Dr Valter dos Anjos Almeida staff profile picture

Contact details +64 (06) 356 9099

Dr Valter dos Anjos Almeida Med Vet, PhD - Human Pathology, Vet Med

Research Officer

School of Veterinary Science

Dr Valter Almeida is a veterinarian and bioinformatician, holding a PhD in Human Pathology and a second PhD in Veterinary Science, specialising in bioinformatics and metagenomics. He has experience teaching different disciplines such as immunology and human physiology for human medicine, and veterinary pathology for veterinary medicine. His current research investigates gut microbiomes and the molecular epidemiology of zoonotic infectious diseases, using high-performance computing to explore microbial diversity and host-switching mechanisms. He also contributes to the New Zealand genomics community as a Genomics Aotearoa Training Affiliate.

Professional

Qualifications

  • Animal Science - State University of Santa Cruz (UESC) (2011)
  • Doctor in Human Pathology - Federal University of Bahia (2017)
  • Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine - State University of Santa Cruz (UESC) (2009)

Research Expertise

Research Interests

Research Officer at the mEpiLab - Massey University | Bioinformatics, Disease Ecology & Microbiome Research | Genomics of Pathogen Transmission & Zoonotic Diseases

Researcher in bioinformatics and disease ecology, with expertise in studying gut microbiomes, zoonotic infectious diseases, and microbial interactions. Conducted cutting-edge research analysing over 500 samples and 2,400 bacterial metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) to investigate microbial sharing between humans, mountain gorillas, and livestock in Uganda. Identified hundreds of putative novel bacteria, addressing critical gaps in understanding microbial dynamics in high-intensity human-animal interfaces.

Thematics

Health and Well-being

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Agricultural And Veterinary Sciences (070000):
Epidemiology (111706): Medical And Health Sciences (110000): Public Health and Health Services (111700):
Veterinary Epidemiology (070704): Veterinary Sciences (070700)

Research Outputs

Journal

Knox, MA., Almeida, V., Kalema-Zikusoka, G., Rubanga, S., Ngabirano, A., & Hayman, DTS. (2025). Mitochondrial diversity of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Mountain Gorillas. Genome Biology. 26(1)
[Journal article]Authored by: dos Anjos Almeida, V., Hayman, D., Knox, M.
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Knox, MA., Wierenga, J., Biggs, PJ., Gedye, K., Almeida, V., Hall, R., . . . Hayman, DTS. (2023). Abundant dsRNA picobirnaviruses show little geographic or host association in terrestrial systems. Infection Genetics and Evolution. 112
[Journal article]Authored by: Biggs, P., dos Anjos Almeida, V., Hayman, D., Knox, M.
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1
Almeida, V., Lima, I., Fraga, D., Carrillo, E., Moreno, J., & dos-Santos, WLC. (2021). Hematological Changes in Dogs with Visceral Leishmaniasis Are Associated with Increased IFN- and TNF Gene Expression Levels in the Bone Marrow. Microorganisms. 9(8), Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/8/1618
[Journal article]Authored by: dos Anjos Almeida, V.
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Fernández, L., Carrillo, E., Sánchez-Sampedro, L., Sánchez, C., Ibarra-Meneses, AV., Jimenez, MA., . . . Moreno, J. (2018). Antigenicity of Leishmania-Activated C-Kinase Antigen (LACK) in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells, and Protective Effect of Prime-Boost Vaccination With pCI-neo-LACK Plus Attenuated LACK-Expressing Vaccinia Viruses in Hamsters. Frontiers in Immunology. 9, Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2018.00843/full
[Journal article]Authored by: dos Anjos Almeida, V.
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Abbehusen, MMC., Cunha, J., Suarez, MS., Teixeira, C., Almeida, VDA., Pereira, LDS., . . . Brodskyn, CI. (2018). Immunization of Experimental Dogs With Salivary Proteins From Lutzomyia longipalpis, Using DNA and Recombinant Canarypox Virus Induces Immune Responses Consistent With Protection Against Leishmania infantum. Frontiers in Immunology. 9, Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2018.02558/full
[Journal article]Authored by: dos Anjos Almeida, V.
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Abbehusen, MMC., Almeida, VDA., Solcà, MDS., Pereira, LDS., Costa, DJ., Gil-Santana, L., . . . Brodskyn, CI. (2017). Clinical and immunopathological findings during long term follow-up in Leishmania infantum experimentally infected dogs.. Sci Rep. 7(1), 15914
[Journal article]Authored by: dos Anjos Almeida, V.
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Silva-O'Hare, J., de Oliveira, IS., Klevorn, T., Almeida, VA., Oliveira, GGS., Atta, AM., . . . Dos-Santos, WLC. (2016). Disruption of Splenic Lymphoid Tissue and Plasmacytosis in Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis: Changes in Homing and Survival of Plasma Cells.. PLoS One. 11(5), e0156733
[Journal article]Authored by: dos Anjos Almeida, V.
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Leça Júnior, NF., Guedes, PEB., Santana, LN., Almeida, VDA., Carvalho, FS., Albuquerque, GR., . . . Silva, FL. (2015). Epidemiology of canine leishmaniasis in southern Bahia, Brazil.. Acta Trop. 148, 115-119
[Journal article]Authored by: dos Anjos Almeida, V.
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Lima, IS., Silva, JS., Almeida, VA., Junior, FGL., Souza, PA., Larangeira, DF., . . . dos-Santos, WLC. (2014). Severe clinical presentation of visceral leishmaniasis in naturally infected dogs with disruption of the splenic white pulp.. PLoS One. 9(2), e87742
[Journal article]Authored by: dos Anjos Almeida, V.
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Dos-Santos, WLC., Pagliari, C., Santos, LG., Almeida, VA., e Silva, TLV., Coutinho, JDJ., . . . Costa, CHN. (2014). A case of conventional treatment failure in visceral leishmaniasis: leukocyte distribution and cytokine expression in splenic compartments.. BMC Infect Dis. 14, 491
[Journal article]Authored by: dos Anjos Almeida, V.
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Leça Júnior, NF., Almeida, VDA., Carvalho, FS., Albuquerque, GR., & Silva, FL. (2013). First report of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in naturally infected dogs from southern Bahia, Brazil.. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet. 22(1), 182-185
[Journal article]Authored by: dos Anjos Almeida, V.
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Almeida, VDA., de Magalhães, VCS., Neta, EDSM., & Munhoz, AD. (2011). Frequency of species of the genus Eimeria in naturally infected cattle in Southern Bahia, Northeast Brazil.. Rev Bras Parasitol Vet. 20(1), 78-81
[Journal article]Authored by: dos Anjos Almeida, V.
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de Carvalho, MAG., Santos, PS., Nogueira, SSDC., Lessa, F., Almeida, VDA., Leça-Júnior, NF., . . . Nogueira-Filho, SLG. (2011). Necrotic enteritis in collared (Pecari tajacu) and white-lipped (Tayassu pecari) peccaries.. J Zoo Wildl Med. 42(4), 732-734
[Journal article]Authored by: dos Anjos Almeida, V.
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Teaching and Supervision

Contact Supervisor

Summary of Doctoral Supervision

Position Current Completed
Co-supervisor 2 0

Current Doctoral Supervision

Co-supervisor of:

  • Matthew Osei - Doctor of Philosophy
    Genomic epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of mastitis-causing Staphylococcus aureus in New Zealand dairy sheep.
  • Dinithi Bowatte - Doctor of Philosophy
    One Health, Many Factors: an interdisciplinary feminist study of risk factors for zoonotic disease transmission at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park i

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