Each fortnight, the WA Agricultural Scientist Spotlight showcases the stories of Western Australia’s leading minds in agricultural science, sharing the career journeys, research programs, and industry insights of scientists helping shape the future of WA’s agricultural sector.
This edition features Dr Kelsey Pool, a reproductive biologist who has made the unexpected, and highly impactful, leap into agricultural science.
In a joint position between The University of Western Australia (UWA) and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Dr Pool is applying her expertise in molecular and reproductive biology to some of the most complex and pressing challenges in animal production systems.
Reproductive biology to regional paddocks
Despite her current role bridging research institutions and farm paddocks, Dr Pool doesn’t consider herself an agricultural scientist in the traditional sense.
“I’m technically not an agricultural scientist – I’m a reproductive biologist,” Dr Pool said.
“But these days I do apply a lot of my scientific background into agriculture, alongside a few other projects in the medical and fundamental biology space.
“I actually love taking my molecular science background on-farm – although it’s not usually logistically easy.”
Dr Pool’s journey into science began with a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience at the University of Sydney, followed by an Honours project jointly conducted with CSIRO in Armidale, New South Wales.
The uncertainty of job prospects in Sydney led her to pursue a PhD in reproductive biology, a choice she hoped would keep multiple career options open, from coordinating medical trials to working as a researcher or embryologist.
The turning point came mid-PhD during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With her plans to apply for postdoctoral programs in the United States thrown into uncertainty, Dr Pool took a chance and applied for the Lefroy Fellowship in Western Australia.
“My supervisor encouraged me to apply as a practice opportunity – if nothing else, it would mean my CV was up to scratch and I might get some interview experience,” she said.
“I ended up getting the position, and loved working with the agricultural industry here so much that I decided to stay in Western Australia.”
A conservationist turned agricultural advocate
Although she now spends a large portion of her time on farms, Dr Pool didn’t grow up in a farming family, nor did she have early aspirations to work in agriculture.
“I grew up in a bushland suburb and was obsessed with the natural world from a young age,” she said.
Her undergraduate degree focused more on wildlife management and conservation than animal production, but hands-on experiences on farms across Queensland and New South Wales reshaped her perspective.
“I came to appreciate that producers had a critical role in land care and management, and that they oversee an ecosystem, not just a business operation,” Dr Pool said.
“I figured the best way to make a holistically positive impact was to support sustainable food production systems.”
The deeper she moved into agricultural work, the more convinced she became of the field’s importance to both environmental and social outcomes.
“The further I progress through my career, the more certain I become that working with agricultural stakeholders is critical for protecting natural resources, biodiversity and environmental resilience, as well as for improving production outcomes,” Dr Pool said.
Now in a joint position between UWA and DPIRD, Dr Pool’s typical week is anything but typical.
For 2025, her ‘typical’ week has been a slightly chaotic hybrid of university teaching, on-farm trials, lab work, supervising postgraduate students and squeezing in grant and paper writing around that.
“I’m typically out on farms at least one day per week,” Dr Pool said.
“My schedule definitely catches up with me sometimes – I had to pull over the other day and give an online lecture en route to the farm because I’d misjudged my timing a bit.”
Despite the challenges, Dr Pool finds great satisfaction in the variety and impact of her work.
“It’s pretty cool to be out on-farm, running a livestock fertility lab, and then the next week applying that same knowledge to issues in human reproductive health,” she said.
“Most of our basic knowledge around reproduction is founded from livestock models, it’s surprising to a lot of people how biology in sheep and cattle is used as a physiological foundation across many different fields of study.”
Research at the intersection of science and sustainability
Dr Pool’s current research spans multiple disciplines but is anchored by a common theme – using molecular science to improve system-wide outcomes in agriculture.
“I tend to gravitate towards projects that use molecular science to drive system strategies,” she said.
“For me that’s the sweet spot between solid science and tangible impact.”
One ongoing program continues the work she began during the Lefroy Fellowship, investigating endocrine disruptors, which are environmental compounds that interfere with reproduction.
“I’m particularly interested in how endocrine disruptors could interact with other environmental factors, such as climate, to influence fertility,” Dr Pool said.
The program now encompasses studies across sheep, cattle, insects, and humans, reflecting her cross-sector approach.
Another innovative project involves trialling topical defleecing agents in sheep as an alternative to traditional crutching methods.
Beginning with growing wool in petri dishes, the research has now advanced to on-farm trials on commercial Merino properties.
She is also continuing a laparoscopic surgery program in Perth to study fetal physiology, which could offer new insights into lamb mortality.
Most recently, she’s turned her focus northward.
“I’ve been co-designing trials around heat stress, reproduction and methane emissions intensity with pastoralists in the Pilbara region,” Dr Pool said.
“I think there is so much potential for this region to lead initiatives in sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.”
Science that travels far and wide
While the research is rooted in WA, its applications go well beyond State borders.
“The great thing about conducting fundamental, biological science in agriculture is that the findings are widely applicable across a range of systems and species,” Dr Pool said.
“My work looks at the mechanisms driving reproductive outcomes, and once we know the cause, we can develop evidence-driven, robust solutions to overcoming production barriers.”
She believes industry collaboration is critical, not just for the science itself, but for empowering producers.
“Lugging a full-scale fertility lab out to farms has other benefits, as it’s a great way to increase access to science for regional communities,” Dr Pool said.
“Producers often have to act as on-farm scientists, with access to far fewer resources and less formal training.
“I think transferring knowledge and skillsets is one of the best outcomes from industry-science collaboration.”
More broadly, she sees agricultural science finally gaining recognition in the wider research landscape.
One of the most important outcomes for her personally, is seeing agricultural science getting the recognition it deserves in the wider scientific community.
“We do some pretty great science in ag, and having that recognised in broader society is going to be critical in the ongoing development of policies concerning Australian agriculture,” Dr Pool said.
Celebrating and sharing success
When asked about her proudest accomplishments, Dr Pool doesn’t hesitate to highlight her students.
“Honestly, I think helping my students navigate their research is pretty special,” she said.
“There’s something really rewarding about unconditionally supporting someone to achieve their goals.”
Personally, a standout moment came in 2024, when she received a Young Tall Poppy Award from the Australian Institute of Policy and Science – recognition that led to opportunities on national and international stages.
“I was supported to go speak about agricultural science in Parliament earlier this year, and have been MCing the world’s largest science communication event, the FameLab Australian National finals, for the WA Museum,” she said.
“The best thing about the Tall Poppy award was that my research team was able to come to the ceremony.
“I had colleagues from UWA, Murdoch and CSIRO – I am really lucky to have such a collaborative support network of inspiring scientists.”
For students and early-career researchers wondering whether agriculture could be the right fit, Dr Pool is unequivocal.
“Agriculture has some of the most diverse skillsets, communities and applications of all the scientific fields I have worked in,” she said.
“In what other field could you learn to 4WD, conduct surgery, and develop molecular assays – all in the one career path?”
She emphasised that agriculture is a field that values scientific, interpersonal, and entrepreneurial skills alike.
“You’ll watch your science fold into farm practice, and hopefully see positive, tangible change in a space that is driving how we go about securing a sustainable future,” she said.
“Accept that in some ways you will probably be challenged, but you will never be bored.”
Dr Pool’s journey is a testament to the unexpected paths science can take and the powerful impact of bringing molecular biology into the heart of agriculture – where innovation, collaboration and curiosity continue to shape a more sustainable future.
Through the WA Agricultural Scientist Spotlight series, WAARC celebrates the contributions of researchers like Kelsey Pool, whose work exemplifies the dedication and innovation needed to advance agricultural science in Western Australia.
By sharing their stories, the series aims to inspire a new generation to pursue careers in this vital field, ensuring the State remains at the forefront of agricultural research and sustainability.
