Last term, we had the pleasure of hosting Dr Jen Taylor from CSIRO in our class.
Initially, we expected her talk to focus mainly on agriculture, but we were pleasantly surprised and inspired by the positive environmental advances and sustainability improvements she is involved in at CSIRO.
Dr Taylor shared her journey, highlighting the pathways and opportunities she pursued after her time at Rockhampton Girls Grammar School. She spoke about her undergraduate studies and PhD in Biochemistry and Genetics at the University of Queensland. Following her degree, she held prestigious positions as a head research leader and a lecturer in Genetics and Statistics at the University of Oxford, UK.
We all greatly appreciated Dr Taylor taking time out of her busy schedule to speak with us. Her insights were truly inspiring and left a lasting impression on our class.
Molly and Rebecca
Year 10
Dr Jen Taylor: Bio
Dr Jen Taylor is the Director of the CSIRO Agriculture and Food portfolio. CSIRO Agriculture and Food hosts Australia’s largest combined research portfolio facing agriculture, harnessing 760 scientists located in 25 sites across Australia. CSIRO Agriculture and Food works to deliver impact in areas of secure food systems, resilient farming systems, improved sustainability footprint, healthy foods, high-value protein, future crops and trusted supply chains.
Prior to the Director role, Dr Jen Taylor was the Deputy Director (Science) and prior to that the Research Director, for the farming systems research. This portfolio develops new technologies and approaches for the resilience, sustainability and profitability of Australian agricultural production.
Dr Taylor completed undergraduate studies and a PhD at the University of Qld in biochemistry and genetics and then held research leader and teaching positions in genetics and statistics at the University of Oxford, UK. She returned to Australia in 2008, joining CSIRO to work in agricultural genetics. She has held leadership roles in national and international agricultural research spanning biotechnology, farming systems management, supply chains, agri-tech and digital agriculture. Dr Taylor has a passion for agricultural innovation, sustainability in farming systems and digital literacy training in research and industry. Dr Taylor contributes as board director, committee member, panel member to a range of enterprises and national bodies facing the Australian agriculture sector.
Dr Taylor completed Year 8 – Year 12 at Rockhampton Girls Grammar School, graduating in 1990.
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