QASP Team
Senior Management
Milou Dekkers 
Senior Manager
Milou H. Dekkers completed her BSc Animal Science, in the Netherlands, majoring in epidemiology. She worked in process and project management prior to moving abroad. In 2007 she moved to Australia to study her first MSc in Natural Resource Management and in 2010 she completed her second MSc in Environmental Management. Milou has been working in the field of animal research for over 20 years and has worked on a large variety of animal research projects.
In 2016, she became the Senior Manager of QASP; and in addition to her senior management role in the QASP she has been conducting her PhD part-time. Her passion for Natural Resource Management and Animal Science is evident in her commitment and involvement in the various research projects both conducted in QASP and for her PhD.
QASP Senior Staff
Chelsea Baker
Research Officer
Chelsea was born and raised on a pork and beef cattle property in Gayndah, Queensland. She completed a Bachelor of Economics, majoring in Econometrics at the University of New England and after graduation, took an active role in the family’s farming enterprise working as the bookkeeper and Farrowing Shed Manager and Post Office Manager.
Chelsea since commenced her Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Hons) in 2018 at the University of Queensland and joined the QASP team in 2019 as a casual research assistant. Chelsea excels in consultation and planning and has since successfully moved into the Research Officer role, a testament to her hard work and dedication to research. Chelsea remains particularly interested in animal health and welfare, and large animal (and dachshund) reproduction.
Natalie Scott
Research Officer
Natalie joins the QASP team as a Research Officer after moving to Queensland from regional Victoria. She completed a Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing at Melbourne Polytechnic University while also working as farrowing support and manager at an outdoor piggery for four years, developing a love of working in research settings.
Relocating to Queensland for a career opportunity in research, Natalie worked as a senior Animal Technician at QUT's Medical Engineering Research Facility and as an Animal Nutritionist at a national stockfeed manufacturer before joining UQ and QASP.
Stacey Groves
Technical Officer
Stacey Groves has worked in animal handling for over fifteen years. Growing up on a farm provided her with rich knowledge and versatile skills, enabling her to shape a successful career in animal and research management. Before moving to QASP as the Technical Officer over 4 years ago, Stacey worked in meatworks, within a range of labour tasks to quality assurance.
At QASP, Stacey leads the research casual team, by handing and monitoring animal well-being, experimental procedures, routine animal husbandry and management, as well as non-surgical physiological testing. Stacey is equipped to handle a range of animals including, cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, goat, poultry, even rodents and reptiles. Stacey is a hard-working professional, who continues to seek the best possible outcomes for researchers, animals and the QASP community.
Sarah Small
Technical Officer
Sarah graduated from the University of Queesland with a Bachelor in Applied Science majoring in production Animal Science. Since then, she has gained valuable experience in the feed lotting industry, both plant and animal biosecurity and in the welfare sector. Most recently she worked in swine research with one of Australia's leading pork production companies.
Sarah has a passion for working with animals and hopes her current skills can contribute positively to the team while she continues to grow and learn new skills, knowledge and experiences through her time here at QASP.
QASP Team
Hugh Wells
Animal Technician
Since 2021, Hugh has been working with QASP as the Animal Technician, focusing on animal attendance, husbandry, research team leading, and facility maintenance. Raised on a beef property near Pittsworth, Hugh then completed school in Toowoomba, before commencing his Bachelor of Veterinary Science at the University of Queensland.
Hugh has also gained his extensive experience and knowledge working in seismic exploration, trade businesses, and as a jackaroo and groundskeeper. Hugh’s goal working at QASP and completing his study is to maintain and deliver exceptional standard of work and attention to detail. He continues to aspire to be the best version of himself and empower those around him to do the same, especially his team at QASP.
Brodie Dance
Animal Technician
Brodie grew up working on his family farm at Willowbank, before completing an apprenticeship at Brassall butchery. It was here that Brodie was trained by butchers who rated in the top 10 per cent of butchers nation-wide. Now qualified with a certificate 3 in meat processing, Brodie is also food accredited and has a license for wild game harvesting.
Brodie spent two years in a piggery, and then continued to butcher for 6 years, where he also successfully operated in leadership positions for slaughter yards. Brodie has been working with QASP for over 18 months and continues to run his own on-farm butchering business on weekends. His extremely high-level knowledge and practical skills in this area has been instrumental for the establishment of QASP’s Meat Science Facility.
Holly Newsome
Animal Technical Assistant
Holly graduated with a Bachelor of Rural Science (Honours) from the University of New England, where her research focused on the effects of different selling methods on lamb eating quality. This sparked her interest in research, leading to a promising career within the field. During her time at university, Holly gained diverse experience across various industries, including meat science, feedlotting, genetics, and meat processing. Her leadership skills were also strengthened as Chair of the Farming Futures Committee and as coach of the UNE Meat Judging team.
After relocating from a beef property in the New England region of New South Wales, Holly is driven by her passion for animal welfare and production improvement. With her experience in meat science research, she is excited to contribute to the development and growth of QASP’s Meat Science Facility as well as other various projects here at QASP.
Sheree Boisen
Research Assistant
Sheree has been working at QASP for over 12 years as a research assistant. Over this time, Sheree has become competent working and handling a range of animals. Sheree conducts work monitoring animal wellbeing, routine animal husbandry management, participating in experimental procedures, behavioural testing and non-surgical physiological testing. Sheree is also certified in Low stress stock handling and how to humanly euthanise Livestock.
During Sheree’s time at QASP she has also worked with the Gatton University piggery and became certified in carrying out numerous pig husbandry/ procedures. Her experience along with working on pig and cattle trials provided her with the capabilities to become a project leader for trials at QASP. Sheree extends her skills into administrational procedures including organising and preparing for audits, cleanliness and maintaining the high standards of QASP.
Joe Williams
Research Assistant
Joe has been working at QASP since 2021 whilst completing his degree in veterinary science. Joe has over 10 years in large animal veterinary practice management and technical roles, with proficiency in all handling, specimen collection, health assessment and prescribed treatment administration of horses, farm animals and companion animals. Joe is skilled in Farriery of horses and production animals, with certificates in Low Stress Stock handling, tractor and chopper use.
Joe’s dedication to QASP and the broader UQ community was recognised with a nomination for the UQ DVCRI Deputy Vice-Chancellors award for Excellence in 2022. Joe has also published 5 articles in the RSPCA’s Animal Welfare Magazine Series and been invited as an expert contributor (and published article) to the UQ-QLD Racing “off the track” program and was a guest speaker and training provider for the RSPCA QLD Inspectorate.