Dr Ryan Witt

Ryan Witt is a wildlife conservation scientist specialising in marsupial reproduction and reproductive technologies, marsupial ecology, and emerging drone-derived thermal imaging technologies for surveying for koalas and other cryptic species. As a Novocastrian, Ryan has a passion and interest in developing local and regional conservation projects for at-risk marsupial populations in the Hunter Region. He aims to deliver grassroots conservation research of international benefit that is aligned with the National Agenda across three contemporary spheres: drone-based thermal imaging, genome storage, and translocation science.

Ryan completed a Bachelor of Social Science (Recreation and Tourism) in 2008, a Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management (1stClass Honours, Faculty Medal and University Medal) in 2013 and a PhD (Advances in oestrous synchronisation technology for assisted breeding in marsupials) in 2018 at the University of Newcastle. Ryan is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher and Honorary Lecturer in the College of Engineering, Science and Environment.

Research Interests and Expertise

Ryan is passionate about koala and marsupial rehabilitation and conservation (assisted reproduction/captive breeding and population monitoring using drones with thermal imaging capabilities). Throughout his doctorate Ryan trained and developed expertise in applied conservation research. His main focus was on marsupial reproduction, developing new techniques to improve breed and release programs for the genetic management of threatened populations. Ryan has considerable expertise surveying for koalas, possums and gliders on the Central Coast, Newcastle and Port Stephens. His experience as a research ecologist includes using drone-dervived thermal imaging and spotlighting to assess the density and occupancy of koala populations, using spotlighting surveys to evaluate the occupancy of threatened squirrel glider populations in Newcastle and Port Stephens. Ryan has also conducted surveys on eastern grey kangaroo (observation, immobilization, capture and veterinary procedures), and has experience quantifying habitat and monitoring green and golden bell frogs on Ash Island. 

Ryan’s PhD focus was central to a key problem in marsupial breeding programs – the inability to reliably and accurately time ovulation. This problem occurs in marsupials due to two factors (1) most marsupials ovulate spontaneously, and (2) the marsupial corpus luteum – the organ responsible supporting pregnancy – becomes independent of hypothalamic-pituitary support after formation, and thus eutherian based technologies of oestrous synchronisation designed to disrupt the life of the corpus-luteum have failed in marsupials. Ryan’s research progressed oestrous synchronisation technology in marsupials by using a GnRH agonist and exogenous FSH and LH hormones to regulate the oestrous cycle with the aim of predicting ovulation. By advancing this technology, Ryan’s research has paved the way for non-invasive trials to be conducted. His work is an essential component of assisted reproduction required to establish marsupial artificial insemination programs for conservation management.

In January 2018, Ryan delivered a status update on marsupial assisted reproduction at the 2018 Companion Animals Non-Domestic and Endangered Species (CANDES) symposium, the annual premiere meeting in the area of assisted breeding for non-domestic animals held at the International Embryo Technology Society (IETS) Conference. This paper and conference presentation (Witt& Rodger 2018) addressed the international audience with up-to-date tools and technologies used to monitor and manipulate marsupial oestrous for conservation breeding (Witt and Rodger 2018). Since 2021, Ryan has served as the Australasian board member of the Companion Animals and Non-Domestic Species Specialist Group of the International Embryo Technology Society. This group governs the annual CANDES symposium, the premiere international meeting in the research area of assisted breeding for non-domestic animals. 

Ryan is dedicated to establishing conservation research projects and partnerships that serve to ensure the recovery of the NSW Koala population, and the survival of the threatened squirrel glider in the urban forests of Newcastle. Ryan aims to ensure future generations will have the opportunity to experience what it’s like to see a koala or a squirrel glider in the wild. Most recently, Ryan has collaborated with NSW DPIE to develop a drone/thermal imaging method for detecting koalas in the wild.