Professor Susanne Hermesch

Biography

Professor Susanne Hermesch grew up on a dairy farm in Germany which sparked her interest in agriculture and animal breeding. After completing an apprenticeship in farming and a Diploma Agraringeneur at the University of Goettingen she moved to Armidale to complete a Doctor of Philosophy in pig breeding at AGBU at the University of New England. During her career at AGBU, Professor Hermesch developed sustainable selection strategies for pig breeding and she is an expert on genetic improvement of survival, resilience, health and welfare in breeding programs that also aim to improve productivity, carcase value and efficiency. Her research was conducted in close collaborations with the Australian pork industry resulting in significant industry impact driving profitability increases through genetic improvement.

Professor Hermesch is a widely published author of both industry and academic publications, an editor and a reviewer of manuscripts and research grants. Professor Hermesch has supervised multiple PhD candidates in pig, poultry, dairy, beef and chickpea and she was the inaugural High Degree Research (HDR) coordinator of AGBU establishing AGBU as a thriving HDR school. Other research interests included crocodile farming and economic evaluation of genetic improvement in animals and plants. Professor Hermesch is a passionate promoter of gender equity, a mentor and a champion for women in STEM and agriculture.

Professor Hermesch is currently an editor of the Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics and a member of the board of advisors of the European Master in Animal Breeding and Genetics an Erasmus Mundus Master Programme. Previously, Professor Hermesch was the President of the Permanent Committee of the World Congress of Genetics Applied to Livestock Production. Professor Hermesch is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.