The Nbryo powerhouse

Gerard has extensive experience in agribusiness, biotech, and agtech, specialising in commercialising technology. He has held senior roles at major companies like Australian Agricultural Company, ThermoFisher Scientific, and Pfizer’s Animal Health Division (now Zoetis), driving technological success in the livestock and agri-food industries. Gerard founded Catapult Genetics Pty Ltd, growing it into a global leader in molecular diagnostics for animals before its acquisition by Pfizer. He has also consulted for organizations like Mastaplex, CRC for Food Agility, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on strategic and technology commercialisation plans and has a PhD in Quantitative Genetics.

Entrepreneur, Chair, and Co-Founder, CEO of Goannacorp, Founder of Herron Pharmaceuticals and Imaginot, and Co-owner of Nindooinbah, a leading artificial breeding facility. Previously served as Chair and Adjunct Professor at University of Queensland’s (UQ) Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, member of UQ’s Institute of Molecular Biosciences Commercialisation Board, Chair of the QLD Government Biotechnology Advisory Council, and member of the Reserve Bank of Australia Small Business Advisory Board. Completed professional development at Harvard and IMD, committed to building value-driven companies and learning organisations.

Holly is a full-time Non-executive Director and former Chief Executive, Former CEO of Australian retailer Best & Less Holly has over 25 years’ experience in general management and marketing, including roles at Telstra, Pacific Brands and Ford Motor Company (in the US and Australia). Holly is the recipient of the Sir Charles McGrath Award for a distinguished career in Marketing. Holly currently sits on a range of listed boards including ANZ Group Holdings (ASX: ANZ) and Woolworths Group (ASX: WOW), where she chairs the board’s Sustainability Committee. She also sits on the boards of New Zealand dairy cooperative and Fonterra (ASX/NZX: FSF).

Sandy is an experienced Director with 30+ years in pharmaceuticals, consumer products, and property development, holding executive roles in manufacturing, procurement, logistics, sales, and marketing. With a strong finance background, Sandy is committed to social enterprise, founding Traction for Young People Ltd in 2015 to support vulnerable youth through hands-on learning and mentoring. He also led residential apartment developments at Concept Living Properties Pty Ltd and served as Marketing Director at Rain Harvesting Pty Ltd.

Tim is the founder and chairman of Scarcity Partners, a private equity firm, and was previously a managing director and co-founder of Hyperion Asset Management. From 2020 to 2024, he served as Chairman of Packhorse Pastoral Company, which focuses on regenerative agriculture. Currently, Tim holds several non-executive roles, including Chairman of EMMI Solutions, a carbon transition risk management platform for institutional investors. He frequently speaks on topics related to investment, regenerative agriculture, and carbon finance.

Anna has held various roles at Herron Pharmaceuticals, including Sales Representative, Brand Manager for Natural Health Care, and Marketing Manager for Hilton Healthstream. She is also the co-founder and owner of Blue Mountain Co, which manages niche sustainability brands for betterbuilt environments. Previously, she was a Brand Manager for confectionery at Nestlé, a Business Unit Marketing Manager for Sainsbury’s Supermarkets in London, and a Marketing Communications Executive at The Body Shop.

Matthew co-founded Tenacious Ventures, Australia’s first venture capital firm focused on agri-food innovation. He was a founding board member of the Australian AgriTech Association and co-founded Observant, an agtech company acquired by Jain Irrigation in 2017. He also served as the founding chair of Rocket Seeder, an agri-food innovation accelerator, and the Australian Government Agriculture 4.0 Task Force. As a member of the CSIRO Agriculture and Food Advisory Committee, he is dedicated to promoting Australian agri-food innovation worldwide.

For over 15 years, Nick has developed technology to empower commercial beef and dairy producers with IVP. As the primary inventor and co-founder of Nbryo, he was instrumental in transforming Nindooinbah into a leading artificial breeding centre for beef cattle in Australia. At Nbryo, Nick guides the development and application of the platform, bringing a practical livestock farmer’s perspective to advanced technological approaches. With a lifelong involvement in artificial reproduction, from mustering surrogates on horseback in his youth to running Nindooinbah’s state-of-the-art facility, Nick’s thought leadership continues to shape Nbryo’s innovations.

Jim is an experienced CFO, Company Secretary, and Executive Director (Chartered Accountant, Chartered Secretary) with deep expertise in genetics and the cattle industry. Recent roles have included CFO of two major Australian cattle producers, Consolidated Pastoral Company and Northern Australian Pastoral Company. At Nbryo, Jim oversees financial governance, guiding the company from early stages to successful exits through major transactions. Jim is driven by curiosity, fully immersing himself in understanding and addressing business challenges while seeking opportunities for growth and improvement.

Lewis has extensive experience in remote animal monitoring, livestock genomics, and molecular diagnostics, working with major companies like Allflex and startups like Cerestag. At Nbryo, Lewis drives global interest in its technologies and secures key partners through business development. A strong advocate for tech adoption in agriculture, Lewis leads the future of the sector as head of Frost Agritech and a board member of the Australian AgriTech Association.

Sophia holds a PhD in Bovine Reproduction. As Director of Marketing and Technical at Vetoquinol Animal Health, she managed the beef and dairy reproduction product portfolio. At Nbryo, Sophia oversees platform development from conception through commercialisation. Raised on a beef cattle and broiler chicken farm in the Hunter Valley, she continues as a beef cattle producer. She also holds a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Hons), an MBA, and occasionally transfers equine embryos in pursuit of show jumping excellence.

Rebecca is an agribusiness professional with extensive experience throughout the beef industry value chain both in Australia and abroad.

With a B. Rural Science (UNE) and an M.Sc. Business Mgt in the Ag & Food Industries (UK), her career has spanned on-farm management, advisory (NSW Beef Cattle Officer & Extension Executive for Zimbabwe’s Cattle Producers’ Association), feedlotting (US), R&D (NSW Ag and the US), Brand Management (AACo, GrainCorp), 10 years of self-employment, a chapter with a start-up agribusiness and more recently Product Manager for a global animal health company specialising in Bovine Reproduction.

Rebecca is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP). She was a 23/24 Mentor for the Graeme Acton Beef Connections Program and is currently Chair of one of Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC)’s Natural Capital Boards. Former Board roles have included Foundation of Australian Agricultural Women (FAAW) and Queensland Polo.

Victoria has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and has several years work experience in an IVF laboratory. Additionally, she has worked in microbiology quality control for an Argentine company that produces vaccines and veterinary medicine, for a further five years.

Victoria has recently relocated to Australia, to further her passion for IVF.

Fatima is an experienced laboratory professional with 13 years of animal in vitro fertilisation (IVF) experience across cattle, sheep and pigs in several countries.

Fatima has foundations in clinical biochemistry and biotechnology and has a strong skill set in laboratory management and field activities.

Rafaela is an experienced laboratory technician with 5 years as an embryologist in Brazil covering fertilization, selection, freezing and preparation for direct transfer.  She has a bachelor of  science (biology) and a keen interest in bovine IVF.

AgriScience graduate of Massey University, with a stud breeding background in NZ. Advocate & mentor for agricultural youth programs & competitions. Moved to Queensland in 2019 and spent 4 years with AACo in operations analyst and business partner roles within the Intensive business (Breeding & Genetics, Backgrounding & Feedlotting).

Comprehensive experience in supply & operational planning within beef supply chains, financial budgeting & forecasting, project management and extensive data analysis & reporting. Proficient in identifying and improving efficiencies within intensive and extensive livestock production systems.

Independent and determined, active problem solver, relatable & personable communicator, spreadsheet wizard. Passionate about identifying opportunities to improve systems and processes that drive decision making & business performance.

Originally trained as a veterinarian in Brazil, Rodrigo has extensive bovine assisted reproductive technology (ART) experience.

He is proficient in a wide array of techniques from embryo collection (Multiple Ovulation Embryo Technology  or MOET), follicular puncture, manipulation of embryos and oocytes, artificial insemination, reproductive ultrasound with experience in ultrasound early diagnosis and ultrasound foetal sexing, treatment for reproductive pathologies in females, nutrition focused on bovine reproduction.

In his role with Gertec he oversaw the global export of embryos and more recently managed an IVF lab with responsibility for both laboratory and field operations.

Rodrigo’s Nbryo role will focus on refining field processes with a focus on animal health and quality outcomes.

Bernd comes from a medicinal chemistry background and has 25+ years of experience as a professional in both industry and academia in Australia and overseas. This includes extensive experience in research and in project management ranging from projects in a research environment to the commercial cGMP manufacture of a live biotherapeutic product for a phase 2 clinical trial.

He has also worked as a proposal manager for a contract manufacturer in the biotechnology industry, where he has worked closely with business development to deliver close to 500 tailor made project proposals for process development and cGMP manufacture to a wide variety of clients in the areas of live biotherapeutics, recombinant proteins, and plasmid DNA.

Xavier graduated as a veterinarian from the University of Queensland and began his veterinary career working in mixed practice in Northern Australia focusing on Equine and Bovine Reproduction. On returning to Brisbane, he completed a rotating internship in Equine surgery, medicine and reproduction at The University of Queensland Equine Specialist Hospital. Xavier completed a residency in Theriogenology and is a Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists, a Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists and a Registered Specialist in Reproduction at Queensland Veterinary Specialists. Xavier is also a lecturer with the Faculty of Science at The University of Queensland.

Xavier has a clinical interest in canine, equine and bovine reproduction, medicine and surgery. He is currently a Specialist in Reproduction at Queensland Veterinary Specialists and working closely with the Nbryo product development and operations teams.

Data Manager with 5 years of experience in data management and analysis. Worked extensively with QUT Public Health Department and QUT Centre for Data Science on predictive risk analysis programs and digital twin development.

Completing MBA at QUT in 2022. Cofounded small business Ink and Gumption and led commercialisation and operation processes.

Traveller and constant learner. Spent 7 years working in a kindergarten in Japan as a teacher and then manager. Still enjoy working with students.

Project and operations management background with a focus on environmental sustainability.

Previous experience with a business design consultancy, industry association and a major FMCG.

Led a successful government funded sustainability program for Queensland small business.

Completer-finisher, tree hugger, chicken lady, mother of (3) dragons, jack-of-all-trades, Excel guru, professional tinkerer, rower, lover of systems & processes, human.

A qualified accountant (member of CPA Australia) with experience in financial reporting, financial analysis, budget and forecasting for SME businesses across different industries in New Zealand and Australia.

Previously held Management Accountant position for a biotech startup company WearOptimo. With 10+ years of experience in the accounting field, Sarina loves problem solving and is keen on learning. My major achievements including streamlining financial processes for efficiency.

Dana is an undergraduate student at QUT currently completing the honours year of her Bachelor of Engineering/ Bachelor of Mathematics double degree. She majors in mechatronics and computational mathematics, with specific interests in biotechnology and robotics.

Dana has participated in numerous research projects with the university as a research assistant, including work with machine learning explainability and modelling treatment of tumours in patients.

Professor Blair retired from Massey University in April 2022; he has been retained part time. At retirement, he was appointed Professor Emeritus. Emeritus Professor Blair holds Directorships with New Zealand Animal Evaluation Ltd, Focus Genetics LP and C Alma Baker Trust Ltd, and Chairs the Scientific Advisory Committee for Nbryo. He has previously served on several not-for-profit, sport and primary sector Boards, and has significant experience in evaluating / ranking applications for research funding and reviewing science programs.

Emeritus Professor Blair grew up on a hill country sheep and beef cattle farm in New Zealand. He graduated from Massey University in 1976 and joined the Sheep Husbandry Department to lecture and undertake a PhD. In 1995, he became Department Head of Animal Science and in 1998 assumed the role of Deputy Head of the Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Science. Emeritus Professor Blair lectured in animal production and animal breeding and genetics to undergraduate and postgraduate students. His main research interests were the application of animal breeding and genetic technologies to the genetic improvement of production and service animals in New Zealand; understanding developmental programming to improve production animal performance and the study of the genetic causes of diseases.

Emeritus Professor Blair supervised about 100 postgraduate students, 49 being PhD graduates. He has developed several international collaborative research relationships with institutions in China, Japan and Uruguay.

Professor Paul Wood AO has led R&D teams from CSIRO, CSL and Pfizer Animal Health (now Zoetis) and was Deputy-Director of the Vaccine Technology CRC. He brought several innovative products to the market, receiving recognition for his work to invent a new diagnostic test for Tuberculosis, including the CSIRO Medal, the Clunies Ross award and made an Officer in the Order of Australia.

Paul was Chair of the Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines and on the Board
of Dairy Australia.

He is currently Chair of an Insect farming start-up, on the Australian Academy Technology, Science and Engineering Board and an Adjunct Professor at Monash University. In 2019 he received the International Distinguished Veterinary Immunologist Award from the IUIS Veterinary Immunology Committee (VIC).

He is a mentor for various AgTech accelerators such as Sprout X and Rocket Seeder as well as the CSIRO Protein Mission and in 2022 received the Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers.

Professor Appolinaire Djikeng is the 4th Director General of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and Senior Director of CGIAR Livestock-Based Systems.

Prior to joining ILRI and the CGIAR, Professor Djikeng Djikeng was Chair of Tropical Agriculture and Sustainable Development at the The University of Edinburgh and Director of the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH) at the Roslin Institute, Edinburgh, UK.

Professor Djikeng previously held research faculty and science leadership positions at Bioscience easter and central Africa (BecA, ILRI, Kenya), at Yale University School of Medicine (Connecticut, USA) and at the J Craig Venter Institute (Maryland, USA) primarily focusing on genomics and functional genomics with application to global health and agricultural development.

Professor Djikeng currently serves on boards and science advisory committees including The Sainsbury Laboratory (UK), The Kirkhouse Trust (UK), Science for Africa Foundation (Kenya) and is affiliated with several universities (University of Queensland , Australia; The University of South Africa; and The University of Edinburgh, UK).