Overview
Background
Dr Taylor Pini is a lecturer in veterinary reproduction within the School of Veterinary Science. Taylor graduated with a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience (Hons) and a PhD in reproductive biology from The University of Sydney. After her PhD, Taylor undertook postdocs at the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine (USA), and with the Gametic Epigenetics Consortium against Obesity (GECKO) at The University of Sydney. Taylor has worked across various aspects of male reproduction using a range of species, including sheep, mice and humans.
Taylor's research focuses on sperm biology and better understanding how both physiological processes and applied interventions impact sperm function, with the ultimate goal of improving outcomes of applied reproductive technologies.
Taylor is a co-host and producer of the science communication podcast Repro Radio.
Looking for a research project? Taylor is currently taking on Summer and Winter Scholarship Students (undergraduate) and Science Honours Students. If you are interested in pursuing a Masters or PhD degree with Taylor as a supervisor, please get in touch by email to discuss current opportunities and scholarship options.
Availability
- Dr Taylor Pini is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy of Reproduction, The University of Sydney
Research interests
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Reproduction
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Sperm physiology
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Seminal plasma biology
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Sperm cryopreservation
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Proteomics
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Oxidative stress
Works
Search Professor Taylor Pini’s works on UQ eSpace
2016
Conference Publication
Changes to sperm surface carbohydrates following exposure to seminal plasma and freezing
Pini, Taylor, Leahy, Tamara and de Graaf, Simon P. (2016). Changes to sperm surface carbohydrates following exposure to seminal plasma and freezing. 10th Biennial Conference of the Association for Applied Animal Andrology, Tours, France, 24 June 2016. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2016.03.021
2014
Journal Article
Erratum: Seminal plasma aids the survival and cervical transit of epididymal ram spermatozoa (Reproduction (2014) 148 (X1))
Rickard, J. P., Pini, T., Soleilhavoup, C., Cognie, J., Bathgate, R., Lynch, G. W., Evans, G., Maxwell, W. M.C., Druart, X. and De Graaf, S. P. (2014). Erratum: Seminal plasma aids the survival and cervical transit of epididymal ram spermatozoa (Reproduction (2014) 148 (X1)). Reproduction, 148 (6), 469-478. doi: 10.1530/REP-14-0285e
2014
Journal Article
Seminal plasma aids the survival and cervical transit of epididymal ram spermatozoa
Rickard, J. P., Pini, T., Soleilhavoup, C., Cognie, J., Bathgate, R., Lynch, G. W., Evans, G., Maxwell, W. M. C., Druart, X. and de Graaf, S. P. (2014). Seminal plasma aids the survival and cervical transit of epididymal ram spermatozoa. Reproduction, 148 (5), 469-478. doi: 10.1530/rep-14-0285
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Taylor Pini is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Hot and hormonal; The combined impacts of heat stress and endocrine disruption on fertility and sperm small RNAs in Drosophila
The modern world creates a hostile environment for reproduction, particularly due to two paramount concerns: climate change and endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The effects of both pose significant issues for reproduction across all species. Both have been studied in isolation, but the effects of heat stress x EDC interaction on reproduction have not been explored. As individuals are likely to be exposed to both heat stress and EDCs concomitantly, there is a clear need to study their combined impacts. The two major reproductive concerns stemming from heat stress and EDCs are resultant infertility in the exposed generation of parents and inherited epigenetic effects in offspring. Focusing on male reproduction, this project will explore these facets by analysing the combined impacts of heat stress and EDC (equol) exposure on the small RNA profile of spermatozoa in a Drosophila model.
This project would be suitable for an honours or coursework masters student with interest in molecular biology and reproduction.
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Exploring epididymal maturation in a macropod model
Australia faces an extinction crisis, and macropods are no exception, with 60% under threat. Captive breeding using assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) can be a crucial tool but requires in depth knowledge of the species’ reproductive biology. There has been little research or success in this area in macropods. Given this, we aim to characterise important molecular changes in macropod sperm during epididymal maturation. In doing this, we expect to generate new knowledge of macropod reproductive biology. This is an important first step towards developing effective ARTs for the conservation of threatened and endangered macropods.
This project would be suitable for an honours or coursework masters student with an interest in molecular biology, proteomics and wildlife conservation.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Comparative Anatomy and Physiology of Monotreme and Marsupial Accessory Glands
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Chiara Palmieri, Associate Professor Steve Johnston
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Doctor Philosophy
Hatching out the secrets of female monotreme reproductive biology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Steve Johnston, Professor Chiara Palmieri
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Taylor Pini directly for media enquiries about:
- conception
- fertility
- ivf
- reproduction
- sperm
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