Renowned animal scientist appointed new Chief

Professor Alan Bell, who took up his Brisbane-based position earlier this month, was formerly head of Animal Science at the prestigious Cornell University in the United States.

In addition to undertaking research and teaching at Cornell, Professor Bell was responsible for running a department consisting of more than 200 staff and students and several substantial research farms.  His research interests are in the nutritional physiology of pregnancy, lactation and growth in cattle and sheep.

Professor Bell replaces CSIRO Livestock Industries’ foundation Chief, Shaun Coffey, who moved to New Zealand last year to head-up the government-owned technology company, Industrial Research Limited.

Raised on a dairy and beef property in South Gippsland, Victoria, Professor Bell completed his first degree in Rural Science at the University of New England at Armidale, NSW.  He obtained a PhD from the University of Glasgow and returned to Australia to lecture in animal nutrition and physiology at La Trobe University in Melbourne.  Professor Bell has spent the past 21 years at Cornell University.

“The opportunity to become part of CSIRO’s proud tradition of scientific partnership with Australia’s livestock and allied industries is exciting,” Professor Bell says.

“An early priority for me is to strengthen the professional relationships I have retained with Australian industry organisations and the leaders of several relevant CRCs, as well as establishing new ones. 

“At the same time, I am learning about the existing scientific and business partnerships both within and outside CSIRO and exploring new opportunities, including international collaborations.”

Professor Bell says that since its formation in 2000, CSIRO Livestock Industries has rebuilt its science skill base and invested heavily in upgrading existing infrastructure and building new laboratories.

“I anticipate that our traditional focus on animal disease, especially exotic disease control and emergency disease preparedness, will continue to grow.

“However, in the next 3-7 years I expect the Division’s research portfolio will further evolve to meet the needs of a wider stakeholder group, reflecting its strong capability in mammalian biology.”