The University of Western Australia
Dr Penny Hawken
Associate Lecturer
Contact details
| Address | School of Animal Biology The University of Western Australia (M085) 35 Stirling Highway CRAWLEY WA 6009 Australia |
|---|---|
| Phone | 6488 3588 |
| Fax | 6488 2243 |
| phawken@animals.uwa.edu.au |
Biography
I was born in Wrexham in North Wales and like many young girls, quickly developed a strong affiliation for animals. I started horse riding at the age of 9 and through my teenage years was a regular volunteer at several animal rescue charities and local farms. The more time that I spent on farm, the more I appreciated the direct application of biology and chemistry to farm animals and realised that the efficiency of a plant or animal’s physiology could make or break a farm enterprise. The indisputable, global importance of agriculture as an industry drove me to study the subject, specialising in animal production, at Newcastle University in England. I graduated top of my year with first class honours and developed an application for a PhD scholarship with my supervisor in the field of sheep reproduction. During my PhD studies, I looked at how socio-sexual stimuli could be used to control reproduction in highly seasonal breeds of sheep that are conventionally seen as unresponsive to the male stimulus. I submitted my PhD thesis in March 2005 and have now published 4 papers from that work.
I moved to Australia in April 2005 to take up an Associate Lectureship in reproductive physiology at the University of Western Australia (UWA). I was fortunate enough to continue working in the field of socio-sexual stimuli in sheep with Graeme Martin, Dominique Blache and Jenny Rodger under funding from the Australian Research Council and we have now published 4 papers from our research with another two in preparation.
I enjoy every aspect of research from project conception to completion and strongly believe that the mental processes involved in hypothesis identification and development can be applied to any research topic. My philosophy towards research is that lateral thinking and an inquisitive mind are the building blocks of successful research, with concise and clear scientific writing as the key tools to communicate your ideas to the world. I am rapidly learning the art of writing research grants and was recently awarded a UWA Small Grant to investigate olfactory processing in sheep. During my time at UWA, I have gained extensive experience in teaching many aspects of animal science, including reproductive physiology, animal production and scientific communication. I very much enjoy teaching and view it as a vehicle through which to inspire the young minds of tomorrow.
I moved to Australia in April 2005 to take up an Associate Lectureship in reproductive physiology at the University of Western Australia (UWA). I was fortunate enough to continue working in the field of socio-sexual stimuli in sheep with Graeme Martin, Dominique Blache and Jenny Rodger under funding from the Australian Research Council and we have now published 4 papers from our research with another two in preparation.
I enjoy every aspect of research from project conception to completion and strongly believe that the mental processes involved in hypothesis identification and development can be applied to any research topic. My philosophy towards research is that lateral thinking and an inquisitive mind are the building blocks of successful research, with concise and clear scientific writing as the key tools to communicate your ideas to the world. I am rapidly learning the art of writing research grants and was recently awarded a UWA Small Grant to investigate olfactory processing in sheep. During my time at UWA, I have gained extensive experience in teaching many aspects of animal science, including reproductive physiology, animal production and scientific communication. I very much enjoy teaching and view it as a vehicle through which to inspire the young minds of tomorrow.
Key research
- - Socio-sexual stimuli and reproduction in sheep and goats
- - Reproductive physiology
Major research interests
- Reproductive physiology and neurobiology in farm animals
Qualifications
BSc PhD Newcastle(U.K.)
Publications
Refereed journal articles
Hawken PAR, Jorre de St Jorre T, Rodger J, Esmaili T, Blache D, Martin GB (2009) Rapid Induction of Cell Proliferation in the Adult Female Ungulate Brain Associated with Activation of the Reproductive Axis by Exposure to Unfamiliar Males. Biology of Reproduction; doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.108.075341 [Impact Factor: 3.67]
Hawken PAR, Esmaili T, Scanlan V, Blache D, Martin GB (2009). Can audio-visual or visual stimuli from a prospective mate stimulate a reproductive neuroendocrine response in sheep? Animal; doi:10.1017/S1751731109003954 [New journal – no Impact Factor yet]
Hawken, PAR, Beard, AP (2008). Ram novelty and the duration of ram exposure effects the distribution of mating in ewes exposed to rams during the transition into the breeding season. Animal Reproduction Science: doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.03.009 [Impact Factor: 1.74]
Hawken PAR, Esmaili T, Jorre de St Jorre, Martin GB (2008). Do cyclic female goats respond to males with an increase in LH secretion during the breeding season? Animal Reproduction Science: doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.04.022 [Impact Factor: 1.74]
Hawken PAR, Evans ACO, Beard AP (2008). Short term, repeated exposure to rams during the transition into the breeding season improves the synchrony of mating in the breeding season. Animal Reproduction Science; 106 (3-4): 333-344 [Impact Factor: 1.74]
Hawken PAR, Evans ACO, Beard AP (2008) Prior exposure with rams enhances their behavioural interactions with rams but is not a pre-requisite to their endocrine response to the ram effect. Animal Reproduction Science: 108 (1-2): 13-21 [Impact Factor: 1.74]
Hawken PAR, Beard AP, Esmaili T, Kadokawa H, Blache D, Martin GB (2007). The introduction of rams induces an increase in pulsatile LH secretion in cyclic ewes during the breeding season. Theriogenology; 68: 56-66 [Impact Factor: 1.91]
Hawken PAR, Beard AP, O’Meara CM, Duffy P, Quinn KM, Crosby TF, Boland MP and Evans ACO (2005). The effects of ram exposure during progestagen oestrus synchronisation and time of ram introduction post progestagen withdrawal on fertility in ewes Theriogenology: 63 (3); 860-871 [Impact Factor: 1.91]
Delgadillo JA, Gelez H, Ungerfeld R, Hawken PAR, Martin GB (2009) Revisiting the dogmas surrounding the mechanisms involved in the male effect in sheep and goats. Behavioural Brain Research; accepted with minor corrections [Impact Factor: 2.63]
Evans ACO, Duffy P, Crosby TF, Hawken PAR, Boland MP, Beard AP (2004). Effect of ram exposure at the end of progestagen treatment on estrus synchronisation and fertility during the breeding season in ewes. Animal Reproduction Science: 84(3-4); 349-358 [Impact Factor: 1.74]
Hawken PAR, Jorre de St Jorre T, Rodger J, Esmaili T, Blache D, Martin GB (2009) Rapid Induction of Cell Proliferation in the Adult Female Ungulate Brain Associated with Activation of the Reproductive Axis by Exposure to Unfamiliar Males. Biology of Reproduction; doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.108.075341 [Impact Factor: 3.67]
Hawken PAR, Esmaili T, Scanlan V, Blache D, Martin GB (2009). Can audio-visual or visual stimuli from a prospective mate stimulate a reproductive neuroendocrine response in sheep? Animal; doi:10.1017/S1751731109003954 [New journal – no Impact Factor yet]
Hawken, PAR, Beard, AP (2008). Ram novelty and the duration of ram exposure effects the distribution of mating in ewes exposed to rams during the transition into the breeding season. Animal Reproduction Science: doi:10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.03.009 [Impact Factor: 1.74]
Hawken PAR, Esmaili T, Jorre de St Jorre, Martin GB (2008). Do cyclic female goats respond to males with an increase in LH secretion during the breeding season? Animal Reproduction Science: doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2008.04.022 [Impact Factor: 1.74]
Hawken PAR, Evans ACO, Beard AP (2008). Short term, repeated exposure to rams during the transition into the breeding season improves the synchrony of mating in the breeding season. Animal Reproduction Science; 106 (3-4): 333-344 [Impact Factor: 1.74]
Hawken PAR, Evans ACO, Beard AP (2008) Prior exposure with rams enhances their behavioural interactions with rams but is not a pre-requisite to their endocrine response to the ram effect. Animal Reproduction Science: 108 (1-2): 13-21 [Impact Factor: 1.74]
Hawken PAR, Beard AP, Esmaili T, Kadokawa H, Blache D, Martin GB (2007). The introduction of rams induces an increase in pulsatile LH secretion in cyclic ewes during the breeding season. Theriogenology; 68: 56-66 [Impact Factor: 1.91]
Hawken PAR, Beard AP, O’Meara CM, Duffy P, Quinn KM, Crosby TF, Boland MP and Evans ACO (2005). The effects of ram exposure during progestagen oestrus synchronisation and time of ram introduction post progestagen withdrawal on fertility in ewes Theriogenology: 63 (3); 860-871 [Impact Factor: 1.91]
Delgadillo JA, Gelez H, Ungerfeld R, Hawken PAR, Martin GB (2009) Revisiting the dogmas surrounding the mechanisms involved in the male effect in sheep and goats. Behavioural Brain Research; accepted with minor corrections [Impact Factor: 2.63]
Evans ACO, Duffy P, Crosby TF, Hawken PAR, Boland MP, Beard AP (2004). Effect of ram exposure at the end of progestagen treatment on estrus synchronisation and fertility during the breeding season in ewes. Animal Reproduction Science: 84(3-4); 349-358 [Impact Factor: 1.74]
Roles, responsibilities and expertise
• Associate Lecturer and researcher in animal science
School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia, Australia: 2005- present
Teaching experience
➢ Coordinate and teach the 4th year unit ‘Animal Science & Technology’
➢ Coordinate and teach in the 3rd year unit ‘Animal Production’
➢ Presentation workshops in the 2nd year unit ‘Science and its Communication’
➢ Teach lectures on reproduction and the environment in the 2nd year unit ‘Animal Science’
Supervising experience
➢ Supervised three students for their 4th year honours project
➢ Currently co-supervising two PhD students and one masters student
➢ Staff representative in organising post graduate retreat 2007 & 2008
➢ External examiner for 4th year honours students
Research experience
➢ Coordinated Australian Research Council grant entitled ‘Stimulation of the mammalian reproductive system by olfactory pathways’
➢ Experimental skills (sheep) – large scale project management, animal handling, jugular venepuncture & cannulation, injections (iv, sc, im), decapitation and brain removal
➢ Laboratory skills – radioimmunoassay, cryosectioning, immunohistochemistry, cell counting, fluorescent and light microscopy
Workshops attended
➢ Scientific writing
➢ Presentation skills
➢ Effective networking
➢ Confocal and fluorescent microscopy
School of Animal Biology, University of Western Australia, Australia: 2005- present
Teaching experience
➢ Coordinate and teach the 4th year unit ‘Animal Science & Technology’
➢ Coordinate and teach in the 3rd year unit ‘Animal Production’
➢ Presentation workshops in the 2nd year unit ‘Science and its Communication’
➢ Teach lectures on reproduction and the environment in the 2nd year unit ‘Animal Science’
Supervising experience
➢ Supervised three students for their 4th year honours project
➢ Currently co-supervising two PhD students and one masters student
➢ Staff representative in organising post graduate retreat 2007 & 2008
➢ External examiner for 4th year honours students
Research experience
➢ Coordinated Australian Research Council grant entitled ‘Stimulation of the mammalian reproductive system by olfactory pathways’
➢ Experimental skills (sheep) – large scale project management, animal handling, jugular venepuncture & cannulation, injections (iv, sc, im), decapitation and brain removal
➢ Laboratory skills – radioimmunoassay, cryosectioning, immunohistochemistry, cell counting, fluorescent and light microscopy
Workshops attended
➢ Scientific writing
➢ Presentation skills
➢ Effective networking
➢ Confocal and fluorescent microscopy
Funding received
2007: University of Western Australia small grant (approximately $12,000)
The sense of smell - perception, individuality and immunology in sheep
The sense of smell - perception, individuality and immunology in sheep
Honours and awards
2006: Society for Reproductive Biology
Meat and Livestock Australia Award for the best presentation in a livestock species
2005: Newcastle University
Best presentation at annual postgraduate conference
2001: Newcastle University
Best student graduating in Agriculture in 2001
Meat and Livestock Australia Award for the best presentation in a livestock species
2005: Newcastle University
Best presentation at annual postgraduate conference
2001: Newcastle University
Best student graduating in Agriculture in 2001
Previous positions
• Postgraduate PhD Studentship
Socio-sexual influences on reproduction in sheep
Newcastle University, UK – School of Agriculture, Food & Rural Development: 2001-05
Socio-sexual influences on reproduction in sheep
Newcastle University, UK – School of Agriculture, Food & Rural Development: 2001-05
Teaching
Personal teaching philosophy
I believe there are 5 ‘Ps’ critical to an effective and enjoyable student experience, namely preparation, practice, passion, presentation and participation. I like to engage students actively during lectures and practical classes because I find that this approach stimulates them, both mentally and emotionally, and encourages even the shiest of them to have a voice. I believe that it is vital to express and communicate my passion for science, and continuously evolve my teaching materials and focus, to reflect current research and attitudes in animal science.
University of Western Australia - School of Animal Biology
• Animal Science and Technology (2005 - present)
➢ Academic level - 3rd and 4th year undergraduates in 4-year degrees
➢ Teaching method – Self-paced handbooks, tutorials and practical classes
➢ Personal involvement - Re-designed course, coordinate, teach much of it
The main objective of this unit is to give students an understanding of the integrated systems that control physiological processes in animals. There is a specific emphasis on reproduction and how we can modify the endogenous control of reproduction by management practices that are either technical or more natural (ie, more ‘clean, green and ethical’). Instruction is by study guides and tutorials that run parallel with a year-long practical that tracks ‘a year in the life of a ewe’. Compulsory topics are physiology and endocrinology of reproduction, lactation and wool growth, and the integration of neural and endocrine control systems. The multi-faceted nature of this unit makes it logistically difficult to coordinate but I have found that meticulous preparation and planning ensures that all students, staff and animals are happy. I personally teach all tutorials and practical classes in this unit and some of my personal achievements associated with this unit are listed below:
• Re-design of the unit (and associated teaching materials) in 2006 and 2009 to accommodate animal ethics requirements, farm practices, timetabling, student feedback and student work load
• Development of a DVD of embryo transfer in sheep with Dr Carolina Vinoles to replace practical demonstration of the technique
• Regular communication (verbal and written) with UWA animal ethics committee to maintain ethics approval for the unit.
• Animal Production (2008 - present)
➢ Academic level - 3rd year undergraduate in 4-year degrees
➢ Teaching method – Lectures, tutorials and practical classes
➢ Personal involvement - Assisted unit re-design, coordinate, teach (5 lectures)
At short notice, I took on the role of unit coordinator in 2008 and worked with the Head of School to develop a unit focussed on the challenges facing animal production in the 21st century. The School of Animal Biology has a strong focus in its teaching and research on the development of ‘clean, green and ethical’ agriculture and we used this concept as the framework through which to educate students on production of wool, meat and milk in Australian production systems. The unit is taught through lectures and practical classes with input from many internal and external experts in the field. The multiple lecturers and subjects associated with this unit again make it logistically difficult to coordinate but I found that consistent and repeated communication with those involved in the unit prevented any problems. Some of my personal achievements associated with this unit are listed below:
• Preparation and presentation of lectures on ‘non-hormonal methods for controlling reproduction’
• Preparation and presentation of lectures on ‘the Australian chicken industry’
• Online handbook entry selected as a ‘model’ entry for the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences by the Chair of the faculty’s Teaching & Learning Committee
• Development and maintenance of unit profile for UWA online learning system (WebCT), including links to lecture recordings, lecture slides and other teaching materials
• Good student feedback – average score of 3.9 out of 5 (range: 3.5 – 4.3)
• Science and it’s Communication (2005 - present)
➢ Academic level - 2nd year undergraduate in 4-year degrees
➢ Personal involvement - Running workshops on presentation and writing skills
• Animal Science (2005 - present)
➢ Academic level - 2nd year undergraduate in 4-year degrees
➢ Personal involvement - Development of 3 lectures on the interaction between reproduction and the environment and 1 practical class on comparative reproductive anatomy and physiology
I believe there are 5 ‘Ps’ critical to an effective and enjoyable student experience, namely preparation, practice, passion, presentation and participation. I like to engage students actively during lectures and practical classes because I find that this approach stimulates them, both mentally and emotionally, and encourages even the shiest of them to have a voice. I believe that it is vital to express and communicate my passion for science, and continuously evolve my teaching materials and focus, to reflect current research and attitudes in animal science.
University of Western Australia - School of Animal Biology
• Animal Science and Technology (2005 - present)
➢ Academic level - 3rd and 4th year undergraduates in 4-year degrees
➢ Teaching method – Self-paced handbooks, tutorials and practical classes
➢ Personal involvement - Re-designed course, coordinate, teach much of it
The main objective of this unit is to give students an understanding of the integrated systems that control physiological processes in animals. There is a specific emphasis on reproduction and how we can modify the endogenous control of reproduction by management practices that are either technical or more natural (ie, more ‘clean, green and ethical’). Instruction is by study guides and tutorials that run parallel with a year-long practical that tracks ‘a year in the life of a ewe’. Compulsory topics are physiology and endocrinology of reproduction, lactation and wool growth, and the integration of neural and endocrine control systems. The multi-faceted nature of this unit makes it logistically difficult to coordinate but I have found that meticulous preparation and planning ensures that all students, staff and animals are happy. I personally teach all tutorials and practical classes in this unit and some of my personal achievements associated with this unit are listed below:
• Re-design of the unit (and associated teaching materials) in 2006 and 2009 to accommodate animal ethics requirements, farm practices, timetabling, student feedback and student work load
• Development of a DVD of embryo transfer in sheep with Dr Carolina Vinoles to replace practical demonstration of the technique
• Regular communication (verbal and written) with UWA animal ethics committee to maintain ethics approval for the unit.
• Animal Production (2008 - present)
➢ Academic level - 3rd year undergraduate in 4-year degrees
➢ Teaching method – Lectures, tutorials and practical classes
➢ Personal involvement - Assisted unit re-design, coordinate, teach (5 lectures)
At short notice, I took on the role of unit coordinator in 2008 and worked with the Head of School to develop a unit focussed on the challenges facing animal production in the 21st century. The School of Animal Biology has a strong focus in its teaching and research on the development of ‘clean, green and ethical’ agriculture and we used this concept as the framework through which to educate students on production of wool, meat and milk in Australian production systems. The unit is taught through lectures and practical classes with input from many internal and external experts in the field. The multiple lecturers and subjects associated with this unit again make it logistically difficult to coordinate but I found that consistent and repeated communication with those involved in the unit prevented any problems. Some of my personal achievements associated with this unit are listed below:
• Preparation and presentation of lectures on ‘non-hormonal methods for controlling reproduction’
• Preparation and presentation of lectures on ‘the Australian chicken industry’
• Online handbook entry selected as a ‘model’ entry for the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences by the Chair of the faculty’s Teaching & Learning Committee
• Development and maintenance of unit profile for UWA online learning system (WebCT), including links to lecture recordings, lecture slides and other teaching materials
• Good student feedback – average score of 3.9 out of 5 (range: 3.5 – 4.3)
• Science and it’s Communication (2005 - present)
➢ Academic level - 2nd year undergraduate in 4-year degrees
➢ Personal involvement - Running workshops on presentation and writing skills
• Animal Science (2005 - present)
➢ Academic level - 2nd year undergraduate in 4-year degrees
➢ Personal involvement - Development of 3 lectures on the interaction between reproduction and the environment and 1 practical class on comparative reproductive anatomy and physiology
Current projects
- The importance of male novelty to the physiological responses of ewes to male effect
- Olfactory processing in sheep
- Olfactory processing in sheep
Research profile
