For more than 25 years, Jon has witnessed the impact of infectious diseases on koala populations throughout Queensland and New South Wales. He is heavily involved in research collaborations with Australian universities investigating diseases in koalas.

As a veterinarian for the late Steve Irwin, Jon established the Australian Wildlife Hospital (now the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital) in 2003. He served as the Senior Wildlife Veterinarian at the Queensland RSPCA from 2009 to 2011 and held roles as a consulting and employed veterinarian at Dreamworld from 1992 to 2003. He completed his PhD thesis on retroviruses in koalas, publishing the full genetic sequence of the koala retrovirus in 2000.

Jon has been a member of various government steering committees contributing to the management and outcomes for koalas. He is the principal author of the draft Code of Practice for the Welfare of Wild Animals Affected by Land-clearing and other Habitat Impacts, as well as Wildlife Spotter/Catchers.

He has published over 122 scientific papers on koala health and developed various documents for the training of veterinarians and biologists on koalas.

• Robbins, A., Loader., A., Hanger, J. and de Villiers, D. (2019) Predation by carpet pythons (Morelia spilota) is an important cause of mortality in a free-living koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population in South East Queensland, Australian Veterinary Journal 97: 351-356.
• Gentle M, Allen B, Oakey J, Speed J, Harriott L, Loader J, Robbins A, de Villiers D, Hanger J. (2019) Genetic sampling identifies canid predators of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in peri-urban areas. Landscape and Urban Planning 190: 103591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2019.103591
• Robbins A, Loader J, Timms P, Hanger J. (2018) Optimising the short and long-term clinical outcomes for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) during treatment for chlamydial infection and disease. PLoS ONE 13(12): e0209679. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209679 
• Russell, I., Timms, P., Hanger, J., Loader, J., Gillett, A. and Waugh, C.A. (2018) Prevalence of Chlamydia pecorum in Juvenile Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) and Evidence for Protection from Infection via Maternal Immunization. Journal of wildlife diseases 54.
• Phillips S, Robbins A, Loader J, Hanger J, Booth R, Jelocnik M, Polkinghorne A, Timms P. (2018) Chlamydia pecorum gastrointestinal tract infection associations with urogenital tract infections in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). PLoS ONE 13(11): e0206471. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0206471
• Beyer, H.L., Stigner, M., de Villiers, D., Loader, J., Robbins, A., Forbes, N. and Hanger J. (2018) Management of multiple threats achieves meaningful koala conservation outcomes. Journal of Applied Ecology, 1-10.
• Waugh, C.A., Hanger, J., Loader, J., King, A., Hobbs, M., Johnson, R. and Timms, P. (2017) Infection with koala retrovirus subgroup B (KoRV-B), but not KoRV-A, is associated with chlamydial disease in free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), Scientific Reports, 7:1-11.
• Waugh, C., Khan, S.A., Carver, S., Hanger, J., Loader, J., Polkinghorne, A., Beagley, K. and Timms, P. (2016) A Prototype Recombinant-Protein Based Chlamydia pecorum Vaccine Results in Reduced Chlamydial Burden and Less Clinical Disease in Free-Ranging Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), PLoS ONE, 11: 1-9.
• Khan, S.A., Polkinghorne, A., Waugh, C., Hanger, J., Loader, J., Beagley, K. and Timms, P. (2015) Humoral immune responses in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) either naturally infected with Chlamydia pecorum or following administration of a recombinant chlamydial major outer  membrane protein vaccine, Vaccine, 34: 775–782.
• Craig, A.P., Hanger, J., Loader, J., Ellis, W.A.H., Callaghan, J., Dexter, C., Jones, D., Beagley, K.W., Timms, P. and Wilson, D.P. (2014) A 5-year Chlamydia vaccination programme could reverse disease-related koala population decline: Predictions from a mathematical model using field data. Vaccine, 32: 4163-4170.
• Hanger, J. and Loader, J. (2014) Disease in wild koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) with possible koala retrovirus KoRV. In The Koala and its Retroviruses: Implications for Sustainability and Survival, ed. Geoffrey W. Pye, Rebecca N. Johnson and Alex D. Greenwood. Technical Reports of the Australian Museum, Online 24: 19–29.
• Simmons, G., Meers, J., Clarke, D, Young, P.R., Jones, K., Hanger, J.J., Loader, J. and McKee, J. (2014) The origins and ecological impact of koala retrovirus. In The Koala and its Retroviruses: Implications for Sustainability and Survival, ed. Geoffrey W. Pye, Rebecca N. Johnson and Alex D. Greenwood. Technical Reports of the Australian Museum, Online 24: 31–33.
• Burach, F., Pospischil, A., Hanger, J., Loader, J., Pillonel, T., Greub, G. and Borel, N.  (2014) Chlamydiaceae and Chlamydia-like organisms in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)—Organ distribution and histopathological findings. Veterinary Microbiology (in press).
• Hanger, J., Loader, J., Wan, C., Beagley, K.W., Timms, P. and Polkinghorne, A. (2013) Comparison of antigen detection and quantitative PCR in the detection of chlamydial infection in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), The Veterinary Journal, 195: 391-393.
• Kollipara, A., George, C., Hanger, J., Loader, J., Polkinghorne, A., Beagley, K. and Timms, P. (2011) Vaccination of healthy and diseased koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) with a Chlamydia pecorum multi-subunit vaccine: Evaluation of immunity and pathology, Vaccine, 30:1875-1885.
• Govendir, M., Hanger, J., Loader, J.J., Kimble, B., Griffith, J.E., Black, L.A., Krockenberger, M.B. and Higgins, D.P. (2011) Plasma concentrations of chloramphenicol after subcutaneous administration to koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) with chlamydiosis, Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 35: 147-154.
• Wan, C., Loader, J., Hanger, J., Beagley, K.W., Timms , P. and Polkinghorne, A. (2011) Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction to correlate Chlamydia pecorum infectious load with ocular, urinary and reproductive tract disease in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), Australian Veterinary Journal, 89: 409-412.
• Hanger, J. and Loader, J. (2009) Infectious Disease in Koalas: Implications for Conservation, Proceedings of Lismore Koala Conference 22 May 2009.

• Robbins, A., Loader., A., Hanger, J. and de Villiers, D. (2019) Predation by carpet pythons (Morelia spilota) is an important cause of mortality in a free-living koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population in South East Queensland, Australian Veterinary Journal 97: 351-356.
• Gentle M, Allen B, Oakey J, Speed J, Harriott L, Loader J, Robbins A, de Villiers D, Hanger J. (2019) Genetic sampling identifies canid predators of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in peri-urban areas. Landscape and Urban Planning 190: 103591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2019.103591
• Robbins A, Loader J, Timms P, Hanger J. (2018) Optimising the short and long-term clinical outcomes for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) during treatment for chlamydial infection and disease. PLoS ONE 13(12): e0209679. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0209679 
• Russell, I., Timms, P., Hanger, J., Loader, J., Gillett, A. and Waugh, C.A. (2018) Prevalence of Chlamydia pecorum in Juvenile Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) and Evidence for Protection from Infection via Maternal Immunization. Journal of wildlife diseases 54.
• Phillips S, Robbins A, Loader J, Hanger J, Booth R, Jelocnik M, Polkinghorne A, Timms P. (2018) Chlamydia pecorum gastrointestinal tract infection associations with urogenital tract infections in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). PLoS ONE 13(11): e0206471. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0206471
• Beyer, H.L., Stigner, M., de Villiers, D., Loader, J., Robbins, A., Forbes, N. and Hanger J. (2018) Management of multiple threats achieves meaningful koala conservation outcomes. Journal of Applied Ecology, 1-10.

In 2022, Michael was recognised with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his service to the community through a range of roles with some of Australia’s premier charities.

Over 30 years, he has launched The Smith Family in Queensland, raised millions for Surf Life Savers, started an RSPCA animal care campus, and founded the Wildlife Warriors at Australia Zoo. He also played a pivotal role in raising funds for medical research as the CEO of The Common Good at Prince Charles Hospital Foundation in Chermside.

• Founded The Smith Family in Queensland, laying the cornerstone of its legacy.
• Played a pivotal role as a committee member in launching the Learning for Life program nationwide.
• Spearheaded the nationwide implementation of the Surf Life Saving Foundation, optimising its reach and impact.
• Negotiated sponsorship deals and media rights for Surf Life Saving, resulting in record-breaking revenues, marking a historic achievement for the organisation.
• Served as the inaugural CEO of Wildlife Warriors, catalysing the establishment of the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, a leading service provider for wildlife conservation.
• Galvanised increased funding for medical research in heart disease, lung disease, and dementia, catalysing breakthrough treatments and diagnostic innovations that have revolutionised patient care and outcomes.

• Order of Australia Medal (OAM) 2022
• Australia Day Awards Key Note Speaker (Wagga Wagga and Brisbane)
• Golden Key Honours Society (Honorary Membership) 

• Santamaria F, Schlagloth R, Valenza L, Palme R, de Villiers D and Henning J. 2023. The effect of disease and injury on Faecal Cortisol Metabolites as an indicator of stress in wild hospitalised koalas, endangered Australian marsupials. Veterinary Sciences doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10010065
• Hohwieler KR, de Villiers D, Cristescu RH and Frere CH. 2022. Genetic erosion detected in a specialist mammal living in a fast-developing environment. Conservation Science and Practice DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12738
• Gentle M, Allen BL, Oakey J, Speed J, Loader J, Robbins A, de Villiers D and Hanger J. 2019.Genetic sampling identifies canid predators of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in peri- urban areas. Landscape and Urban Planning 190, doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2019.103591.
• Beyer HL, de Villiers D, Loader J, Robbins A, Stigner M, Forbes N and Hanger J. 2018. Management of multiple threats achieves meaningful koala conservation outcomes. Journal of Applied Ecology 55, 1966-1975.
• Adams-Hosking C, McBride MF, Baxter G, Burgman M, de Villiers D, Kavanagh R, Lawler I, Lunney D, Melzer A, Menkhorst P, Molsher R, Moore BD, Phalen D, Rhodes JR, Todd C, Whisson D, and McAlpine CA. 2016. Use of expert knowledge to elicit population trends for the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). Diversity and Distributions 22, 249-262.
• de Oliveira SM, Murray PJ, de Villiers DL and Baxter GS. 2013. Ecology and movement of urban koalas adjacent to linear infrastructure in coastal south-east Queensland. Australian Mammalogy 36: 45-54.
• Rhodes JR, Ng CF, de Villiers DL, Preece HJ, McAlpine CA and Possingham HP. 2011. Using integrated population modelling to quantify the implications of multiple threatening processes for a rapidly declining population. Biological Conservation 144, 1081-1088.
• Ellis W, Bercovitch F, FitzGibbon S, Melzer A, de Villiers D and Dique D. 2010 Koala birth seasonality and sex ratios across multiple sites in Queensland, Australia. Journal of Mammalogy 91, 177-182.
• Lee KE, Seddon, JM, Corley SW, Ellis WAH, Johnston SD, de Villiers DL, Preece HJ and Carrick FN 2009. Genetic variation and structuring in the threatened koala populations of Southeast Queensland. Conservation genetics 11, 2091-2103.
• Dique DS, Preece HJ, Thompson J and de Villiers DL. 2004. Determining the distribution and abundance of a regional koala population in south-east Queensland for conservation management. Wildlife Research 31, 109-117.
• Dique DS, Thompson J, Preece HJ, Penfold GC, de Villiers DL and LeslieRS. 2003. Koala mortality on roads in south-east Queensland: the koala speed zone trial. Wildlife Research 30, 419-426.
• Limpus Colin J, de Villiers Deidré L, de Villiers Michele A, Limpus Duncan J and Read Mark A. 2000. The Loggerhead turtle, Caretta caretta in Queensland: Feeding ecology in warm temperate waters. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 46: 631-645.