Lifetime's Work Enhances Animal Production

POULTRY CRC RESEARCH MANAGER
QAAFI, UQ Principial Research Fellow

QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Science (Microbiology) 1974
PhD (Microbiology) 1988

SALARY RANGE
Average $100,000pa

Dr Patrick Blackall, a nationally and internationally renowned specialist in poultry, pig and cattle bacterial diseases, was awarded a Public Service Medal in the 2011 Australia Day Honours.

The prestigious award recognises his 37-year public service career, during which he has produced significant research outcomes that benefit Australia’s and the world’s beef, dairy, pig and poultry industries.

His research has led to improved diagnosis and management of bacterial pathogens in intensive animal production systems across the country.

The Australia Day Honours citation noted his outstanding leadership in his research field, which contributed to advancing the role of research and development to enhance Queensland’s scientific capabilities.

Patrick currently works as a research manager with the Poultry Cooperative Research Centre and maintains an active research program. He studied a Bachelor of Science majoring in Microbiology and completed a PhD in Microbiology at UQ.

He says his UQ training was invaluable to his career progression.

“There was such strong intellectual life on campus and wonderfully enthusiastic academic staff in the microbiology department who inspired me to switch from my intended course to the science of microbiology,” Patrick says.

Patrick began his science career in a diagnostic role and has been a research scientist for the past 25 years.

“The ability to improve society by applying effective, practical science to real-life problems is a real attraction. Being a scientist is to be part of a global community,” he says.