Meet Tiarna Scerri: evoke^AG. Groundbreaker with an innovative approach to animal health

Presented as a Q&A, this conversation unpacks Tiarna’s early influences, groundbreaking research, and what she hopes to bring to the evoke^AG. Groundbreaker program.

Where does your interest in agriculture come from? 

The formative experience for me was at high school. Growing up on the outskirts of western Sydney animals had always been around but attending Hurlstone Agricultural High School opened my eyes to what was possible. Agriculture was promoted, there was a fully functioning dairy, and as an extra-curricular activity I was involved with cattle showing – I even had my own calf to train.  After that I got involved with the Camden Show Society, first taking part in the showgirl competition, then playing a greater role in the organising of the event as a committee member. 

From there my passion for agriculture, dairy cows in particular, snowballed and I studied agricultural science at university. I’ve also gained a law degree because I’d realised that there’s a lot of regulatory and policy issues around agriculture and I believe that the industry needs people who can understand agriculture and the law. 

In terms of the sciences, I’ve always really been interested in genetics. If I see a problem, I want it fixed. If there’s an issue that I feel strongly about then I’ll inevitably want to get involved and that’s what’s happened with my PhD research. 

Your research is designing antibiotic alternatives for mastitis in dairy cows, why is this important? 

Mastitis is a key animal health issue in dairy cows, estimated to cost the Australian industry $150 million each year. Treatment and control accounts for more than two thirds of the antimicrobial use on farms – that has impacts on farm productivity, costs for farmers and we know antimicrobial resistance is a global issue. 

My PhD is trying to design a better treatment for mastitis, in light of the emergence of antibiotic resistance. The aim of the treatment is to neutralise the bacteria that caused mastitis, and it needs to be something that’s effective but can also be practically delivered and used by a farmer.  

I believe there also needs to be increased awareness around antimicrobial resistance and the impact it’s having across the world. We need to take a long-term, sustainable view because technology solutions will only work for a certain amount of time before there’s a need to re-engineer them. 

What advice do you have for innovators and for young women in STEMM or agriculture? 

In my experience, the research and academic space is very forward thinking in terms of women in agriculture and STEMM.  

I believe it’s always better to ask for opportunities rather than assume something is not there. Most of the things that have become huge parts of my life, like a PhD, have come from me asking saying ‘I’m really interested in that, are there any opportunities for me to help out’. I guess is the upshot of that is that you don’t know what’s possible until you look. 

Away from the science lab you’re a salsa dancer, what does slipping on your dancing shoes bring to your life? 

I’m not a professional but it’s something I got into during my undergraduate studies and promptly fell in love with it. You need to have a work life balance and for me it’s just awesome to have something like dancing to de-stress at the end of the day, see friends, talk, and not have to use your brain. 

What do you want to achieve as part of the evokeAG. Groundbreaker program? 

I want to be able to communicate my work connect with other innovators in the Australian agricultural space. 

evoke^AG. is a great event and I can’t wait to be part of it in 2026.