., Sept 2026, In: Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 302, 107053.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
“Not a problem because we drench for it”: the management of liver fluke on sheep farms
Rees, G., Evans, S., Davis, C., Brophy, P., Morphew, R. M., Williams, M., Williams, H. W. & Jones, R., 14 Apr 2026, In: Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 13, 10 p., 1807455.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Ten simple rules for implementing deep amplicon sequencing in parasitology
Šlapeta, J., Krücken, J., Rojas, A., Chambers, A., Melville, L., Martínez-Valladares, M., Canton, C., Francis, E. K., Zahid, O., Albuquerque, A. C. A., Bartley, D. J., Bassetto, C. C., Byrne, O., Colella, V., Costa-Junior, L. M., Doyle, S. R., Evans, M., Ghafar, A., Godoy, P. & Hayashi, N. & 17 others, , 17 Nov 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: International Journal for Parasitology.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Citation (Scopus) -
Assessing periparturient ewe characteristics and nemabiome composition to guide targeted selective treatment for sustainable gastrointestinal nematodes control in sheep
Williams, E. G., Williams, H. W., Brophy, P. M., Evans, S. R., McCalman, H. & Jones, R. A., 30 Jun 2024, In: Animal. 18, 6, 10 p., 101156.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)20 Downloads (Pure) -
Environmental influences on the distribution and ecology of the fluke intermediate host Galba truncatula: A systematic review
Smith, C. D., Morgan, E. R. & Jones, R. A., 03 Dec 2024, In: Parasitology. 151, 11, p. 1201-1224 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile9 Citations (Scopus)67 Downloads (Pure) -
Identification of factors associated with Fasciola hepatica infection risk areas on pastures via an environmental DNA survey of Galba truncatula distribution using droplet digital and quantitative real-time PCR assays
Jones, R. A., Davis, C. N., Nalepa‐Grajcar, J., Woodruff, H., Williams, H. W., Brophy, P. M. & Jones, E., 06 Feb 2024, In: Environmental DNA. 6, 1, 12 p., e371.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile10 Citations (Scopus)332 Downloads (Pure) -
Mapping the discrepancy between farmer perception of liver fluke infection risk areas and actual G. truncatula habitats on Welsh farms.
Jones, R., 30 Aug 2024.Research output: Contribution to conference › Other
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Welsh Sustainable Farming Scheme and liver fluke risk
Jones, R., Rees, G., Brophy, P., Williams, H. W., Morphew, R. M., Williams, M., Davis, C. & Evans, S., 17 Feb 2024, In: Veterinary Record. 194, 4, p. 154-154 1 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Letter
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)28 Downloads (Pure) -
Supplementation of minerals and vitamins influences optimal targeted selective treatment thresholds for the control of gastro-intestinal nematodes in lambs
Hughes, M. E. F., Phillips, E. J. & Jones, R., 31 Oct 2023, In: Veterinary Parasitology. 322, 5 p., 110026.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile6 Citations (Scopus)27 Downloads (Pure) -
Associations between Gastrointestinal Nematode Infection Burden and Lying Behaviour as Measured by Accelerometers in Periparturient Ewes
Williams, E., Davis, C., Williams, M., Jones, D., Cutress, D., Williams, H., Brophy, P., Rose, M., Stuart, R. & Jones, R., 13 Sept 2022, In: Animals. 12, 18, 9 p., 2393.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile9 Citations (Scopus)7 Downloads (Pure)
Datasets
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Combined Soil Dataset
Smith, C., Jones, R., Evans, S., Davis, C., Morphew, R. M., Brophy, P., Rees, G., Girdwood, S., Stiles, W., Morgan, E. R., Williams, M. & Williams, H. W., Prifysgol Aberystwyth | Aberystwyth University, 21 Apr 2026
DOI: 10.20391/4146ad2f-64df-4a32-8249-a3ba21f83ccd
Dataset
File -
Galba truncatula eDNA
Jones, R., Prifysgol Aberystwyth | Aberystwyth University, 21 Jun 2022
DOI: 10.20391/4d577761-47bf-44bd-a11c-da2a9001df9a
Dataset
File
Projects
- 4 Finished
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Population genetic structure of Galba truncatula on commercial sheep farms in Wales
Davis, C. (Project Lead), McKeown, N. (Project Lead) & Jones, R. (Project Lead)
The Joy Welch Educational Charitable Trust
01 Oct 2024 → 01 Apr 2025
Project: Internally funded research
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Precision solutions for controlling fasciolosis in sheep
Jones, R. (Project Lead), Brophy, P. (Researcher Co‑Lead), Morphew, R. (Researcher Co‑Lead), Rees, G. (Researcher Co‑Lead), Williams, M. (Researcher Co‑Lead), Williams, H. (Researcher Co‑Lead) & Davis, C. (Fellow)
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
01 Jun 2023 → 31 May 2026
Project: Externally funded research
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Quantifying livestock behaviour for disease detection using precision livestock monitoring technologies-PhD support-HCC
Jones, R. (Project Lead)
Hybu Cig Cymru | Meat Promotion Wales
01 Sept 2020 → 30 Sept 2023
Project: Externally funded research
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Negotiating Neuroliberalism: Changing Behaviours, Values and Beliefs
Whitehead, M. (Project Lead), Jones, R. (Researcher Co‑Lead) & Pykett, J. (Researcher Co‑Lead)
Economic and Social Research Council
01 Sept 2013 → 28 Feb 2015
Project: Externally funded research
Press/Media
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[Translation] 'Pick up the muck': Appeal to dog owners to reduce cattle abortions
19 Aug 2025
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Media coverage
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Helping farmers tackle major parasitic disease in livestock
27 Jul 2025
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Media coverage
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New research targets deadly parasite draining UK livestock sector
25 Jul 2025
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Media coverage
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New research targets deadly parasite draining UK livestock sector
25 Jul 2025
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Media coverage
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Research Supports Farmers to Tackle Major Parasitic Disease in Livestock
23 Jul 2025
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Media coverage
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Aberystwyth University Issues Report Entitled "Methods of Assessing Linguistic Vitality"
Jones, R., Lewis, H., Royles, E. & Jones, R.
21 Nov 2024
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Media coverage
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Aberystwyth University: Experts Call for New Ways of Collecting Data About the Welsh Language
Jones, R., Lewis, H., Royles, E. & Jones, R.
08 Nov 2024
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Media coverage
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Aberystwyth University Reports Findings in Sustainability Research (Assessing periparturient ewe characteristics and nemabiome composition to guide targeted selective treatment for sustainable gastrointestinal nematodes control in sheep)
Williams, H. W., Jones, R. & Evans, S.
20 May 2024
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Media coverage
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Reports from IBERS Aberystwyth University Add New Study Findings to Research in Environment (Identification of factors associated with Fasciola hepatica infection risk areas on pastures via an environmental DNA survey of Galba truncatula ...)
14 Mar 2024
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Media coverage
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Mud snail DNA test could give answers to liver fluke risk in Welsh sheep flock
05 Jan 2024
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Media coverage
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Aberystwyth University Reports Findings in Science (Supplementation of minerals and vitamins influences optimal targeted selective treatment thresholds for the control of gastro-intestinal nematodes in lambs)
28 Sept 2023
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Media coverage
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BBSRC endemic livestock disease showcase
Jones, R. (Participant)
2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Workshop, Seminar, or Course
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Veterinarian CPD farm walk
Jones, R. (Participant)
18 Nov 2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Workshop, Seminar, or Course
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Farming Connect Our Farms Walks September 2024 - Lower House Farm
Jones, R. (Participant)
2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Workshop, Seminar, or Course
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Royal Welsh Grassland Event
Jones, R. (Participant)
2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Workshop, Seminar, or Course
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Welsh mountain sheep society - Denbighshire group - talk (December 2024, Llangollen)
Jones, R. (Speaker)
2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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Farming Connect Our Farms Walks September 2024 - Glyn Arthur Farm, Denbighshire, Wales
Jones, R. (Participant)
2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Workshop, Seminar, or Course
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Presentation to Population Europe workshop (Michael Woods)
Jones, R. (Speaker) & Woods, M. (Speaker)
2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
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Royal Welsh show 2024
Jones, R. (Participant)
2024Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Workshop, Seminar, or Course
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Public Lecture on 'Fearful Rural Futures and Disruptive Politics' (Michael Woods)
Jones, R. (Speaker)
2024Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation
Prizes
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Queen’s Anniversary Prize 2023
Brophy, P. (Recipient), Hamilton, J. (Recipient), Hoffmann, K. (Recipient), Jones, R. (Recipient), Chalmers, I. (Recipient), Morphew, R. (Recipient), Rinaldi, G. (Recipient), Williams, H. (Recipient) & Barber, I. (Recipient), 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)