Professor Rajeev Varshney, Professor Una Ryan, Professor GM Shafiullah and Associate Professor Tobias Ide have each been named leaders in their respective fields, reflecting Murdoch’s commitment to world class research and innovation. 

Researchers were ranked using a rigorous, data-driven methodology that assessed citation counts from papers published in the top 20 journals of each discipline over the past five years. 

Professor Rajeev Varshney, Director of Murdoch University's Centre for Crop and Food Innovation, was recognised in Botany. 

 A global leader in genome sequencing and molecular breeding, his work advances food security and sustainable agriculture worldwide. 

Professor Varshney said “it’s an immense honour to be listed as the nation's top plant scientist in the Australian Research Magazine’s Top 250 Researchers in 2026 list”. 

“At CCFI, our focus is to deliver translational research that supports the needs of breeders, growers and consumers, so I’m thrilled that our work has been recognised for its quality and impact." 

“My sincere thanks to my research team, collaborators, and investors for their continued support. Together, we’re working toward a more sustainable, productive, and equitable agricultural sector in Australia and abroad.” 

Professor Una Ryan, from Murdoch’s Health Futures Institute, was honoured in Tropical Medicine & Parasitology. 

 Her internationally acclaimed research focuses on enteric parasites such as Cryptosporidium and blood-borne parasites like Trypanosomes. 

Professor GM Shafiullah, from the School of Engineering and Energy, was recognised in Sustainable Energy.  

His research addresses renewable energy, microgrids, green hydrogen, the energy transition, and sustainability in the energy sector. 

Associate Professor Tobias Ide, from the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and Harry Butler Institute, was named in the field of Diplomacy & International Relations for his work on the intersections of climate change, natural resources and environmental politics. 

Associate Professor Ide said he was "very honoured" to be named as the country's leading researched in the field.

"This would have been impossible without the great support from my colleagues at Murdoch University," he said.

"In a time of growing geopolitical tensions, a record number of wars around the world, and runaway climate change, gaining a better understanding of international relations is a key task for research."

Beyond individual accolades, Murdoch University earned distinction as the leading institution in Life and Earth Sciences, specifically in the field of Proteomics, Peptides, and Amino Acids. 

Peter Eastwood, Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation said he was very pleased with the result.

"I am immensely proud of our researchers whose exceptional work has earned them a place among Australia’s Top 250," he said.