Graeme Bruce Martin

BSc (Agric) (Hons) (University of Western Australia), PhD (University of Western Australia)

Graeme Martin graduated in Agricultural Science (Honours I) in 1975 and gained his doctorate in sheep reproductive endocrinology in 1981, from the University of Western Australia (UWA). He then worked for 2 years at the INRA Station de Physiologie de la Reproduction at Nouzilly (France) and for 3 years at the Medical Research Council’s Reproductive Biology Unit in Edinburgh (UK).

In 1986, Graeme returned to Australia to take up a joint position at the UWA and CSIRO. In 1994, he transferred fully to the University and in 2001 he was promoted to Professor (Chair). He has served as the Head of Animal Science, Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Dean of the UWA Graduate Research School, Chair of the Academic Board (the peak academic committee of the University), Head of the School of Animal Biology, and Deputy Director of the UWA Institute of Agriculture. He has been a dedicated teacher, researcher and mentor for his entire career at UWA with a genuine commitment to industry. In recognition of that commitment, Graeme was awarded the Moir Medal of the Australian Society for Animal Production (1991), listed in the first edition of The Australian Sheep and Lamb Industry Roll of Honour (2010) and has been invited as a keynote speaker at Lambex conferences in 2010 and 2018. He currently leads a major multidisciplinary project, UWA Future Farm 2050 (www.ioa.uwa.edu.au/research/future-farm).

Graeme’s research has covered both basic and applied science, mostly on reproductive physiology in sheep, with a strong focus on how environmental factors influence reproduction, particularly the brain mechanisms that are involved. Graeme’s long-term goal has been to use this research to develop clean, green and ethical systems of animal production. From 1990 until 2014, he also led a project on ratites (emu, ostrich), with a strong emphasis on reproductive biology and reproductive technology, that was designed to support the development of new industries. He has also had smaller projects on rats, dogs and marsupials (most targeting new approaches to contraception), and on the management of reproduction in endangered African mammals (African Painted Dog, Pygmy Hippopotamus, White Rhinoceros).

Graeme has published more than 360 peer-reviewed articles in international journals, books and proceedings, has an h-index of 48 and has earned national and international scientific recognition, as indicated by invitations to present 30 plus symposium papers at major conferences in many countries. In 2019 he was elected to the Academie d’Agriculture de France and he has just been awarded the 2021 Marshall Medal from the Society for Reproduction and Fertility, the UK society’s highest honour for ‘outstanding contributors to the study of fertility and reproduction’. He has supervised more than 40 PhD students to completion and examined 20 PhD theses and 5 MSc theses. Graeme is passionate about science communication, from peer to peer, and also to industry and the broader community. His work has appeared at least 280 times in mass media.

A feature of Graeme’s career in animal production R&D is collaboration with many institutions, locally, nationally and internationally. International collaborators include: the Institut Nationale de la Recherche Agronomique (France), the Roslin Institute (United Kingdom), the Royal Veterinary College (London), Universidad Nacional Autónomo de México, the Universidad de la Republica Oriental del Uruguay, The University of Yamaguchi (Japan), The University of Oxford, The University of Bristol, and Rothamsted Research.

Graeme has served the scientific community in many ways. Since 1989, he has been an elected member of the Research Committee of the Keogh Institute for Medical Research (Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre). He has been active in several scientific societies throughout his career,including ASAP/AAAS, where he is a current member of the conference organising committee for the 33rd Biennial Meeting in 2021. He has been particularly active in the Society for Reproductive Biology (Australia) where he has served as a member of the Executive Committee (including 2 years as treasurer) and convened the Junior Scientist Committee for several years. He was a member of the Editorial Board of Reproduction, Fertility & Development for many years, served as the Chair during 2000–2006, and is currently the Editor-in-Chief. He has also served on the editorial boards of Reproduction (UK), Animal Reproduction Science, Domestic Animal Endocrinology and Reproduction in Domestic Animals.

In recognition of his significant contribution to the animal industries of Australia through research, education and leadership, the Australian Association of Animal Sciences is pleased to enrol Professor Graeme Martin as a Fellow.