Claire Phyn

Qualifications

• PhD (Animal Science), 2007, Massey University, NZ.
• BApplSc (Hons), 1st class honours in Animal Science, 1999, Massey University, NZ.
• BApplSc, Animal Science, 1998, Massey University, NZ.

Areas of interest

Lactation biology and mammary functional genomics applied to New Zealand pasture-based dairying; physiological mechanisms regulating responses to milking frequency, extended lactation and their interactions with nutrition and cow genotype; identification of genetic and physiological markers for cows suitable for extended lactations.

Key accomplishments

• Industry/science: Technical contribution to dairy farm system research/demonstration of maize silage feeding and once-a-day milking, which were subsequently followed by industry uptake.
  Commercial research trials for Pioneer (Genetic technologies) and PROLIQ (Lactose NZ).
  Contributor on the Pioneer 'Breaking Through the Feed Barrier' maize silage video. Basic and applied research into the regulation of the mammary gland in response to milking frequency, extended lactation and cessation of milk removal.
  Major contributor to one FRST bid, which has been successful to concept-approved stage to date.

Awards

• New Zealand Society of Animal Production (NZSAP) – Animal Science Travel Award to the UK, Ireland and USA (2006), 1st place Young Members Award (2004), 1st place Jubilee University Award (Massey) (1998)
• NZ Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (NZSBMB) – 1st Waikato branch student competition representative (2004), Student Travel Award (2006)
• Massey University Institute of Animal, Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences Postgraduate Travel Grant (2006)
• Royal Society of New Zealand Travel Award to USA (2003)
• American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) - 2nd place Graduate Student Presentation Competition (2003)
• FRST Bright Futures Enterprise (Fonterra) Scholarship (2001-2004)
• Kathleen Stewart Scholarship (1998); Kitchener Memorial Scholarship (1998).

Career output summary

Other roles:

• Speaker at national and international conferences in Australia and the US.
• Editor and reviewer for the Proceedings of the OAD Milking Conference (2007) for dairy farmers and rural professionals.
• Waikato Science Fair Judge 2007.