BIO
I grew up on a sheep and cropping farm in Central Southland, where my interest in agriculture and animal physiology began. I hold a Bachelor of Agricultural Science with First Class Honours. My Honours dissertation investigated salivary urea nitrogen as a non-invasive biomarker for nitrogen leaching risk in red deer. As an undergraduate, I also completed a research internship at AgResearch under the supervision of Dr. Pablo Gregorini and Dr. Anita Fleming. This project explored how plant secondary compounds influence animal health and productivity, and how livestock and their by-products ultimately impact human health and the environment. My doctoral research at Lincoln University investigates how seasonal rhythms and the physiological state of pregnancy influence ingestive and digestive dynamics in red deer. Using tools such as CT imaging, endocrine assays, and microbiome profiling, I aim to develop feeding strategies that enhance both productivity and environmental sustainability. Alongside my PhD, I led a dairy trial examining the adaptation of rumen fermentation and microbiome populations in grazing, lactating cows administered a tannin supplement. Following promising results, the trial is now progressing to a second phase in a commercial herd, assessing longer-term impacts on production, behaviour, and animal health. I aspire to continue contributing to livestock physiology and environmental research. My goal is to become a lecturer—and eventually a professor—dedicated to advancing sustainable agriculture, mentoring future scientists, and bridging the gap between productivity and environmental stewardship.
