Members of the Animal
Welfare Science Centre

Members of the Animal Welfare Science Centre

Scientists

Professor Paul Hemsworth (The University of Melbourne, Parkville and DPI Werribee) – Director of the Centre: A research career studying the behaviour and welfare of farm and companion animals, particularly examining the influence of the social and physical environment on farm animal behaviour and welfare and the influence of human-animal interactions on animal welfare and productivity.

Professor Grahame Coleman (Head of the School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, Monash University, Caulfield and Clayton) – Deputy Director of the Centre: Grahame has followed a research career in aspects of human and animal behaviour associated with biological rhythmicity and sleep and changes in stress-related and reproductive hormones. Current research interests focus primarily on human-animal interactions in farm and companion animals and public attitudes to animal welfare.

Associate Professor Alan Tilbrook (Physiology, Monash University, Clayton) – A research career in endocrinology and behaviour of domestic animals. Particular interests include the endocrine and neuroendocrine control of reproduction in males, the effects of stress on reproduction and endocrine and behavioural responses to stress.

Dr. Pauleen Bennett (Psychology, Monash University, Caulfield) – Research career studying behavioural neuroscience related to animal learning and memory formation. Recent research interest in human-animal interactions, particularly with respect to companion animal species.

Dr. Ellen Jongman (DPI, Werribee) - Research interests include the effect of housing, husbandry procedures and management on the welfare of sheep and dairy cows

Dr. Samia Toukhsati (Psychology, Monash University, Caulfield) – Research interests include animal cognition and welfare, and her recent research has included understanding human-animal interactions, particularly with regard to companion animal owner attitudes and behaviours.

Dr. Mariko Lauber (DPI, Attwood) – Research interests include behavioural development in dairy calves and its implication in assessing animal welfare implications of new practices and technologies. Current activities focusing on industry, public and tertiary training in animal welfare.

Dr. Brian Leury (The University of Melbourne, Parkville) – Research interests include animal nutrition and physiology.

Dr Linda Marston (Psychology, Monash University, Caulfield) - Research interests include human-animal interactions, particularly with respect to companion animal species.

Dr. Sarah Chaplin (The University of Melbourne, Dookie) - Research interests in the effects of management practices on dairy cow behaviour and welfare.

Dr. Sue Hides (DPI, Maffra) – District Veterinary Officer with long standing interests in the welfare of dairy cattle. Specific areas of interest include management and transport of young calves and the use of analgesics and anaesthetics to provide pain relief for cattle undergoing husbandry procedures.

Administration

Mr. Jeremy Skuse (BAgSc hons) – Executive Officer of the Centre, significant professional livestock experience derived from operating in senior management, quality assurance and extension roles in Australia, Asia and the United States.

Students of the Centre

Post-graduate Students

Current Submitted Completed

Honours Students

Current Awarded
  • Rachel Bindloss
  • Sally Haynes
  • Cassie Pearton
  • Naomi Botheras
  • Tammie King
  • Lauren Hemsworth
  • Mariko Ng
  • Tamzin Barber
  • Natasha Cooper
  • Peter Greene
  • Amanda Howes
  • Renee Kharsas
  • Jacqui Gately
  • Yishene Chew

Technical Staff

Melanie Conley (Melbourne) Carter Lui (Monash)
Melanie Monk (Melbourne) Alanna Sawyer (Monash)
Judy Nash (Melbourne) Samantha Borg (DPI)
Maxine Rice (Melbourne) Tracie McCallum (DPI)
Melanie Webber (Melbourne) Lisa Newman (DPI)
Danielle Bullen (Monash) Bruce Schirmer (DPI)

International Associates

Dr Jim Kinder, The Ohio State University Dr Linda Lobao, The Ohio State University
Dr Naomi Botheras, The Ohio State University Dr Steve Moeller, The Ohio State University
Dr Maurice Eastridge, The Ohio State University Professor David Mellor, Massey University, NZ
Dr Mike Lilburn, The Ohio State University Dr Adele Arnold, AgResearch NZ

Board of Management

Professor Mike Rickard, Chair
Dr. Ron Prestidge, Department of Primary Industries, Victoria
Professor Rick Roush, The University of Melbourne
Professor Iain Clarke, Monash University
Professor Paul Hemsworth, The University of Melbourne

Advisory Committee

Dr. Peter Penson, Chair, Animal welfare consultant
Dr. Onn Ben-David, Vice- President, RSPCA, Vic
Mr. Alan Bowman, Victorian Farmers Federation
Ms. Michelle Edge, Symbio Alliance
Dr. Robert Holmes, Animal Behaviour Clinics
Mr. David Marland, DPI
Mr. Noel Maughan, MLA (Ret)
Professor David Mellor, Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre, Massey University
Dr. Denise Noonan, Univ. Adelaide
Ms. Glenys Oogjes, Director, Animals Australia
Professor Clive Phillips, Centre for Animal Welfare and Ethics, University of Queensland
Mr. Nick Renyard, United Dairyfarmers of Victoria
Mr. Kenton Shaw, QAF Meat Industries
Dr. Stephen Tate, Bureau of Animal Welfare

The Animal Welfare Science Centre was established by the University of Melbourne, Monash University and the Department of Primary Industries, Victoria. The Centre focuses and coordinates the research and academic resources of the three collaborating organisations, providing the animal industries, animal users, the farming community, Government, the general community and the academic community with an internationally competitive research, teaching and training resource in animal welfare.