Roy Kirkwood

Education:
Obtained a BSc in Zoology with Applied Zoology (parasitology) from the University of Wales, UK, in 1976.

Obtained a PhD from the University of Leeds, UK, in 1981. The subject of the research was the effect of boars and boar stimuli on puberty onset in gilts.

Obtained a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1995.

Received Diplomate status, European College of Animal Reproduction, in 2000

Career to date:

2011 – current. Associate Professor (swine production medicine), School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide. Responsibilities include teaching into the Animal Science, Veterinary Technology, Veterinary Bioscience, and DVM programs at the University of Adelaide, and provision of on-line swine and Theriogenology teaching to other institutions on request. Current research interests include non-injection control of estrus, ovulation and parturition, and neonatal piglet survival. I am on the editorial board of Animals.

2001 - 2011. Associate Professor (swine production medicine), Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Michigan State University. This appointment involves extension, teaching in the pre-clinical and clinical phases of the veterinary curriculum, and research. Clinical teaching involves a joint rotation with Iowa State and Guelph Universities. An on-line graduate course in swine reproduction has also been developed, and is currently being translated into Spanish and Thai languages. Research activities during this time involved control of parturition and improving sow fertility to artificial insemination, with a particular interest in sub-fertile sperm such as frozen-thawed or aged sperm. Hormonal approached to controlled oestrus and timed ovulation has also been investigated, including a possible role in seasonal infertility.

1999 - 2001. Senior lecturer, Department of Farm Animal and Equine Medicine and Surgery, Royal Veterinary College, University of London. In addition to teaching in the veterinary curriculum, research during this period focussed on breeding and farrowing with studies being undertaken in Australia, Italy, The Netherlands, and Spain.

1995 - 1999. Research Veterinarian, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. During this time I initiated research programs dealing with reproduction and with management/ nutrition/disease interactions. I was an Associate Editor, Canadian Journal of Animal Science and served on the editorial board of Journal of Swine Health and Production.

I was a federally accredited veterinarian and I performed herd health duties in association with a local swine health practice. In my role as a research veterinarian, I provided swine management and reproduction advice to swine practitioners and primary producers from several provinces/states.

1987 - 1995. Research Scientist, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan. Research during this period was varied (see publication list). I also assisted in the supervision of several graduate students and designed and taught an introductory animal physiology course.

1984 - 1987. Post doctoral fellow, Department of Animal Science, University of Alberta. The research focus during this period was nutrition/reproduction interactions. Additionally, I assisted in the supervision of several graduate students

1982 - 1984. Post doctoral fellow, Massey University, New Zealand. The primary research area was the endocrinology of early weaning. Additional areas examined included effects of partial-weaning on sow performance and effects of Regumate on fertility of primiparous sows.

1981 - 1982. Post doctoral fellow, University of Leeds, further research of boar pheromones.

I am involved with a consortium of academics and veterinarians in the production of CD ROMs dealing with management and problem solving in the breeding herd.

Publication summary:
Peer reviewed 130+
Reviews 16
Extension/Technical 80+

Updated CV 10-Mar-2023