Prof. John Rodger

Biography

• Leading international figure in marsupial gamete biology for over 30 years
• First to study fertilization in a marsupial
• First to collect and study marsupial semen
• First to develop assisted breeding technologies for marsupials
• First to succesfully freeze marsupial sperm
• First to develop reliable superovulation methods for marsupials
• Leader in the development of fertility control vaccines for marsupial population management
• Leader in the development of vaccines for use in marsupial disease management

For 8 years (1995-2003) I was full time Director/CEO of the CRC for Marsupial Conservation and Management. I remained involved in leadership in the above areas but my direct involvement in research was reduced.

From 2005 I have been half time Director of the Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment. Establishment and leadership oin this university-wide multi-disciplinary Institute has reduced my time for research.

Qualifications

• PhD, University of Sydney
• Master of Science, University of New South Wales
• Bachelor of Science, University of New South Wales

Research

Research keywords

• Marsupials
• Reproduction
• Wildlife BIotechnology
• Wildlife Management

Research expertise

The broad area of my research is mammalian reproduction and development. The major emphasis has been marsupials and their use as model species to examine basic phenomena in developmental biology and the application of this basic biology for marsupial management. Involvement with marsupial reproduction dates from the late 1960s and has led to 89 refereed publications in journals and books of international standing. My early work dealt mainly with the male marsupial, the comparative anatomy of the reproductive tract and the biochemistry and physiology of semen. During my post doctoral years in the USA the focus shifted to a current major interest marsupial fertilization and the critical maturation events which lead to gamete interaction. At ANU I began a second major research area early mammalian development and the immunology of reproduction.

At the University of Newcastle I initiated a research program which exploited this background and moved into a very new area of marsupial biology practical manipulation of breeding. This applied task was initiated because it is an essential first step in my long term goal of studying the developmental biology of marsupials at the cellular and molecular level. In addition the ability to manipulate fertility and productivity has application in the conservation and management of marsupials.

This growing expertise is being recognised for its contribution to basic science and in the practical assessment of fertility and the manipulation of marsupial breeding. This work led to my major collaborations and funding from New Zealand and formed the basis for a large component of the successful application for a Cooperative Research Centre for the Conservation and Management of Marsupials of which I was Director.

This role lead to a major interest in the management of science and its integration in interdisciplinary applied programs for environmental and conservation outcomes. I have published in the area, chaired the committee overseeing the redevelopment of the Bachelor of Environmental Science degree at the University of Newcastle in line with this experience and have advised government agencies and commercial organisations on these issues. From 2005 I was Project Director leading the establishment of an Environmental Institute at the University of Newcastle.

Fields of Research

Centres and Groups

Centre

Memberships

Body relevant to professional practice.

• Chair - ACT Kangaroo Advisory Committee
• Member - Newcastle Environmental Advisory Panel
• Chair - North Head Sanctuary Scientific Committee

Committee/Associations (relevant to research).

• Chair & Member - Australian Society for Reproductive Biology
• Chair - International Conference on Biotechnology for Wildlife
• Member Organisiing Committee - Zool. Soc. London Symposium - Reproduction and the conservation and management of wild species

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Administrative

Administrative expertise

Chair ACT Kangaroo Advisory Committee (1995-97)

Chairman, Australian Society for Reproductive Biology (1989-91)

Chair, Scientific Committee, North Head Sanctuary, Sydney Harbour Federation Trust (2004-2006)

Director/CEO CRC for Conservation & Management of Marsupials (1995-2003)

Director Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment (2005-)

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Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Animal Form & Function
• Application of Science
• Ecology
• Environmental Biology

Teaching expertise

UNDERGRADUATE 1986-1995

I was responsible for the development, presentation and examination of two courses offered by the then Department of Biological Sciences.Biology 100: Animal Diversity - Form & Function (average approx 400 students)

As well as developing a new lecture course I significantly reorganised the practical course. This has involved new exercises and substantial revision and reorganisation of the laboratory manual. My aim in the course was to prepare those students proceeding to higher level study in biology and to provide an appreciation of the broad principles of animal function for those not planning a career as biologists. With the increasing numbers of students enrolled in science courses and their lower standard of entry this course has required major reappraisal.

Biology 300: Animal Development (average approx 40 students)

This course, originally 'Mammalian Development', was new to Newcastle when I introduced it in 1986. It seeks to bring senior students to an understanding of the fundamental and applied aspects of this rapidly developing field. Practical work is project based and aims to give students hands on experience in some of the main techniques used and exposure to the practical problems faced by the experimental embryologist.

POST-GRADUATE COURSE IN INDONESIA (1989-1991)

For three years I was a lecturer in biology for the second semester program of a year long upgrading program for young Indonesian science academics (a total of 40/year across Physics, Maths, Chemistry & Biology) organised by the International Development Program of the Australian Universities and Colleges (IDP). The 'Basic Sciences Bridging Program' operated at the premier science university in Indonesia the Institut Teknologi Bandung in Western Java. From this program around 20 students were selected to come to Australia for post-graduate training. This demanding exercise required the development of a lecture and laboratory program suitable for the English and science level of the students and the facilities available in Bandung.

Newcastle 2003 -2006

Since returning to a normal academic role in the School of Environmental & Life Sciences I have had an active teaching and leadership role in the area of Environmental Biology/Science.

BIOL3190: Wetlands Ecology

In 2003 I coordinated, lectured in and examined this course.

BIOL2070: Ecology

Commencing in Semester 2 2003 I presented and examined about 1/3 of the lecture content of this course in the area of animal population biology. This is a large class of approximately 90-100 students. As well as being a major offering in Environmental Biology the course forms part of the compulsory core of the B Env Sci program.

ENVS3020: Allied Environmental Science

This course, offered for the first time in Semester 2, 2004, was developed by me to fill a need for more environmental management focused courses in Biology at the 3000 level. It has now developed into a core unit of the Env Sci & Mgt Program whish seeks to bridge the University to workplace transition.

Bachelor of Environmental Science & Management Program

In October 2003 I took over responsibility for leading the Action Group appointed by the HoS SELs to develop the first school-based structure for this program. This has been completed and the revised program and related new courses began to role out in Semester 1 2005.

Courses

• BIOL1002 - Organisms to Ecosystems
• BIOL3350 - Ecological Research
• ENVS3020 - Applied Environmental Science