A/Prof John Cavalieri ~ Head, Veterinary Sciences

I grew up in western Victoria and it was there that I developed an interest in agriculture and veterinary science. I graduated in veterinary science from the University of Melbourne in 1986 and then worked in rural, predominantly beef and dairy cattle practices as a veterinarian before completing a PhD in synchronising oestrus in Bos indicus cattle at James Cook University in 1998. I then completed a residency program in animal reproduction (theriogenology) at North Carolina State University between 1996 and 1998, and while there successfully completed American Board Certification in Theriogenology. On returning to Australia I worked as a research fellow at the University of Melbourne between 1999 and 2001 where the research focused on developing controlled breeding programs for large dairy herds. On completion of the fellowship I was registered as a veterinary specialist in veterinary reproduction and worked in private practice as a company director for a bovine reproduction consultancy service before commencing as a senior lecturer in veterinary reproduction at James Cook University (JCU) in December 2005. Since then I have contributed to the development of the veterinary science degree program at JCU, obtained a Masters of Education and my teaching has focused mainly on the area of veterinary reproduction. In 2024 I became the Academic Head of Veterinary Sciences at JCU and am privileged to lead a group of passionate educators and researchers and a great bunch of fun and wonderful students who aspire to be great veterinarians.