At Evogene, precision isn’t just a principle—it’s how we operate every day. As one of our Co-founders and our Lead Embryologist and Andrologist, Shelley plays a central role in advancing reproductive science and supporting the success of our clients across Australia’s livestock industry.
With over two decades of experience in both research and commercial bovine IVF operations in Australia and North America, as well as in clinical human assisted reproduction, Shelley has a strong understanding of the key aspects required for a successful IVF laboratory. With a focus on transforming research ideas into commercial realisation, Shelley spends most of her time in our state-of-the-art IVF laboratory. Her technical skills create embryos using Evogene’s unique procedures that ensures our success rates are among the highest in the country. Shelley also leads our Laboratory Quality Control Program, ensuring the highest standards are maintained across all IVF activities—from farm to lab.
Originally from the Illawarra region south of Sydney, Shelley has spent over 20 years immersed in animal reproduction, research and clinical IVF. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with Honours from The University of Sydney, a PhD in bovine sperm sex sorting from The Faculty of Veterinary Science at The University of Sydney, and has completed Post-Doctoral Research with Semex’s L’Alliance Boviteq in Quebec, Canada, where she developed techniques to allow the commercial realisation of reverse sorting of dairy cattle semen for IVF use. Shelley also spent 9 years with Monash IVF Group as a clinical Embryologist and Andrologist, where she honed her skills in ICSI and embryo biopsy techniques.
Shelley’s research resulted in over a dozen first-author, peer reviewed publications, abstracts and book chapters, and her research achievements include the Birth of the first calf worldwide from the artificial insemination of reverse-sorted, re-frozen-thawed sperm, and the first publication describing the Production of embryos from IVF of reverse-sorted, re-frozen bull sperm.
Shelley’s vision for Evogene is to be a key driver of innovation and growth within Australia's livestock industry by focusing on the improvement of applied reproductive technologies to maximise our client’s success.
In her free time, you will find Shelley escaping the city whenever possible to go beach or bush camping with her husband and two young children, always with a campfire, friends, and their 2 standard Groodles close by. Join us in welcoming Shelley Underwood-Green.