Camryn Allen has barely finished her PhD but is already planning her trip back to UQ to continue her koala research.
Mrs Allen has spent the last three-and-a-half years with Dr Steve Johnston’s koala research group which has created a groundbreaking artificial insemination (AI) technique for koalas.
The group has also started the world’s first koala sperm bank.
Her PhD, through the School of Animal Studies, focused on the factors that influence male koala fertility which have been vital to the success of the AI program.
Mrs Allen and the research team produced the first marsupial pouch young using sperm that had been chilled for three days.
The group’s goal is to freeze koala sperm indefinitely for use in future AIs and to safeguard koala's future genetic diversity, globally.
Mrs Allen said she researched wild koalas in order to select the best male koalas for breeding based on a range of physical characteristics and time of the year.
“My study was about getting more information on the males’ fertility to better the koala artificial insemination technique,” Mrs Allen said.
Originally from San Diego, California, Mrs Allen first came to Australia as a study abroad student in 2002.
“I absolutely fell in love with UQ, Brisbane and koalas when I volunteered at the koala study program under Dr Frank Carrick,” she said.
“When I went home I decided that I had to go back and I wanted to work with koalas so I contacted Dr Johnston.”
Mrs Allen started at UQ in 2004 and after one year of study, gained a UQ Confirmation Scholarship that provided about $19,000 a year for living expenses.
She said UQ was her number one choice because it was more flexible than American universities.
“In America, I think the researchers like you to tie into the research they’re currently doing.
“Whereas here, Dr Johnston is into a lot of things. As long as you can provide him with a research idea that looks worthwhile, he’ll go for it.”
She said she was most proud that the AI program had produced baby koalas and is appreciative of the opportunity to gain invaluable links with government and industry contacts.
“I learned so much from the contacts I gained and without them, my project would not have been possible.
“If I could continue doing PhD research forever I would. I love it here. My life and my friends are here.”
Mrs Allen said she would like to return to UQ and do postdoctoral research with Dr Johnston or work for the Queensland Government doing koala research for management and conservation of the species.
She expects to finish her PhD in December and has returned to the United States after marrying in Las Vegas.
MEDIA: Mrs Allen (+1 623 332 4522, c.allen1@uq.edu.au, camrynallen@gmail.com) or Miguel Holland at UQ Communications (+61 7 3365 2619)
*Hi-res photos available from UQ photographic librarian Diana Lilley (d.lilley@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3365 2753)
