Plant Biosecurity experts
Murdoch University works on the frontline of safeguarding Australia's crops against disease. Our researchers are protecting Australia's food security and providing better export opportunities for farmers.
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Professor Shashi SharmaDr Shashi Sharma is an expert in policy, regulation and science relating to biosecurity risk management, market access and trade and agriculture protection. He has extensive first-hand experience of working in several countries in Asia and Africa, the UK and the USA. He is a strong advocate of biosecurity as an integral part of global food security and has been internationally speaking on biosecurity and food security issues for a number of years. He is former Director, Plant Biosecurity at the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia, ex-Head and Professor, Division of Nematology at the Indian Agriculture Research Institute and Scientist at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics. He has authored/co-authored over 200 publications, including two books. Presently he is Leader of the Safeguarding Trade program of Australia’s Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre. He sits on several national and international committees and has until recently served as Chairman of three industry committees in Western Australia – the Grains Industry Biosecurity Committee, the Horticulture Industry Biosecurity Committee and the Bee Industry Consultative Committee. |
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Professor Michael JonesPlant biotechnology and genetic manipulation He specialises in plant biotechnology, biosecurity, genetically modified plants and the molecular basis of interactions between plants and plant pathogens. He heads the Plant Biotechnology Research Group with about 15 researchers. His expertise includes molecular diagnostics and marker-assisted breeding, with current major contributions in plant virology and host-pathogen interactions of plant parasitic nematodes. In recent work his group has used new ‘short read’ nucleic acid sequencing technologies coupled with sequence assembly and analysis to identify 50 plant viruses either new to Australia or to science. In the plant nematology, his group has sequenced the transcriptomes of three plant parasitic nematodes, and used this information to develop GM plants with novel resistance to economically important nematodes. He has published over 230 research articles, including co-authoring two books. As a member of the Commonwealth Government ‘Australian Biotechnology Advisory Council’ (ABAC, 2003-2008)), he contributed to advising government ministers on national biotechnology policy. He has also participated in many debates on GM crops. |
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Dr Kirsty BaylissPlant biosecurity and crop disease, development of new plant varieties Dr Kirsty Bayliss is a plant pathologist and has worked on plant diseases affecting many crops including pastures, legumes and oilseeds as well as native ecosystems and tree plantations. Dr Bayliss has also worked in plant tissue culture and plant biotechnology, specifically in the production of new varieties of plants. In her current role she is responsible for coordinating the education and training program within the Cooperative Research Centre for National Plant Biosecurity. Dr Bayliss is also a member of the international QUADs biosecurity education program, aimed at developing international standards for teaching biosecurity. Based at Murdoch University, she lectures in biosecurity, plant pathology and plant biotechnology and is currently the Academic Chair for courses in biosecurity. |
To reach these experts for media enquiries, contact:
| Rob Payne Media & Communications Coordinator Phone: 08 9360 2491 r.payne@murdoch.edu.au |
Candice Barnes Media & Communications Coordinator Phone: 08 9360 2474 c.barnes@murdoch.edu.au |
Pepi Smyth Media & Communications Coordinator Phone: 08 9360 1289 p.smyth@murdoch.edu.au |
For all other enquiries, please ring reception on 08 9360 6000.
