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Associate Professor Steve Johnston
Associate Professor

Steve Johnston

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 54601 076

Overview

Background

A/Prof Stephen Johnston is a Reader in Reproduction (40% Teaching; 40% Research and 20% Service) in the School of Environment at the University of Queensland, where he teaches animal reproduction and captive husbandry to Bachelor of Wildlife Science and Science undergraduate and postgraduate students. He is current program coordinator for the Bachelor of Wildlife Science Program. He is also a research affiliate in the School of Veterinary Science. Stephen was trained as a zoologist and specialises in the area of reproductive biology in a broad diversity of species ranging from prawns to tigers but with a major focus on Australian mammals. A/Prof Johnston has published 300 scientific works in basic and applied science disciplines including reproductive anatomy, physiology and behaviour. He was the first person in the world to produce a pouch young following artificial insemination in a marsupial, a task that he and his colleagues have now carried out successfully in the koala, a total of 34 times. Stephen is also a specialist in the cryopreservation of marsupial spermatozoa and in the assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation, including human and domestic animal spermatozoa. A/Prof Johnston’s recent research interests and grant success include studies aimed at a better understanding of the effect of chlamydia on male koala reproduction, heat stress in koalas, sociobiology of koalas, genetic and reproductive management of koalas, wombat captive reproduction, echidna captive breeding, crocodile artificial insemination and prawn aquaculture. He is a Fellow of the Society for Reproductive Biology (2019)

Availability

Associate Professor Steve Johnston is:
Not available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Reproductive Biology of Wildlife

    The study of fundamental (anatomy, physiology and behaviour) and applied biology of the reproduction of Australian fauna and exotic mammals

  • Assessment of male human fertility

    Studies centred around the assessment of sperm DNA fragmentation in human reproductive medicine

  • Cryopreservation of spermatozoa

    A study of the cryopreservation of spermatozoa of vertebrate species

Research impacts

For 25 years, A/Prof Johnston has been the leader in the development of assisted breeding technology in Australian native fauna, with a strong interest in marsupial reproduction. His successful koala artificial breeding technology has been incorporated into State Government Conservation Policy and Legislation. The koala assisted breeding technology, which he developed, is also currently been used by the Queensland Zoo industry for genetic exchange and there are plans to use the technology for the overseas export of koala sperm to Japan and the United States. This work has also received recent acknowledgement n the Koala Expert Panel Final Report to the Queensland Government (2018). He provides expert advice and consultancy to the (1) Zoo Industry - Dreamworld, Australia Zoo, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Taronga Zoo, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Rockhampton Zoo, Perth Zoo, Australian Animals Care and Education, Sea World, Paradise Country, San Diego Zoo, Australian Japan Wildlife Education Conservation Foundation, Japanese Zoo Industry (2) Production Animal Industry - Koorana Crocodile Farm, Ag Force – teacher education programs, Prawn and Aquaculture (DAFFI and CSIRO). He is a regular media commentator on wildlife related issues for TV and radio and has been involved with numerous documentaries on marsupial and monotreme reproduction including “Koala Miracle” by Lyndal Davies (1998) from Rock Wallaby Productions, (which featured his work on the successful artificial insemination of the koala) “Miracle babies” produced by National Geographic Channel (2012) - http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/wild/episodes/koala-dating-game1/ and morerecently, a new documentary “Born in the Wild” produced by Charlotte Hunt-Grubble from Windfall Films on my koala and echidna reproductive research.

Works

Search Professor Steve Johnston’s works on UQ eSpace

307 works between 1992 and 2025

61 - 80 of 307 works

2020

Journal Article

DNA fragmentation of human spermatozoa: simple assessment of single‐ and double‐strand DNA breaks and their respective dynamic behavioral response

Tímermans, Ana, Vázquez, Rosana, Otero, Fátima, Gosálvez, Jaime, Johnston, Stephen and Fernández, José Luis (2020). DNA fragmentation of human spermatozoa: simple assessment of single‐ and double‐strand DNA breaks and their respective dynamic behavioral response. Andrology, 8 (5) andr.12819, 1287-1303. doi: 10.1111/andr.12819

DNA fragmentation of human spermatozoa: simple assessment of single‐ and double‐strand DNA breaks and their respective dynamic behavioral response

2020

Journal Article

Body temperature of free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in south-east Queensland

Adam, D., Johnston, S. D., Beard, L., Nicolson, V., Gaughan, J. B., Lisle, A. T., FitzGibbon, S., Barth, B. J., Gillett, A., Grigg, G. and Ellis, W. (2020). Body temperature of free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in south-east Queensland. International Journal of Biometeorology, 64 (8), 1305-1318. doi: 10.1007/s00484-020-01907-y

Body temperature of free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in south-east Queensland

2020

Journal Article

The incidence and etiology of sperm DNA fragmentation in the ejaculates of males with spinal cord injuries

Vargas-Baquero, Eduardo, Johnston, Stephen, Sánchez-Ramos, Antonio, Arévalo-Martín, Angel, Wilson, Richard and Gosálvez, Jaime (2020). The incidence and etiology of sperm DNA fragmentation in the ejaculates of males with spinal cord injuries. Spinal Cord, 58 (7), 803-810. doi: 10.1038/s41393-020-0426-6

The incidence and etiology of sperm DNA fragmentation in the ejaculates of males with spinal cord injuries

2020

Journal Article

Preliminary evaluation of urinary cytology and running wheel activity to detect oestrus and the effect of daily handling on breeding success of fat-tailed dunnarts Sminthopsis crassicaudata

Swinston, Paige, Johnston, Stephen D., O'Hara, Patricia, Englebright, Robert and Keeley, Tamara (2020). Preliminary evaluation of urinary cytology and running wheel activity to detect oestrus and the effect of daily handling on breeding success of fat-tailed dunnarts Sminthopsis crassicaudata. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 32 (13), 1108-1115. doi: 10.1071/rd20001

Preliminary evaluation of urinary cytology and running wheel activity to detect oestrus and the effect of daily handling on breeding success of fat-tailed dunnarts Sminthopsis crassicaudata

2020

Journal Article

Epidemiology of chlamydia-induced reproductive disease in male koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) from Southeast Queensland, Australia as assessed from penile urethral swabs and semen

Hulse, Lyndal S., Beagley, Kenneth, Ellis, William, Fitzgibbon, Sean, Gillett, Amber, Barth, Ben, Robbins, Amy, Pyne, Michael, Larkin, Rebecca and Johnston, Stephen D. (2020). Epidemiology of chlamydia-induced reproductive disease in male koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) from Southeast Queensland, Australia as assessed from penile urethral swabs and semen. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 56 (1) 2019-03-062, 82-92. doi: 10.7589/2019-03-062

Epidemiology of chlamydia-induced reproductive disease in male koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) from Southeast Queensland, Australia as assessed from penile urethral swabs and semen

2019

Journal Article

Co-incubation of spermatozoa with human follicular fluid reduces sperm DNA fragmentation by mitigating DNase activity in the seminal plasma

Dorado-Silva, Monica, Bartolomé-Nebreda, Javier, Sánchez-Martín, Pascual, Johnston, Stephen and Gosálvez, Jaime (2019). Co-incubation of spermatozoa with human follicular fluid reduces sperm DNA fragmentation by mitigating DNase activity in the seminal plasma. Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics, 37 (1), 63-69. doi: 10.1007/s10815-019-01643-2

Co-incubation of spermatozoa with human follicular fluid reduces sperm DNA fragmentation by mitigating DNase activity in the seminal plasma

2019

Journal Article

Individual variation of the masticatory system dominates 3D skull shape in the herbivory-adapted marsupial wombats

Weisbecker, Vera, Guillerme, Thomas, Speck, Cruise, Sherratt, Emma, Abraha, Hyab Mehari, Sharp, Alana C., Terhune, Claire E., Collins, Simon, Johnston, Stephen and Panagiotopoulou, Olga (2019). Individual variation of the masticatory system dominates 3D skull shape in the herbivory-adapted marsupial wombats. Frontiers in Zoology, 16 (1) 41, 41. doi: 10.1186/s12983-019-0338-5

Individual variation of the masticatory system dominates 3D skull shape in the herbivory-adapted marsupial wombats

2019

Journal Article

The piRNA response to retroviral invasion of the koala genome

Yu, Tianxiong, Koppetsch, Birgit S, Pagliarani, Sara, Johnston, Stephen, Silverstein, Noah J, Luban, Jeremy, Chappell, Keith, Weng, Zhiping and Theurkauf, William E (2019). The piRNA response to retroviral invasion of the koala genome. Cell, 179 (3), 632-643.e12. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.09.002

The piRNA response to retroviral invasion of the koala genome

2019

Journal Article

Rapid point‐of‐care diagnostics for the detection of Chlamydia pecorum in koalas ( Phascolarctos cinereus ) using loop‐mediated isothermal amplification without nucleic acid purification

Hulse, Lyndal S., McDonald, Sean, Johnston, Stephen D. and Beagley, Kenneth W. (2019). Rapid point‐of‐care diagnostics for the detection of Chlamydia pecorum in koalas ( Phascolarctos cinereus ) using loop‐mediated isothermal amplification without nucleic acid purification. MicrobiologyOpen, 8 (12) e916, e916. doi: 10.1002/mbo3.916

Rapid point‐of‐care diagnostics for the detection of Chlamydia pecorum in koalas ( Phascolarctos cinereus ) using loop‐mediated isothermal amplification without nucleic acid purification

2019

Journal Article

Protamine composition of koala and wombat spermatozoa provides new insights into DNA stability following cryopreservation

Johnston, S. D., López-Fernández, C., Arroyo, F., Roy, R., Holt, W. V. and Gosálvez, J. (2019). Protamine composition of koala and wombat spermatozoa provides new insights into DNA stability following cryopreservation. Reproduction, Fertility and Development, 31 (10), 1558-1566. doi: 10.1071/rd18512

Protamine composition of koala and wombat spermatozoa provides new insights into DNA stability following cryopreservation

2019

Journal Article

Kinematic and head morphometric characterisation of spermatozoa from the Brown Caiman (Caiman crocodilus fuscus)

Valverde, Anthony, Madrigal-Valverde, Mónica, Castro-Morales, Olivier, Gadea-Rivas, Arnoldo, Johnston, Stephen and Soler, Carles (2019). Kinematic and head morphometric characterisation of spermatozoa from the Brown Caiman (Caiman crocodilus fuscus). Animal Reproduction Science, 207, 9-20. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2019.06.011

Kinematic and head morphometric characterisation of spermatozoa from the Brown Caiman (Caiman crocodilus fuscus)

2019

Conference Publication

Challenges associated with the development and transfer of assisted breeding technology in marsupials and monotremes: lessons from the koala, wombat and short-beaked echidna

Johnston, Stephen (2019). Challenges associated with the development and transfer of assisted breeding technology in marsupials and monotremes: lessons from the koala, wombat and short-beaked echidna. Clayton, VIC, Australia: CSIRO Publishing. doi: 10.1071/rd18113

Challenges associated with the development and transfer of assisted breeding technology in marsupials and monotremes: lessons from the koala, wombat and short-beaked echidna

2019

Journal Article

Modification of crocodile spermatozoa refutes the tenet that post-testicular sperm maturation is restricted to mammals

Nixon, Brett, Johnston, Stephen D., Skerrett-Byrne, David A., Anderson, Amanda L., Stanger, Simone J., Bromfield, Elizabeth G., Martin, Jacinta H., Hansbro, Philip M. and Dun, Matthew D. (2019). Modification of crocodile spermatozoa refutes the tenet that post-testicular sperm maturation is restricted to mammals. Molecular and Cellular Proteomics, 18 (3), S59-S76. doi: 10.1074/mcp.RA118.000904

Modification of crocodile spermatozoa refutes the tenet that post-testicular sperm maturation is restricted to mammals

2019

Journal Article

Developing non-invasive methodologies to assess koala population health through detecting Chlamydia from scats

Cristescu, Romane H., Miller, Russell L., Schultz, Anthony J., Hulse, Lyndal, Jaccoud, Damian, Johnston, Stephen, Hanger, Jon, Booth, Rosie and Frère, Céline H. (2019). Developing non-invasive methodologies to assess koala population health through detecting Chlamydia from scats. Molecular Ecology Resources, 19 (4) 1755-0998.12999, 957-969. doi: 10.1111/1755-0998.12999

Developing non-invasive methodologies to assess koala population health through detecting Chlamydia from scats

2019

Book Chapter

Assessment and management of reproduction in Australian monotremes and marsupials

Keeley, Tamara and Johnston, Stephen (2019). Assessment and management of reproduction in Australian monotremes and marsupials. Current therapy in medicine of Australian mammals. (pp. 63-84) edited by Larry Vogelnest and Timothy Portas. Clayton South, VIC, Australia: CSIRO Publishing.

Assessment and management of reproduction in Australian monotremes and marsupials

2019

Book Chapter

Using the koala (phascolarctos cinereus) as a case study to illustrate the development of artificial breeding technology in marsupials: An update

Johnston, Stephen D. and Holt, William V. (2019). Using the koala (phascolarctos cinereus) as a case study to illustrate the development of artificial breeding technology in marsupials: An update. Reproductive sciences in animal conservation. (pp. 327-362) Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-23633-5_12

Using the koala (phascolarctos cinereus) as a case study to illustrate the development of artificial breeding technology in marsupials: An update

2019

Journal Article

DNA damage and repair in human reproductive cells

García-Rodríguez, Anaís, Gosálvez, Jaime, Agarwal, Ashok, Roy, Rosa and Johnston, Stephen (2019). DNA damage and repair in human reproductive cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20 (1) 31, 31. doi: 10.3390/ijms20010031

DNA damage and repair in human reproductive cells

2019

Journal Article

Association of polymorphisms in genes coding for antioxidant enzymes and human male infertility

García Rodríguez, Anaís, de la Casa, Moises, Johnston, Stephen, Gosálvez, Jaime and Roy, Rosa (2019). Association of polymorphisms in genes coding for antioxidant enzymes and human male infertility. Annals of Human Genetics, 83 (1), 63-72. doi: 10.1111/ahg.12286

Association of polymorphisms in genes coding for antioxidant enzymes and human male infertility

2018

Journal Article

Amphibian sperm chromatin structure and function and its relevance to sperm preservation

Pollock, Kate, Gosálvez, Jaime, López-Fernández, Carmen and Johnston, Stephen D. (2018). Amphibian sperm chromatin structure and function and its relevance to sperm preservation. Journal of Herpetology, 52 (4), 486-491. doi: 10.1670/17-163

Amphibian sperm chromatin structure and function and its relevance to sperm preservation

2018

Journal Article

Evaluating the impact of moulting and chilled storage of spermatophores on the integrity of plasma membrane, acrosome and DNA of black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) spermatozoa

Feng, Tianyi, Paterson, Brian, Coman, Greg and Johnston, Stephen (2018). Evaluating the impact of moulting and chilled storage of spermatophores on the integrity of plasma membrane, acrosome and DNA of black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) spermatozoa. Aquaculture Research, 50 (1), 226-235. doi: 10.1111/are.13888

Evaluating the impact of moulting and chilled storage of spermatophores on the integrity of plasma membrane, acrosome and DNA of black tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon) spermatozoa

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2029
    Koala Health and Rehabilitation Collaborative for research to advance koala reproductive health and promote species survival
    Koala Health and Rehabilitation Collaborative
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    UQ Koala Research Fellowship
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2024
    Do environmental stressors increase retrovirus activity and exacerbate disease in koalas?
    New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    The Power of Koala Poo
    Celestino Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Identification of key players for the outcome of Chlamydia infection in female koalas
    Dreamworld
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Automated immunohistochemical analysis module for the expansion of research and clinical diagnostic capabilities at UQ
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2019
    The immune response to Chlamydia pecorum infection in the reproductive tract of female koalas
    Annandale Bequest
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Koala retrovirus epidemic: genetic diversity, genome invasion and disease
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Breeding echidnas in captivity (ARC Linkage Project administered by The University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Chlamydia infiection in the ovary: effects on fertility in female koalas
    Annandale Bequest
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    A Living Koala Genome Bank
    Queensland Government Advance Queensland Innovation Partnerships
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Computer Modelling of the anatomy of the Northern Hairy-Nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus kreftii): A New Dimension in Knowledge, Understanding and Awareness
    The Wombat Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Establishment of a core facility in reproductive technology including cell micromanipulation and stem cells to improve research capacity and benefit animal health at the Gatton campus
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2017
    Behavioural and physiological adaptations to heat in the koala
    Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Pathways of pathogen transmission in the koala
    Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2017
    The pathology, incidence, treatment and management of Chlamydiosis in the male koala.
    Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2020
    Genetic Capture Technology in the Conservation of the Koala in South-East Queensland
    Dreamworld
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Development of assisted breeding techniques in the crocodile industry
    Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Artificial insemination of the southern hairy-nosed wombat
    The Wombat Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Gamete recovery from diseased koalas
    San Diego Zoo
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Gamete recovery from diseased koalas
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Use of the GnRH antagonist AZALINE B to control koala anterior pituitary function and oestrus synchronisation
    Dreamworld
    Open grant
  • 2010
    UQ Travel Awards #2 - Stephen Johnston
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Deltavision Core deconvolution microscope
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Australian Wildlife on the Web: a web resource supporting undergraduate animal behavioural studies students
    UQ Teaching & Learning Strategic Grants
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Reproductive biology of the greater bilby Macrotis lagotis - Dreamworld
    Dreamworld
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2007
    The Captive Management of Southern Hairy Nosed Wombats at Rockhampton Zoo
    The Wombat Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    The University of Queensland Echidna Study Program: A world class facility for collaborative echidna research
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2008
    Reproductive Biology and Contraception in the Australian White Ibis Research Program 2005 - 2008
    Brisbane City Council
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2008
    The Preservation And Management Of Koala Genetic Diversity Using Reproductive Biotechnology And Molecular Genetics: A Model For Endangered Australian Marsupials
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Reproductive technology for the aviculture industry: A model for breeding endangered parrots
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2005
    A model for the development of ex situ conservation of Papua New Guinea's critically endangered long-beaked echidna
    Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
    Open grant
  • 2000
    Reproductive Endocrinology of the Koala: Evidence for a Unique Pattern of Marsupial Reproduction.
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Investigating improved methods for the cryopreservation of marsupial spermatozoa: establishing a research programme
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Associate Professor Steve Johnston is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Comparative Anatomy and Physiology of Monotreme and Marsupial Accessory Glands

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Chiara Palmieri, Dr Taylor Pini

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Novel methods for improving in vitro production of bovine embryos

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Andres Gambini

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Development and Application of Assisted Breeding Technology for theConservation of Avian wildlife

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Bob Doneley, Dr Taylor Pini

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Hatching out the secrets of female monotreme reproductive biology

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Chiara Palmieri, Dr Taylor Pini

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Novel strategies for marsupial genetic preservation and in vitro embryo production

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Andres Gambini

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Steve Johnston directly for media enquiries about:

  • Animal reproduction
  • Bilbies
  • Breeding technologies - for animals
  • Captive breeding programs
  • Crocodile reproduction
  • Cryopreservation - animal genetics
  • Embryo transfer - animals
  • Exotic animals - reproductive biology
  • IVF - for animals
  • Kangaroos
  • Koalas
  • Koalas - reproductive biology
  • Reproduction in animals
  • Rhinos
  • Spermatology - animal studies
  • Wildlife reproductive biology
  • Wombats
  • Zoo captive breeding

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au