APRIL names new CEO and Chief Scientist
Australasian Pork Research Institute Limited (APRIL) has announced its inaugural Chief Scientist and CEO is Professor John Pluske from Murdoch University. More than half of Pluske’s time will be devoted to APRIL, but he will continue his academic roles and duties at the university.
APRIL is a collaborative research entity that aims to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the Australasian pork industry. It continues the approach to research and development of the Cooperative Research Centre for High Integrity Australian Pork (Pork CRC), which will expire 30 June 2019.
Partnering with industry and educational institutes, APRIL will deliver research and commercial outcomes to the pork industry that will generate financial returns and support ongoing research, development and training. In 2018/19, its inaugural funding year, the institute invested $900,000 in 13 projects across programs covering resilience, cost and return on assets.
Pluske said APRIL would consider all funding opportunities, including competitive research grants, to ensure the industry had the necessary financial backing. It will also work with Australian Pork Limited (APL) to jointly provide access to research facilities through base funding and ensure the industry has access to high-quality scientists and generates research outcomes capable of enhancing capacity, profitability and sustainability.
Dennis Mutton, APRIL Board Chairman, said: “There are exciting research prospects ahead for the pork industry and John’s sound research background and international reputation augers well for meeting the high goals and KPIs we’ve set for APRIL.”
Pluske is a nutritional digestive physiologist with a particular focus on the nutrition and growth and development of young and growing pigs. His research career has including many years as a Pork CRC subprogram leader.
According to David Morrison, Murdoch University Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation, the opportunity is also valuable to the university. He said it “will enable Murdoch University to retain one of our prominent researchers, which is fantastic for our research capability and for our students”.
Mutton stated members and the board appreciate APRIL interim CEO Roger Campbell’s efforts in leading Pork CRC since its 2005 inception.
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