Principals

• Professor Herman Raadsma
• Professor Gareth Evans
• Professor Chis Maxwell
• Professor Christopher Moran
• Dr Paul Sheehy
• Dr Imke Tammen
• Associate Professor Rosanne Taylor
• Associate Professor Peter Thomson
• Associate Professor Peter Williamson

Herman Joined the University of Sydney, Faculty of Veterinary Science as a Research Fellow in 1988. Previous employment included 7 years as a Research Officer with NSW Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Station Trangie, with responsibilities for sheep breeding research in disease resistance. Postgraduate qualifications obtained from University of New England, Department of Animal Science in applied male reproduction efficiency, and sex-preselection. PhD obtained from the University of Sydney, Department of Animal Health.

Primary research responsibilities at the University of Sydney have covered research on genetic aspects of disease resistance in sheep, with a focus on footrot and vaccine responsiveness. More recent research interests cover molecular characterisation of livestock genomes for production and disease resistance genes, with a focus on sheep. Research track record includes acquisition of competitive grant (external) funding (in excess of $6 mil) for core research programs and capital facilities; national and international collaboration with livestock genetics groups; strong record of publication.

Leadership responsibilities include group leader of the genetics group at Camden, Associate Dean for Research, Faculty of Veterinary Science (1999), Director Reprogen (1999)
Research Interests
Strong commitment to animal health and production research, with a special interest in the development and application of genetic principles for control of disease and immune function, and application of DNA technologies in animal breeding programs for superior production. These programs have a focus to enhance sustainable and easy care features of livestock in extensive grazing systems. Contributor to animal health / animal production science in the following areas:

1. Genetic control of disease resistance.
2. Research in vaccine development and performance.
3. Genetic (DNA) markers for quantitative trait loci (QTL).

Professor Herman Raadsma

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Gareth is a first class honours graduate from University of Oxford with 24 years research experience, predominantly in Australia but with 7 years spent at overseas universities and research institutions, including 1 year at the University of Illinois, 4 years at the University of Western Ontario, 6 months at the MRC Reproductive Biology Unit in Edinburgh and two 6-month periods at the I.N.R.A. Station Physiologie Reproduction, Tours, France. Published over 80 refereed articles, including reviews, in international journals and a further 110 papers at national and international conferences.

Also written 1 book and 1 chapter in a book specifically as teaching texts. Supervised 20 postgraduate students. Awarded the University of Sydney's Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1991. Currently Scientific Associate of the Zoological Parks Board of NSW. Former member of the Executive Committee, and Secretary, of the Australian Society for Reproductive Biology (ASRB), and was a founding member of the Australasian Pig Science Association and the Australian Association of Animal Artificial Breeders. Organised ASRB's 19th Annual Conference in Sydney in 1987 and organised the 13th International Congress of Animal Reproduction (ICAR) in Sydney in 1996. Elected to the Standing Committee and the Executive Committee of ICAR, and became Secretary General in 1996.

Research Interests
1. Applied reproduction in domestic and wild animals.
2. Semen and embryo preservation, artificial insemination and embryo transfer.
3. In vitro fertilisation and embryo culture.
4. Sperm sexing.
5. Seasonality of reproduction.

Professor Gareth Evans

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Chis has had a distinguished career in research, teaching and management with specialised knowledge in the artificial breeding of domestic animals. Formerly Chief, Sheep and Wool Branch, South Australian Department of Agriculture (1986-91) and Senior Research Officer, Animal Breeding Research Institute, Katanning, Western Australia (1981-86).

He is a member of the International Standing Committee of the International Congress on Animal Reproduction and Chairman of the Editorial Board for the journal Reproduction, Fertility and Development. Over 110 articles have been published in international research journals, 18 reviews & chapters, 94 conference abstracts, and three books, one on artificial insemination in sheep and goats which has been published in three languages and has international sales of over 10,000.

His research has been supported by substantial funding, largely industry-based, amounting to more than $2.1 million, and averaging more than $100,000 per annum since 1980. Research interests include artificial insemination, embryo transfer and manipulation in sheep, goats and pigs.

Current research involves sex preselection by separation of X and Y chromosome-bearing spermatozoa; preservation of mammalian semen (liquid and frozen storage of ram and pig semen).

Research Interests
1. Applied reproduction in farm animals, specialising in semen.
2. Preservation and controlled breeding.

Professor Chis Maxwell

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After a year as a Melbourne University Research Fellow in the Department of Genetics in 1979, appointed as Lecturer (1980-84) progressing through Senior Lecturer (1985-91) to Associate Professor in Animal Genetics (1992 till present) in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Sydney.

A special Studies program in CSIRO Entomology (1985-86) provided an entry to molecular genetics research and the initiation of the first domestic animal genomics research in Australia. A subsequent Special Studies program at the National Institute for Medical Research in London (1990) set the groundwork for research on endogenous retroviruses, first in the context of murine skin cancer and hair growth and later in relation to porcine xenotransplantation.

Porcine gene and QTL mapping, strongly supported by the Pig Research and Development Corporation, has been a mainstay of funding and research activity since the late 1980s. Initiated teaching of first unit of study in Animal Biotechnology in 1993. Supervised 19 PhD students and 2 Masters students since 1981.

Invited lecturer and/or workshop participant in numerous countries including Australia, UK, Denmark, France, Italy, Belgium, Japan, Norway, Sweden and the USA Leadership activities include Treasurer of Genetics Society of Australia from 1990-95 overseeing its incorporation; Board Member of the Australian Genomics Information Centre since its inception; elected member of Standing Committee on Pig Gene Mapping of International Society of Animal Genetics since 1996; member of numerous committees within the Faculties of Veterinary Science and Agriculture.

Research Interests Theoretical and experimental population and quantitative genetics; molecular genetics of domestic animals; genetic mapping (physical and linkage) in the pig, including comparative genomics; quantitative trait locus mapping in the pig and mouse; genetics of hair growth and skin cancer in the mouse; domestic animal diversity; porcine endogenous retroviruses and xenotransplantation.

Professor Christopher Moran

Lecturer in Cell Biology in the Faculty of Veterinary Science, having commenced there in 2000. While maintaining strong interest in investigating the regulation of gene expression, particularly in relation to lactation, he has also investigated several aspects of production animal immunology and applications of gene therapy in farm animals. As well as research, he is currently involved in training undergraduate Veterinary Science and Agriculture students in basic cellular biology and animal nutrition.

RESEARCH INTERESTS
1. Gene discovery, functional genomics.
2. Gene therapy, molecular diagnostics.
3. Basic cellular biology.

Dr Paul Sheehy

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Sesqui Lecturer - Biotechnology

Dr Tammen has a strong commitment to research on the genetics of animal health with a special interest in inherited diseases in livestock animals. Imke�s main interest is the identification of disease genes and the development of DNA tests to eradicate these defects. Inherited defects initially have a low incidence and therefore cause only minor economic losses. Nevertheless, they provide valuable animal models for human disorders, and they can cause economic problems if individual sires carrying a disease mutation are used excessively in AI programs or the disease genes are linked to beneficial alleles of quantitative trait loci.

Imke has been involved in research on the following defects in the last 7 years:

1. Bovine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency(BLAD) in Holstein Friesian cattle.
2. Deficiency of the uridine monophosphate synthase (DUMPS) in Holstein Friesian cattle.
3. Campus Syndrome (CPS) in pigs.
4. Inherited zinc deficiency (A46) in Angus and Holstein Friesian cattle.
5. Chondrodysplasia in Dexter cattle.
6. Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinosis (NCL) in Merino sheep

Dr Imke Tammen

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Rosanne Taylor is a Veterinary Science graduate of the University of Sydney (1982) who worked in veterinary practice (Diploma of Veterinary Clinical Studies) before completing a PhD on treatment of neurological disease. She was a Veterinary Officer and Branch Manager of NSW Animal Welfare Branch (NSW Government), implementing animal research legislation, then a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania.

Rosanne is leading an education innovations project in the Faculty funded by Thyne Reid trust to develop activities that support learning through inquiry in veterinary and animal science.

Her work provided early evidence of the value of stem cell and gene therapy for treating severe brain disease. Rosanne returned to Sydney University as a part time associate lecturer in 1994 and is now an associate professor, teaching in neuroscience, physiology, animal biotechnology and animal science. Her research group is investigating treatment of demyelinating disease with a variety of stem cell and gene therapy approaches and enzyme replacement therapy.

In 2001 she completed the Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, was Chair of the Faculty Teaching and Learning Committee, Subdean for Student Learning and is now Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning.

Her awards include; Australian College of Veterinary Sciences Ian Clunies Ross Award in 1999, the Faculty's Pfizer Teaching Award and Grace Mary Mitchell Award in 2001, the Vice Chancellor's Award for Outstanding Teaching in 2002 and she was a national finalist in biological sciences category for the Australian University Teaching Awards in 2002 and 2003.

My current major activities are: Research group of 3 working on: Neural stem cell, marrow stromal stem cell transplantation Animal models of inherited and demyelinating disease (including Krabbe disease, fucosidosis and inherited sensory neuropathy in dogs)

Gene therapy using retroviral vectors Enzyme replacement therapy for fucosidosis

Research into student learning and veterinary education Course coordination of units of study Service to the Faculty- Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning Service to the University- University Teaching and LEarning Committee, Working Group on Graduate Attributes, Academic Board Quality Assurance Review teams, Evaluation and Quality Assurance Working Group Service outside University- Veterinary advisor for Rabbit Fancier's Club, NSW, Co-convenor of first Australasian conference on Veterinary Graduate Attributes, provide educational visits on science/veterinary science to schools

Projects Improving Learning Outcomes in the Faculties of Veterinary Science and Agriculture: Aligning student perceptions and learning Inquiry based learning in veterinary science Myelin repair by marrow stromal cells Myelin repair by neural stem cells genetically modified to secrete growth factor.

Associate Professor Rosanne Taylor

Rumenations

Ribet

Educational research

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Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Biometry

Dr Thomson has a broad interest in the application of statistical methods to a wide range of biological areas, including epidemiological, ecological and agricultural research. However, his main area of research currently is in statistical genetics, particularly in the area of developing appropriate statistical methodologies for mapping genes (Quantitative Trait Locus, or QTL mapping). More recently, he has also commenced work on developing appropriate experimental designs and statistical analysis tools for use in genetic microarray studies for gene function.

In addition, Dr Thomson has had extensive experience in teaching of statistics and experimental design, from junior undergraduate level to postgraduate level.

Research Interests
1. Statistical methods for QTL detection of non-normally distributed traits
2. Meta-analysis methods for synthesis of published QTL studies
3. Design of marker assisted introgression methods
4. Statistical methods in animal breeding
5. Longitudinal data analysis: application to lactation curve and growth curve modeling

Associate Professor Peter Thomson

Peter Williamson joined ReproGen in 2003 as a Principal Research Fellow � Functional Genomics in the CRC for Innovative Dairy Products. Peter has over 20 years experience in biomedical research in the areas of immunology, immunogenetics and lymphocyte cell biology. He began his career in the field of diabetes and transplantation immunology before moving into the emerging field of molecular immunogenetics.

He completed a PhD at the University of Sydney working on canine MHC genes then went abroad as a post-doctoral fellow in the Division of Immunobiology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Upon returning to Australia he established a molecular immunobiology laboratory at the Westmead Millennium Institute where he continued studies of cytokine receptor biology, signal transduction and gene expression, and control of lymphocyte response.

The work was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, NSW Cancer Council, Multiple Sclerosis Society of Australia, and others. He also engaged in collaborative studies on association of genes and disease with an emphasis on HIV-1 pathogenesis. More recently he has developed projects that apply post-genomic technologies to understanding cellular response. These interests have continued in the context of the dairy CRC gene discovery and gene function program.

Projects
1. In silico identification of bovine genes for lactation and immune response
2. Functional genomic and molecular investigations of lactation gene function
3. Marsupial immunity and anti-microbial defence strategies
4. Genetic and cell proteomic studies of viral pathogenesis
5. Mechanisms of cytokine and growth factor action

Associate Professor Peter Williamson

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