College of Sciences staff by location (campus)

Dr Sara Burgess staff profile picture

Contact details +6469518146

Dr Sara Burgess MSc, PhD

Research Officer

Doctoral Supervisor
School of Veterinary Science

Professional

Contact details

  • Ph: ext 85146
    Location: 1.23, Hopkirk
    Campus: Turitea

Qualifications

  • Master of Science - Massey University (2006)
  • Doctor of Philosophy - Massey University (2016)

Certifications and Registrations

  • Licence, Supervisor, Massey University

Prizes and Awards

  • New Zealand - China Emerging Researcher Fellowship - New Zealand - China Food Protection Network (2018)
  • Fulbright Science and Innovation Graduate Award - Fulbright New Zealand (2011)

Research Expertise

Research Interests

Thermophillic bacilli

Antimicrobial resistance

Biofilms

Thematics

Health and Well-being

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Biological Sciences (060000): Infectious Agents (060502): Microbial Genetics (060503): Microbiology (060500)

Research Projects

Summary of Research Projects

Position Current Completed
Project Leader 4 14
Team Member 0 2

Research Outputs

Journal

Collis, RM., Biggs, PJ., Burgess, SA., Midwinter, AC., Brightwell, G., & Cookson, AL. (2024). Impact of systemic antimicrobial therapy on the faecal microbiome in symptomatic dairy cows. PLoS ONE. 19(1 January)
[Journal article]Authored by: Biggs, P., Burgess, S., Midwinter, A.
Mwenifumbo, M., Cookson, AL., Zhao, S., Fayaz, A., Browne, AS., Benschop, J., . . . Burgess, SA. (2023). Corrigendum: The characterisation of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli from dairy calves. Journal of medical microbiology. 72(10)
[Journal article]Authored by: Benschop, J., Burgess, S., Fayaz, A.
Mwenifumbo, M., Cookson, AL., Zhao, S., Fayaz, A., Benschop, J., & Burgess, SA. (2023). The characterisation of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia coli from dairy calves. Journal of Medical Microbiology. 72(8)
[Journal article]Authored by: Benschop, J., Burgess, S., Fayaz, A.
Toombs-Ruane, LJ., Marshall, JC., Benschop, J., Drinković, D., Midwinter, AC., Biggs, PJ., . . . Burgess, SA. (2023). Extended-spectrum β-lactamase- and AmpC β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales associated with urinary tract infections in the New Zealand community: a case-control study. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 128, 325-334
[Journal article]Authored by: Benschop, J., Biggs, P., Burgess, S., Douwes, J., French, N., Marshall, J., Midwinter, A., Roberts, M.
Burgess, SA., Moinet, M., Brightwell, G., & Cookson, AL. (2022). Whole genome sequence analysis of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli recovered from New Zealand freshwater sites. Microbial Genomics. 8(10)
[Journal article]Authored by: Burgess, S.
Collis, RM., Biggs, PJ., Burgess, SA., Midwinter, AC., Brightwell, G., & Cookson, AL. (2022). Prevalence and distribution of extended-spectrum β-lactamase and AmpC-producing Escherichia coli in two New Zealand dairy farm environments. Frontiers in Microbiology. 13
[Journal article]Authored by: Biggs, P., Burgess, S., Midwinter, A.
Pattis, I., Weaver, L., Burgess, S., Ussher, JE., & Dyet, K. (2022). Antimicrobial Resistance in New Zealand—A One Health Perspective. Antibiotics. 11(6)
[Journal article]Authored by: Burgess, S.
Burgess, SA., Palevich, FP., Gardner, A., Mills, J., Brightwell, G., & Palevich, N. (2022). Occurrence of genes encoding spore germination in Clostridium species that cause meat spoilage. Microbial Genomics. 8(2)
[Journal article]Authored by: Burgess, S.
Burgess, SA., Cookson, AL., Brousse, L., Ortolani, E., Benschop, J., Akhter, R., . . . McDougall, S. (2021). The epidemiology of AmpC-producing Escherichia coli isolated from dairy cattle faeces on pasture-fed farms. Journal of Medical Microbiology. 70(10)
[Journal article]Authored by: Benschop, J., Burgess, S.
Bloomfield, SJ., Benschop, J., Midwinter, AC., Biggs, PJ., Marshall, JC., Hayman, DTS., . . . French, NP. (2021). Genomic and phenotypic comparison of two Salmonella Typhimurium strains responsible for consecutive salmonellosis outbreaks in New Zealand. International Journal of Medical Microbiology. 311(7)
[Journal article]Authored by: Benschop, J., Biggs, P., Burgess, S., French, N., Hayman, D., Marshall, J., Midwinter, A.
Roberts, MG., Burgess, S., Toombs-Ruane, LJ., Benschop, J., Marshall, JC., & French, NP. (2021). Combining mutation and horizontal gene transfer in a within-host model of antibiotic resistance. Mathematical Biosciences. 339
[Journal article]Authored by: Benschop, J., Burgess, S., French, N., Marshall, J., Roberts, M.
Gray, HA., Biggs, PJ., Midwinter, AC., & Burgess, SA. (2021). Genome sequences for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing escherichia coli strains isolated from different water sources. Microbiology Resource Announcements. 10(24)
[Journal article]Authored by: Biggs, P., Burgess, S., Midwinter, A.
Burgess, SA., Francois, M., Midwinter, AC., & Biggs, PJ. (2021). Draft genome sequences of seven extended-spectrum β-Lactamase-producing escherichia coli strains isolated from New Zealand waterways. Microbiology Resource Announcements. 10(11)
[Journal article]Authored by: Biggs, P., Burgess, S., Midwinter, A.
Burgess, SA., Aplin, J., Biggs, PJ., Breckell, G., Benschop, J., Fayaz, A., . . . Midwinter, AC. (2021). Characterisation of AmpC and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing E. coli from New Zealand dairy farms. International Dairy Journal. 117
[Journal article]Authored by: Benschop, J., Biggs, P., Burgess, S., Fayaz, A., Midwinter, A.
Palevich, N., Palevich, FP., Maclean, PH., Altermann, E., Gardner, A., Burgess, S., . . . Brightwell, G. (2021). Comparative genomics of Clostridium species associated with vacuum-packed meat spoilage. Food Microbiology. 95
[Journal article]Authored by: Altermann, E., Burgess, S.
Toombs-Ruane, LJ., Benschop, J., French, NP., Biggs, PJ., Midwinter, AC., Marshall, JC., . . . Burgess, SA. (2020). Carriage of Extended-Spectrum-Beta-Lactamase- and AmpC Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Strains from Humans and Pets in the Same Households. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 86(24), 1-15
[Journal article]Authored by: Benschop, J., Biggs, P., Burgess, S., Douwes, J., Fayaz, A., French, N., Marshall, J., Midwinter, A., Roberts, M.
Collis, RM., Burgess, SA., Biggs, PJ., Midwinter, AC., French, NP., Toombs-Ruane, L., . . . Cookson, AL. (2019). Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing enterobacteriaceae in dairy farm environments: A New Zealand perspective. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease. 16(1), 5-22
[Journal article]Authored by: Biggs, P., Burgess, S., French, N., Midwinter, A.
Burgess, SA., Flint, SH., Lindsay, D., Cox, MP., & Biggs, PJ. (2017). Insights into the Geobacillus stearothermophilus species based on phylogenomic principles. BMC Microbiology. 17(1)
[Journal article]Authored by: Biggs, P., Burgess, S., Flint, S.
Priest, P., Toombs-Ruane, L., Benschop, J., Burgess, S., French, N., & Murdoch, D. (2017). A One Health future to meet the AMR challenge?. New Zealand Veterinary Journal. 65(2), 60-61
[Journal article]Authored by: Benschop, J., Burgess, S., French, N.
Toombs-Ruane, LJ., Benschop, J., Burgess, S., Priest, P., Murdoch, DR., & French, NP. (2017). Multidrug resistant Enterobacteriaceae in New Zealand: a current perspective. New Zealand Veterinary Journal. 65(2), 62-70
[Journal article]Authored by: Benschop, J., Burgess, S., French, N.
Burgess, SA., Cox, MP., Flint, SH., Lindsay, D., & Biggs, PJ. (2015). Draft genome sequences of three strains of Geobacillus stearothermophilus isolated from a milk powder manufacturing plant. Genome Announcements. 3(5)
[Journal article]Authored by: Biggs, P., Burgess, S., Flint, S.
Burgess, SA., Lindsay, D., & Flint, SH. (2014). Biofilms of thermophilic bacilli isolated from dairy processing plants and efficacy of sanitizers. Methods in Molecular Biology. 1147, 367-377
[Journal article]Authored by: Burgess, S., Flint, S.
Burgess, SA., Flint, SH., & Lindsay, D. (2014). Characterization of thermophilic bacilli from a milk powder processing plant. Journal of Applied Microbiology. 116(2), 350-359
[Journal article]Authored by: Burgess, S., Flint, S.
Lindsay, D., Burgess, S., & Flint, SH. (2013). Misinterpretations in the article: A survey on occurrence of thermophilic bacilli in commercial milk powders in China by Yuan et al., Food Control 25 (2012) 752-757. Food Control. 31(2), 617-618
[Journal article]Authored by: Burgess, S., Flint, S.
Burgess, SA., Lindsay, D., & Flint, SH. (2010). Thermophilic bacilli and their importance in dairy processing. International Journal of Food Microbiology. 144(2), 215-225
[Journal article]Authored by: Burgess, S., Flint, S.
Burgess, SA., Brooks, JD., Rakonjac, J., Walker, KM., & Flint, SH. (2009). The formation of spores in biofilms of Anoxybacillus flavithermus. Journal of Applied Microbiology. 107(3), 1012-1018
[Journal article]Authored by: Burgess, S., Flint, S., Rakonjac, J.
Scott, SA., Brooks, JD., Rakonjac, J., Walker, KMR., & Flint, SH. (2007). The formation of thermophilic spores during the manufacture of whole milk powder. International Journal of Dairy Technology. 60(2), 109-117
[Journal article]Authored by: Burgess, S., Flint, S., Rakonjac, J.

Book

Flint, S., Bremer, P., Brooks, J., Palmer, J., Burgess, S., & Seale, B. (2021). Biofilm formation and control in the dairy industry. In Encyclopedia of Dairy Sciences: Third edition. (pp. 87 - 94).
[Chapter]Authored by: Burgess, S., Flint, S., Palmer, J.
Seale, B., Burgess, S., Flint, S., Brooks, J., Bremer, P., & Parkar, S. (2015). Thermophilic spore-forming bacilli in the dairy industry. In Biofilms in the Dairy Industry. (pp. 112 - 137).
[Chapter]Authored by: Burgess, S., Flint, S.Edited by: Flint, S.
Flint, S., Palmer, J., Bremer, P., Seale, B., Brooks, J., Lindsay, D., . . . Burgess, S. (2011). Biofilm Formation. In Encyclopedia of Dairy Sciences: Second Edition. (pp. 445 - 450).
[Chapter]Authored by: Burgess, S., Flint, S., Palmer, J.

Conference

Burgess, S., & Flint, S. (2019, May). Biofilm formation and control in the dairy industry. Presented at The 6th International Symposium on Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Burgess, S., Flint, S.
Burgess, S., Collis, R., Biggs, P., Cookson, A., & McDougall, S. (2019, May). Antimicrobial resistant bacteria associated with dairy cattle - a New Zealand perspective. Presented at The 6th International Symposium on Dairy Cow Nutrition and Milk Quality
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Biggs, P., Burgess, S.
Burgess, S., Toombs-Ruane, L., Biggs, P., Midwinter, A., & Benschop, J. (2018). Urban waterways a vehicle for the spread of antimicrobial resistant E. coli ?. Poster session presented at the meeting of NZMS-NZSBMB Joint Annual Conference 2018
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Benschop, J., Biggs, P., Burgess, S., Midwinter, A.
Burgess, SA. (2017, November). Research on AMR: NZ perspective. Presented at NZCFPN project - Antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial usage in New Zealand and China, with particular reference to the dairy value chain. Beijing, China.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Burgess, S.
Burgess, SA., Aplin, J., Biggs, P., Benschop, J., & Midwinter, A. (2017, December). New Zealand dairy cattle – a reservoir for antimicrobial resistant Serratia spp. Presented at One Health Aotearoa 3rd Symposium. Wellington, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Benschop, J., Biggs, P., Burgess, S., Midwinter, A.
Burgess, SA., Flint, SH., Lindsay, D., & Biggs, PJ. (2016, October). Genomic insight into the adaptation of Geobacillus stearothermophilus to a milk powder. Presented at Omics Symposium V. Christchurch, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Biggs, P., Burgess, S., Flint, S.
Flint, SH., Biggs, P., & Burgess, SA. (2015, November). Genomic insights into the adaptation of Geobacillus stearothermophilus to a milk powder manufacturing plant. Presented at New Zealand Microbiological Society Conference. Rotorua, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Biggs, P., Burgess, S., Flint, S.
Flint, SH., & Burgess, SA. (2012, November). Identification of Geobacillus stearothermophilus strains that vary in their ability to form biofilms and produce spores. Presented at New Zealand Microbiological Society Conference. Dunedin, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Burgess, S., Flint, S.
Burgess, SA., Du Mez, E., Somerton, B., Walker, K., & Lindsay, D. (2011). Evaluating the biochemical profiles of dairy related Geobacillus and Anoxybacillus strains using commercially available kits. Poster session presented at the meeting of New Zealand Microbiological Society Conference
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Burgess, S.
Flint, SH., Burgess, S., & Lindsay, D. (2011). Differentiating Geobacillus isolates from dairy manufacture. Poster session presented at the meeting of NZ Microbiological Society Conference
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Burgess, S., Flint, S.

Other

Toombs-Ruane, L., Burgess, S., French, N., Biggs, PJ., Midwinter, A., Marshall, J., . . . Benschop, J. (2017, June). Faecal carriage of ESBL - and AmpC - producing Escherichia coli from co-habiting people and pets. In 7th symposium on antimicrobial resistance in animals and the environment. Presented at Braunschweig, germany.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Benschop, J., Biggs, P., Burgess, S., Douwes, J., French, N., Marshall, J., Midwinter, A., Roberts, M.

Teaching and Supervision

Summary of Doctoral Supervision

Position Current Completed
Main Supervisor 2 0
Co-supervisor 0 2

Current Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

  • Natalia Gonzalez Gonzalez - Doctor of Philosophy
    Antimicrobial resistant bacteria and their genes in dairy calves and their environment.
  • Holly Gray - Doctor of Philosophy
    Understanding the survival mechanisms of STEC in New Zealand from an evolutionary context.

Completed Doctoral Supervision

Co-supervisor of:

  • 2022 - Rose Collis - Doctor of Philosophy
    Metagenomic analysis and culture-based methods to examine the prevalence and distribution of antimicrobial resistance on two New Zealand dairy farms
  • 2019 - Leah Toombs-Ruane - Doctor of Philosophy
    Is the family pet a risk for multidrug resistant infections?