Biography

Thomas is a veterinarian in Sydney, Australia. He grew up on a smallholding in rural NSW, and learned about bees from his father. Halfway through his veterinary education, he sought to broaden his understanding of honey bee pathology and applied his veterinary knowledge to a research project attempting to disentangle the interaction between Varroa destructor and the viruses vectored by this mite. After finishing vet school, Thomas commenced a PhD at the University of Sydney, studying honey bee reproduction and pathology, with specific interest in potential for sexually transmissible infections.

Dr. Gillard is fond of teaching, and currently teaches animal studies and advanced beekeeping courses at a vocational level, and animal behaviour at an undergraduate level. Particular areas of interest are in honey bee artificial insemination, pathology, and the clinical approach to honey bee medicine (and the role of the veterinary practitioner in promoting honey bee health and husbandry).