Dr Judy Ford

Dr Judy Ford joined the University of South Australia in March 2006 in a new position of Research Education Adviser for Science, Engineering and Technology. Her role in this position is to provide services and resources for higher degree students through university-wide on campus and online advisory services and resources. Judy also works one day each week as a Research Fellow in the Centre for Regional Engagement.

Judy brings considerable research experience to both her positions. After completing her PhD thesis in Plant Cytogenetics and Post Doctoral work in Developmental Biology, she worked in the field of Human Genetics for 30 years. Her work involved the development and administration of diagnostic services in Human Cytogenetics as well as Research. She has published over 90 peer reviewed papers, edited several special editions of books and conference proceedings and won many research grants. Her work started with a focus on cell division and cellular function but later moved into the effects of lifestyle and environment on health. She is particularly interested in the interactions between genes and lifestyle on health outcomes. The details of Judy's publications and previous appointments can be found on her personal website. After 20 years directing a Hospital Department, in 1995 Judy set up her own Genetics Company through which she gained considerable business experience. The Company closed in 2000 after merging its activities with other Companies.

In 2001, the Investigator Science Centre named Dr Judy Ford as one of the 14 key SA Science Innovators of the 20th Century for her work on lifestyle and reproduction. She has studied miscarriage from many different aspects: she started with experiments on cells, moved on to perform extensive studies on miscarried embryos and then in conjunction with Professor Tony McMichael undertook a very large prospective study on lifestyle and reproduction. Judy is an expert on the causes of miscarriage . She has developed an on-line questionnaire that generates a Personal Report for couples who are planning a pregnancy and wish to avoid problems.

From 2001 to 2006 Judy worked full time as a Health Communicator and Consultant and then one day each week from 2006 to 2008. She now spends a few hours on weekends maintaining her online services. Judy has published three books for a lay audience 'It Takes Two: Reproducing Naturally Today', 'GLOW: Principles of Healthy Ageing' and 'Build sperm with attitude'. These books are also available from her websites as e-books together with four other e-books 'Know your enemy: strengthen yourself against cancer', 'Making love & babies', 'How to interpret a temperature chart' and 'Starting your family after 35'. Judy has recently expanded her information sites to share her concepts of natural solutions to fertility problems with couples in the USA, UK and New Zealand. Judy has spoken extensively to business and community audiences. She now uses her speaking experience to teach communication skills. She is also often called on as a Genetics Expert.

In addition to her academic qualifications and considerable speaking and media experience, Judy has formal qualifications in Photography and Radio production. She uses her knowledge and personal experience to teach postgraduate students how to communicate to the public through personal presentations and through the media.

• Planning and Managing Research
• Optimising the PhD Experience
• Healthy Behaviour and Habits that optimise Work Performance
• Communicating research through writing, speaking, public media and the Internet.

Australian Association of Science Communicators

Australasian Society Human Biology

American Association Aging

Bachelor Science, First Class Honours in Genetics, University of Sydney, 1967

Ph.D in Genetics, University of Sydney, 1971

Executive Diploma Business Planning, Enterprise Workshop, 1994

Diploma, Australian Institute Company Director's Course (University of New England), 1995

Certificate in Photography, Sydney Technical College 1967

Certificate III in Broadcasting (Radio), Radio 101.5, University of Adelaide, 2002

• Understanding the critical changes that underlie ageing, especially with relevance to reproduction and cancer.
• The effect of nutrition and lifestyle on health (especially reproductive health and ageing), stress and intellectual performance.
• The interaction of genes and chromosomes (both inherited genetic information and genetic damage acquired through exposures to chemicals and radiation) with the environment/lifestyle in health and disease. I am particularly interested in identifying avoidable occupational exposures.

Ford (2010) Saturated fatty acid metabolism is key link between cell division, cancer and senescence in cellular and whole organism aging. AGE (J American Aging Assocn) - 10.1007/s11357-009-9128

Ford JH & Tavendale R (2010) Analysis of fatty acids in early mid-life in fertile women: implications for reproductive decline and other chronic health problems. Am J Hum Biol 22 (1): 134-136

Books & Edited books

Joint Editor of Special Issue of Mutation Research in Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis vol. 396/1,2 “Overlap between Mutagens and Teratogens”, Guest Editors: LR Ferguson, JH Ford & JB Bishop (1997)

Joint Editor of Special issue of Cytobios, Vol 43, Nos. 172-174S “Chromosomes in Division” Guest Editors: JH Ford & GB Peters (1985)

Book: Ford JH: "Build sperm with attitude", 2006, Environmental & Genetic Solutions

Book: Ford JH: "G-L-O-W: Principles of Healthy Ageing", 2001, Environmental & Genetic Solutions

Book: Ford JH: “it takes two: reproducing naturally to-day", 1997, Environmental & Genetic Solutions

I am able to provide media comment in the following areas of expertise:

Discipline: health sciences

• Genetics
• Genes and Lifestyle
• Research education
• Chemical toxicity
• Infertility and Miscarriage
• Age and ageing