Dr Tayler Catherine Kent

I am an Associate Lecturer in Human Pharmacology in the School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, where I also lead the Reproductive Toxicology Group.

I coordinate the school’s two pharmacology units, BMS317 Human Pharmacology and BMS205 Drugs in Society, and teach into BIO367 Forensic Toxicology and BMS103 Introduction to Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences.

My PhD focused on the pharmacology and toxicology of popular herbal 'fertility' supplements and the metabolic and functional changes they induce in spermatozoa and other male reproductive cells. This has obvious translational relevance to human health, to whom these supplements are heavily marketed (despite limited safety data and a hands-off regulatory system), but also to livestock fertility, as the addition of antioxidant-rich compounds to stored spermatozoa is becoming popular practice in assisted reproduction.

Post-PhD, I have continued this work to further our understanding of the oestrogenic (and other endocrine-disrupting) effects of these supplements, as well as other biochemical changes they may induce. Additionally, I have expanded this research to assess similar effects in oocytes.

My other research focuses include assessing other endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and their impacts on fertility; general pharmacology and toxicology of herbal medicines and supplements; and general reproductive biology research. I have collaborations with toxicology groups both within and outside of Murdoch, as well as with researchers in the School of Veterinary Medicine.

My work uses a combination of bio-analytical techniques including flow cytometry, mass spectrometry (including GC-MS and LC-MS), ELISA and computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA).

Please feel free to reach out to discuss research collaborations or DVM, Honours or HDR supervision!