Murdoch University researchers working at the cutting edge of food, soil and health sciences are among the world’s most influential, according to the Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers 2022 list published yesterday.
Two researchers from the University’s Health Futures Institute, who have dedicated their careers to understanding and treating numerous global diseases through precision medicine and personalised therapies, were listed.
And two innovators from the Food Futures Institute rounded off the honours: an agricultural scientist specialising in food genetics and security, and a soil researcher who is renowned for his work on plant-soil-microbe interactions.
Australia had the fifth-largest number of highly cited researchers with 337 scientists, or 4.7%, making the cut.
This year’s highly cited list recognised the following Murdoch University Professors:
- Director of the Centre for Crop and Food Innovation, Professor Rajeev Varshney, for his significant contributions, to genomics research and crop and food innovations in Australia and in international agriculture.
- Director of Health Futures Institute’s Centre for Computational and Systems Medicine, Professor Elaine Holmes, for her pivotal role in gaining a deeper understanding of age-associated changes in gut bacteria composition which could lead the way to preventative therapies and individualised treatments.
- Pro Vice Chancellor of the Health Futures Institute, Professor Jeremy Nicholson, for his cutting-edge work in phenomics to transform how long and how well people live.
- Professor of Soil and Environmental Science, Professor Davey Jones, for research into nutrients and human pathogen behaviour in water-food-soil-plant-microbial systems.
All four Murdoch researchers have made the Clarivate list over multiple years, demonstrating the depth, breadth and consistency of their influence in their fields of research.
The yearly publication selects the top 10 global challenges and analyses the top researchers or institutes who are best placed to make a difference in their research field.
Professor Nicholson and Professor Varshney were also named by global science research portal Research.com as one of the world’s top scientists in 2022.
Vice Chancellor Andrew Deeks said all four Murdoch scientists were working at the very top of their fields of expertise.
“Murdoch’s translational research is focused on finding solutions to some of our biggest global challenges – especially those that threaten our food, health and environmental systems,” he said.
To have some of the world’s leading scientists working on life-changing discoveries for these challenges right here in Western Australia, and now named in the top 1%, is an outstanding achievement.”
Professor Deeks said the recognition was another reminder of the invaluable work happening at Murdoch’s four research institutes, making a tangible difference in the fields of food, health, the environment, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing.
“From the new WA food precinct, COVID-19 research, the development of sustainable concrete and the co-designing of a culturally appropriate health system, this valuable and rewarding work is helping to solve issues that transcend borders,” he said.
Interim Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation, Professor Peter Davies, congratulated the researchers for their hard work and innovations, and for inspiring the next generation of scientists.
“Not only do esteemed listings like this highlight the significant impact our scientists have on our society, but it also encourages the community to get involved and learn more about how our scientists are finding solutions to global issues,” he said.
This year, Clarivate partnered with Retraction Watch to extend the qualitative analysis to address increasing concerns over potential misconduct, including plagiarism, image manipulation, and fake peer review.