Koala Research Foundation Australia

Koala Research Foundation Australia

Leadership Team

Our directors have brought together their diverse networks and experiences for the KRFA to establish a program which works towards saving a national icon. Our aim is to ensure koalas can thrive in the wild for generations to come

Doug Buerger, KRFA CEO

Koala Research Foundation Australia (KRFA) is partnering with leading researchers in koala health and rehabilitation for pioneering research and the establishment of a koala chlamydia vaccination program, along with the captive breeding and release of wild koalas. Our research program brings together world experts in the fields of koala biology and medicine, leveraging collaboration and the integration of unique and complimentary expertise, from The University of Queensland, QUT, and Currumbin Wildlife Hospital

KRFA

Research Team

Dr. Michael Pyne, a revered wildlife veterinarian, has led Australia’s wildlife conservation for more than 20 years. As the Senior Vet and General Manager at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, he provides exceptional care to over 14,000 wildlife cases annually, overseeing a dedicated team. His commitment to wildlife preservation inspires the conservation community

Dr Michael Pyne OAM

Currumbin Wildlife Hospital

Ken Beagley is a Professor of Immunology at Queensland University of Technology who has spent 35 years working in the areas of reproductive and mucosal immunology. His interests focus on immunity to chlamydia in humans and koalas, and his research developed the first vaccine to prevent the infection in Koalas.

Professor Ken Beagley

Queensland University of Technology

A/Prof Stephen Johnston is a trained zoologist and specialises in reproductive biology. He has worked with a broad diversity of species with a major focus on Australian mammals, including koalas. He recently conducted a study to better understand the effect of chlamydia on male koala reproduction, as well as other reproduction related projects.

A. Professor Steve Johnston

University of Queensland

KRFA

Leadership Team

Doug Buerger

Doug is a geologist with more than 40 years experience in the minerals industry with 13 years as Managing Director and CEO of a gold mining company

Greg Jenke

Greg is a former Hospital CEO with 38 years of experience as a senior healthcare executive within both public and private sector hospitals across four states

Murray d’Almeida

Murray has more than 35 years of diverse national and international business experience in finance, accounting, retail franchising, mining, both in Australia and overseas

Dr Vishal Mehrotra

Vishal is an Assistant Professor of Marketing and Program Director at Bond Business School, with deep expertise in traditional, digital, and mixed media marketing across 26 countries

Lauren Schneider

Lauren is a governance professional, and non-practising lawyer, with close to two decades of experience in public sector, educational and private sector settings