Robert Banks | Director Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit
University of New England

Dr Robert Banks was born and educated in Tasmania, and has a PhD in Genetics from UNE. He has lived and worked in Armidale through his career.  His career has been focussed on genetic improvement in a range of industries, in particular sheep and beef cattle. He worked in MLA for 25 years, managing genetics R&D and overall R&D strategy, and more recently has been Director of the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit since 2013. In MLA he lead the development of LAMBPLAN, which became Sheep Genetics, and initiated the Beef and Sheep Information Nucleus co-funding programs. Rob has combined a sound understanding of genetic improvement with a capacity for strategic thinking, and great effectiveness as a change agent in the industries he has worked in.