EQUIBREED NZ TEAM
Lee Morris
Director
BVSC DVSC DIPACT, REGISTERED SPECIALIST IN VETERINARY REPRODUCTION
Lee graduated from The University of Sydney in 1992 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. After 2 years in rural veterinary practice in northern NSW, Australia she undertook a 3-year residency programme in Theriogenology at the University of Guelph in Canada during which time she also became a Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists in 1997, and then graduated with a Doctorate of Veterinary Science in 1998. Her DVSc thesis work encompassed in vitro studies (IVF) on the production of embryos and the assessment of male fertility.From 1998 to 2001 Lee was employed as the Senior Veterinary Research Scientist at the Equine Fertility Unit in Newmarket (UK) where she worked with Professor Twink Allen and developed the hysteroscopic (low dose) insemination procedure for horses. In 2001 Lee was the Senior Registrar at The University of Sydney from where she provided clinical reproductive services for horses and dogs and conducted research into sex-sorted semen.Lee has been in New Zealand since 2002 and is now the Specialist Equine Reproduction veterinarian at EquiBreed NZ Ltd. In 2004, she became a Registered Specialist in Veterinary Reproduction in Australasia.Her special interests include artificial insemination (AI), embryo transfer (ET), epididymal spermatozoa, hysteroscopy, equine laparoscopy, semen freezing technology, sex-sorted semen and challenging cases of mare or stallion infertility. Lee provides referral consultancy services to equine vet clinics in New Zealand and Australia. In 2019 Lee produced the first foal by ICSI in New Zealand.
In 2004, Lee was elected onto the committee for the International Symposium of Equine Reproduction (ISER) and in 2014 she was the local Chairperson for the ISER XI in 2014 in Hamilton, NZ.
Lee has been an Honorary Associate of The University of Sydney (Australia) and an Honorary Lecturer at The University of Waikato (NZ) in recognition of her contribution to research. She has lectured and provided clinical tuition to veterinary students at The University of Guelph (Canada), Cambridge University (UK), Massey University and The University of Sydney (Australia). She has been the industry supervisor of 5 MSc theses (Waikato University, New Zealand) and 2 PhD theses (The University of Sydney, Australia). Lee has published more than 30 peer-reviewed scientific papers, presented her research internationally and written chapters in the Veterinary Clinics of North America and two textbooks on Equine Reproduction.
Colleagues of EquiBreed NZ – bringing the world to New Zealand!
Prof Twink Allen CBE ScD FRCVS (UK) is a kiwi veterinarian, trained in Australia and rose to the top of the world of equine reproduction in the UK asthe Jim Joel Professor of Equine reproduction at the University of Cambridge and Director at the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Equine Fertility Unit, Newmarket, UK. Twinkis considered one of the God fathers of equine reproduction. He is a life-long friend, an inspiration and supporter of EquiBreed NZ. He is now based at Sharjah Equine Hospital in the UAE.
Dr Jenny Clulow (Aus) was Lee’s first PhD student in stallion sex-sorted semen. Jenny is now based with Scone Vet Hospital in Australia specialising in equine reproduction. Jenny has worked in Kentucky and is part of the collaboration team with Dr Zamira Gibb.
Dr Amber Clutton Brock (UK) worked with EquiBreed NZ during the 2009/10 season as our embryo transfer veterinarian. Amber had worked with Prof.Twink Allen in the UK and also in Argentina perfecting embryo transfer techniques. Amber now owns EquiBreed UK.
Dr James Crabtree (UK) worked with EquiBreed NZ during the 2010/11 season. James is a partner in an equine veterinary practice in the UK and his special interest in tricky reproductive cases was of great value to us.
Dr Zamira Gibb (Aus) was one of Lee’s PhD students at The University of Sydney studying sex-sorted semen. Zamira is now a research scientist with the famous Prof. John Aitken at the University of Newcastle. Zamira is a world leader in stallion fertility.
Dr Nicole Hoffman (Ger) worked with EquiBreed NZ during the 2008/9 season as our semen lab manager and then as our stallion vet in 2009/10. Nicole completed her Doctorate in semen freezing at Celle National Stud in Germany. She now owns an equine reproduction veterinary practice in Germany.
Dr Lisa Maclellan (Aus) is a long time friend and colleague who produced the first foal in the world by oocyte vitrification whilst at Colorado State University, USA. Lisa collaborated with EquiBreed on the embryo metabolism study.
Dr Shuji Peter Tazawa (Aus) visited EquiBreed NZ during the 2012/13 season. Pete has worked at Scone Equine Hospital in Australia and now operates EquiBreed Oz in Australia.
Dr Julia Weiss (Switzerland) is a veterinarian and embryologist who developed a super vitrification system for freezing large embryos that we now use at EquiBreed NZ. This technique has revolutionised embryo freezing. Julia has produced foals and human babies using ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection).
Dr Sandra Wilsher (UK) worked with EquiBreed NZ during the 2010/11 season and came back for more in 2015/16! Sandra is an embryologist and was our research project manager. Her skills in advanced reproductive techniques and her interest in pregnancy loss and placental development have added great value to our services.