DrJessica Rickard

Supervision Opportunities: I welcome expression of interest from prospective students in the following areas;

Markers of ram sperm fertility linked to successful artificial insemination in sheep

This project will utilise proteomics, lipidomics and metabolomics to identify factors on the ram sperm membrane linked to fertility following artificial insemination and how exposure to seminal plasma or cryopreservation can alter this relationship.  

Understanding the molecular interaction between frozen ram sperm and the female environment using immune-based approaches

This project will continue to examine how sperm are recognised within the female reproductive tract, specfically the ovine cervix and how exposure to seminal plasma or cryopreservation alters this delicate immune interaction for potential industry application

Other areas I am interested in exploring;

• Improving the success and efficiency of applied reproductive technologies in livestock and wildlife such as the rhinoceros
• Optimising new technologies for the artificial breeding sheep industry
• The fertility of sexed ram semen
• The application of technology to the sheep industry for improved reproductive management