ANIMAL welfare science, sustainable fisheries research and molecular diagnostics in South Australia have been boosted with three new high level appointments for the South Australian Research and Development Institute.
Professor Alan Tilbrook joins SARDI from the Department of Physiology at Monash University as Research Chief, Livestock and Farming Systems, based at Roseworthy, leading sustainable fisheries scientist Dr Gavin Begg has been appointed Research Chief Aquatic Sciences, based at West Beach, and Dr Kathy Ophel Keller has been named Research Chief Sustainable Systems based at the Waite Campus, Urrbrae.
Agriculture Minister Gail Gago said, "These appointments reinforce South Australia's commitment to take primary industries research to new levels.
"Professor Tilbrook's strong background in animal reproductive technologies and welfare science, and Dr Begg's solid foundation in advancing sustainable fishing practices will be of immense value to SA industries and the community generally. Dr Ophel Keller has been promoted within SARDI, a move which recognises her exceptional skills in molecular diagnostics and plant pathology."
Professor Tilbrook takes over the reins of SARDI Livestock and Farming Systems from Professor Simon Maddocks who is now SARDI Director, Science Partnerships.
SARDI Executive Director, Professor Pauline Mooney says Professor Tilbrook's main research interests are endocrinology and neuroendocrinology of reproduction, stress and animal behaviour and welfare, across a range of species including, sheep, pigs, poultry, goats, cattle and humans.
"This is an important role within SARDI, and Alan brings a wealth of experience in developing effective and stable collaborations at the State, National and international level," she says.
Professor Tilbrook, who has also worked with the Animal Research Institute/Victorian Institute of Animal Science, Werribee, as a Senior Research Scientist and Head of the Reproductive Technology Section, is a founding member and Deputy Director of the Animal Welfare Science Centre.
He says SARDI and South Australia have an opportunity to lead animal welfare science in Australia.
"South Australia already has a central research role for intensive agriculture, most notably in pigs and poultry with the Pig and Poultry Production Institute and the CRC for an Internationally Competitive Australian Pork Industry, hosted by SARDI at the University of Adelaide's Roseworthy Campus," says Professor Tilbrook.
"These intensive industries absolutely recognise the imperative of animal welfare and the need to fund science to improve animal welfare as well as productivity. The two outcomes go hand in hand – healthy animals produce more for less. And SARDI has the scientific expertise and research facilities to become an innovator in this area."
Dr Begg has led the development of science strategy and fostered effective and stable research collaborations at the State, national and international level with over 20 years experience in fisheries and marine science.
In recent years he led the ABARES Fisheries & Quantitative Sciences Branch at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, where he was head of the Australian science delegation to the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna.
"In this role Dr Begg led initiatives for the development of a national fishery status report, socio-economic assessments of the impacts of marine bioregions, and estimating the recreational harvest of Southern Bluefin Tuna," says Professor Mooney.
"He has also contributed to the development of Commonwealth fisheries policy and strategic research directions through his engagement and leadership on numerous science and management advisory bodies."
Dr Begg said SARDI Aquatic Sciences has a national reputation for innovation and pushing the boundaries.
"This is a great opportunity for me to work with strong foundations and good science already in place," said Dr Begg.
"In my new role, I'm looking forward to building on those foundations and driving new opportunities and technologies that not only maintain sustainability but improve the profitability of our wild fisheries and aquaculture industries. I'll also be focussing on forging greater State, National and international networks with industry and agencies, an aspect which is gaining urgent momentum as we come to grips with the cross jurisdictional nature of our fisheries and sustainability issues."
Dr Begg was the Senior Manager for Research & Co-management at the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, and has held international research positions at the Marine Research Institute in Iceland and the National Marine Fisheries Centre at Woods Hole USA, where he worked on the population dynamics and stock structure of groundfish stocks in the north Atlantic.
Dr Ophel Keller was appointed Research Chief Sustainable Systems late last year.
She was part of the internationally respected SARDI team that developed DNA and molecular diagnostics for primary industries, and further advanced the technology to provide critical information for a range of areas from drought tolerance to weed control, environmental monitoring of sediment for aquaculture and the profiling of intestinal microbes in poultry to guard against disease.
In her new role, Dr Ophel Keller leads a team of over 100 researchers and technicians involving plant and soil health, entomology, climate applications, water resources, viticulture and irrigated crops.
Dr Andrew Pointon, with more than 30 years research experience spanning various food industries and supply chain sectors from production to consumption, has led SARDI's fourth division, Innovative Food and Plants, for the past four years. This group focuses on product development, value chain efficiency and food safety.
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