Rate My Professor Brett Nixon

Professor Brett Nixon is a Professor in the School of Environmental and Life Sciences and Deputy Head of College (Engineering, Science and Environment) at the University of Newcastle, Australia. He obtained his Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science (Honours), and PhD in 1999 from the University of Newcastle, where his doctoral thesis characterized protein expression and function in male gametogenesis as part of vertebrate biocontrol research for species including foxes, rabbits, and mice. After completing his PhD, he held an NIH Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship in the Department of Cell Biology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta (1999-2000). Upon returning to the University of Newcastle, his career advanced through positions as Associate Lecturer (2001-2004), Lecturer (2004-2008), Senior Lecturer (2008-2011), Associate Professor (2011-present), and Professor since 2016. He has been an Australian Research Council (ARC) Fellow since 2015 and serves as a senior researcher in the Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science.

Nixon's research focuses on reproductive biology, with specializations in male factor infertility, sperm dysfunction, gamete biology, and post-testicular sperm maturation. His investigations employ proteomics to study sperm proteins, sperm-egg recognition, artificial reproductive technologies (ARTs) for humans and endangered species such as saltwater crocodiles, platypus, and koalas, and the effects of environmental ovotoxicants and lifestyle factors on fertility. Notable publications include 'Genome analysis of the platypus reveals unique signatures of evolution' (2008), 'DNA damage in human spermatozoa is highly correlated with the efficiency of chromatin remodeling and the formation of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, a marker of oxidative stress' (2009), and 'Molecular changes induced by oxidative stress that impair human sperm motility' (2020). With over 200 peer-reviewed papers, an h-index of 58, and recognition as a top international expert in epididymis and sperm biology, his work has substantial impact. Awards include the 2022 Hunter Medical Research Institute Researcher of the Year, Society for Reproductive Biology Presidents Lecturer (2019), Fellow of the Society for Reproductive Biology (2015), Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence (2013), and Award for Excellence in Reproductive Biology Research (2012). He is Associate Editor of Molecular Human Reproduction (since 2011), an elected member of the Society for Reproductive Biology Council, and a member of the NHMRC Grant Review Panel for Reproductive Medicine.