1347367
Professor Martin Sillence
Faculty of Science,
School of Biology & Environmental Science
Biography
Martin Sillence is Academic Lead (Research), responsible for developing research capacity and capability in Biological and Environmental Sciences at QUT. He has previously served as Assistant Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Science (2007-2009), and the Faculty of Science and Technology (2009-2012), as well as Academic Program Director (2014-2018), responsible for overseeing all undergraduate science courses at QUT.His other leadership roles have included Discipline Leader (Biological Sciences) and Acting Head of School (Environmental and Biological Sciences). He also currently serves the Australian Government, Department of Health, as a member of the Gene Technology Scheme Implementation Expert Reference Panel.
Prior to joining QUT, Professor Sillence held a personal research chair in Animal Science at Charles Sturt University NSW, where he worked for 11 years, helping to establish a new Veterinary Science course, while creating and managing a vaccine research centre. Before that, he served 9 years with CSIRO in Queensland, based in the Division of Livestock Industries.
With degrees in pharmacology and animal physiology & nutrition from the University of Leeds (UK), Sillence gained further research experience in the US, before establishing his own research team. He continues to lead an active research group focused on animal physiology and pharmacology, with particular strengths in equine health and medicine.
Dr Sillence has enjoyed a diverse research career, publishing over 100 scientific papers in the fields of pharmacology, forensic chemistry, endocrinology, animal science and equine science, winning a Literary Prize from the Journal of Veterinary Science in 2004 for his scientific writing and a Vice-Chancellor's award from Central Queensland University for excellence in postgraduate student supervision. He has also served as a research consultant to major animal health companies, and has held several patents concerning the use of vaccines to improve the efficiency of food utilization in livestock.
Personal details
Positions
- Professor
Faculty of Science,
School of Biology & Environmental Science
Keywords
Endocrinology, Equine, Forensic, Hormones, Insulin, Laminitis, Livestock, Metabolism, Nutrition, Pharmacology
Research field
Animal production, Veterinary sciences
Field of Research code, Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC), 2020
Qualifications
- PhD (University of Leeds)
- Grad Cert university leadership and management (Charles Sturt University)
Teaching
Professor Sillence currently teaches undergraduate topics in pharmacology, animal biology, animal welfare and food security.
Previous teaching experience includes units in: Animal Science, Animal Health and Welfare, Veterinary Pharmacology, Physiology, Endocrinology, Nutritional Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Animal Production Systems and Advanced Animal Nutrition.
Previous teaching experience includes units in: Animal Science, Animal Health and Welfare, Veterinary Pharmacology, Physiology, Endocrinology, Nutritional Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Animal Production Systems and Advanced Animal Nutrition.
Experience
Professor Sillence has 38 years experience in research, with 30 years experience in research training and research management. He is an active researcher in the fields of veterinary and animal science, with a career total of over $12 million in research grants and three recent projects @ $1.3 million concerning laminitis, the pharmacokinetics of equine medications and metabolic syndrome.
Professor Sillence has held four provisional patents and produced more than 100 refereed publications in international scientific journals. One of his papers concerning equine laminitis has achieved a higher citation rate than any paper on this topic published in the past 15 years.
With a chief interest in animal endocrionology, growth and metabolism, Professor Sillence also has some experience in veterinary pharmacology, physiology, immunology, chemistry, forensic science, animal behaviour and animal nutrition.
As a research leader, Professor Sillence has developed some expertise in research career development, coaching and mentoring, assisting the Faculty to achieve outstanding success in research performance.
Read more
Professor Sillence has held four provisional patents and produced more than 100 refereed publications in international scientific journals. One of his papers concerning equine laminitis has achieved a higher citation rate than any paper on this topic published in the past 15 years.
With a chief interest in animal endocrionology, growth and metabolism, Professor Sillence also has some experience in veterinary pharmacology, physiology, immunology, chemistry, forensic science, animal behaviour and animal nutrition.
As a research leader, Professor Sillence has developed some expertise in research career development, coaching and mentoring, assisting the Faculty to achieve outstanding success in research performance.
Publications
- De-laat, M., Kyaw-Tanner, M., Sillence, M., McGowan, C. & Pollitt, C. (2012). Advanced glycation endproducts in horses with insulin-induced laminitis. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 145(1 - 2), 395–401. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/51408
- De-laat, M., Pollitt, C., Walsh, D., McGowan, C. & Sillence, M. (2012). Persistent digital hyperthermia over a 48 h period does not induce laminitis in horses. The Veterinary Journal, 192(3), 435–440. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/51405
- De-laat, M., Sillence, M., McGowan, C. & Pollitt, C. (2012). Continuous intravenous infusion of glucose induces endogenous hyperinsulinaemia and lamellar histopathology in Standardbred horses. The Veterinary Journal, 191(3), 317–322. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/51407
- De-laat, M., van Eps, A., McGowan, C., Sillence, M. & Pollitt, C. (2011). Equine Laminitis: Comparative histopathology 48 hours after experimental induction with insulin or alimentary oligofructose in standardbred horses. Journal of Comparative Pathology, 145(4), 399–409. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/52217
- Tinworth, K., Harris, P., Sillence, M. & Noble, G. (2010). Potential treatments for insulin resistance in the horse: A comparative multi-species review. The Veterinary Journal, 186(3), 282–291. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/42829
- Tinworth, K., Boston, R., Harris, P., Sillence, M., Raidal, S. & Noble, G. (2012). The effect of oral metformin on insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant ponies. The Veterinary Journal, 191(1), 79–84. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/51411
- Asplin, K., Patterson-Kane, J., Sillence, M., Pollitt, C. & McGowan, C. (2010). Histopathology of insulin-induced laminitis in ponies. Equine Veterinary Journal, 42(8), 700–706. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/42635
- Asplin, K., Sillence, M., Pollitt, C. & McGowan, C. (2007). Induction of laminitis by prolonged hyperinsulinaemia in clinically normal ponies. The Veterinary Journal, 174(3), 530–535. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/45255
- Asplin, K., Curlewis, J., McGowan, C., Pollitt, C. & Sillence, M. (2011). Glucose transport in the equine hoof. Equine Veterinary Journal, 43(2), 196–201. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/43149
- De-laat, M., McGowan, C., Sillence, M. & Pollit, C. (2010). Equine laminitis: Induced by 48 h hyperinsulinaemia in Standardbred horses. Equine Veterinary Journal, 42(2), 129–135. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/43108
QUT ePrints
For more publications by Martin, explore their research in QUT ePrints (our digital repository).
Selected research projects
- Title
- Determining Reliable Excretion Times for Therapeutic Drugs in Horses
- Primary fund type
- CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
- Project ID
- PRJ-000255
- Start year
- 2007
- Keywords
- Veterinary; Pharmacology; Drugs; Forensics; Horses
Projects listed above are funded by Australian Competitive Grants. Projects funded from other sources are not listed due to confidentiality agreements.