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Professor Mark Cooper
Professor

Mark Cooper

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 62778

Overview

Background

Professor Mark Cooper is Chair of Prediction Based Crop Improvement at The University of Queensland, and a global leader in quantitative genetics and plant breeding. His work involves integrating genomic prediction and crop growth models into an ‘end to end’ framework for crop improvement.

Professor Cooper has pioneered the development of novel genetic modelling methodologies, based on gene networks, to study important properties of quantitative traits in biology, and demonstrated how this new genetic modelling framework can be successfully used in plant breeding to improve prediction of important traits under the influences of selection. Professor Cooper’s work at DuPont Pioneer on drought adaptation in one of the largest maize breeding programs in the world led to the AQUAmax hybrids that presently cover millions of hectares worldwide.

A quantitative geneticist by training, Professor Cooper spent 20 years working with industry in the United States and as CEO of his own consultancy firm Zenrun42, before returning to UQ to build upon the critical mass of predictive agricultural expertise in QAAFI and the wider university.

Availability

Professor Mark Cooper is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Agricultural Science, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy of Agriculture, The University of Queensland
  • Graduate Certificate in Education, The University of Queensland

Works

Search Professor Mark Cooper’s works on UQ eSpace

304 works between 1992 and 2024

1 - 20 of 304 works

2024

Other Outputs

Improvements in prediction performance of ensemble approaches for genomic prediction in crop breeding

Tomura, Shunichiro, Cooper, Mark and Powell, Owen (2024). Improvements in prediction performance of ensemble approaches for genomic prediction in crop breeding. doi: 10.1101/2024.09.06.611589

Improvements in prediction performance of ensemble approaches for genomic prediction in crop breeding

2024

Conference Publication

Prediction of non-additive genetic effects with hierarchical genomic prediction models

Powell, Owen, McLean, Greg, Brider, Jason, Saddigh, Joe, Technow, Frank, Tang, Tom, Totir, Radu, Messina, Carlos D., Hammer, Graeme and Cooper, Mark (2024). Prediction of non-additive genetic effects with hierarchical genomic prediction models. International Conference of Quantitative Genetics (ICQG) 7, Vienna, Austria, 22-26 July 2024. doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.26425735.v1

Prediction of non-additive genetic effects with hierarchical genomic prediction models

2024

Other Outputs

Molecular Breeding Methods

Cooper, Mark, Messina, Carlos, Technow, Frank and Totir, Radu (2024). Molecular Breeding Methods. 11985930.

Molecular Breeding Methods

2024

Journal Article

Methods for evaluating effects of transgenes for quantitative traits

Linares, Julien F., Coles, Nathan D., Mo, Hua, Habben, Jeffrey E., Humbert, Sabrina, Messina, Carlos, Tang, Tom, Cooper, Mark, Gho, Carla, Carrasco, Ricardo, Carter, Javier, Flounders, Jillian Wicher and Brummer, E. Charles (2024). Methods for evaluating effects of transgenes for quantitative traits. Crop Science, 64 (1), 141-148. doi: 10.1002/csc2.21141

Methods for evaluating effects of transgenes for quantitative traits

2024

Journal Article

Contrasting leaf‐scale photosynthetic low‐light response and its temperature dependency are key to differences in crop‐scale radiation use efficiency

Wu, Alex, Truong, Sandra Huynh, McCormick, Ryan, van Oosterom, Erik J., Messina, Carlos D., Cooper, Mark and Hammer, Graeme L. (2024). Contrasting leaf‐scale photosynthetic low‐light response and its temperature dependency are key to differences in crop‐scale radiation use efficiency. New Phytologist, 241 (6), 2435-2447. doi: 10.1111/nph.19537

Contrasting leaf‐scale photosynthetic low‐light response and its temperature dependency are key to differences in crop‐scale radiation use efficiency

2024

Book Chapter

Transforming food production with AI

Cooper, Mark, Hickey, Lee, Jiang, Xianxian, La Fata, Giorgio, Lomas, Harold, Miller, Tim, O’Brien, Susan, Patel, Parth and Tomarchio, Samuel (2024). Transforming food production with AI. Food AI: A game changer for Australia’s food and beverage sector. (pp. 5-13) edited by Janet R. McColl-Kennedy and Damian Hine. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland, Australia's Food and Beverage Accelerator (FaBA).

Transforming food production with AI

2023

Conference Publication

APSIM-WGP: a software platform to predict crop GxExM interactions

Powell, Owen, McLean, Greg, Brider, Jason, Hammer, Graeme and Cooper, Mark (2023). APSIM-WGP: a software platform to predict crop GxExM interactions. GxExM Symposium II, Gainesville, FL USA, 6-7 November 2023.

APSIM-WGP: a software platform to predict crop GxExM interactions

2023

Journal Article

Genetic modification can improve crop yields — but stop overselling it

Khaipho-Burch, Merritt, Cooper, Mark, Crossa, Jose, de Leon, Natalia, Holland, James, Lewis, Ramsey, McCouch, Susan, Murray, Seth C., Rabbi, Ismail, Ronald, Pamela, Ross-Ibarra, Jeffrey, Weigel, Detlef and Buckler, Edward S. (2023). Genetic modification can improve crop yields — but stop overselling it. Nature, 621 (7979), 470-473. doi: 10.1038/d41586-023-02895-w

Genetic modification can improve crop yields — but stop overselling it

2023

Other Outputs

Crop improvement can accelerate agriculture adaptation to societal demands and climate change

Messina, Carlos D., Borras, Lucas, Tang, Tom and Cooper, Mark (2023). Crop improvement can accelerate agriculture adaptation to societal demands and climate change.

Crop improvement can accelerate agriculture adaptation to societal demands and climate change

2023

Journal Article

Two decades of harnessing standing genetic variation for physiological traits to improve drought tolerance in maize

Messina, Carlos D., Gho, Carla, Hammer, Graeme L., Tang, Tom and Cooper, Mark (2023). Two decades of harnessing standing genetic variation for physiological traits to improve drought tolerance in maize. Journal of Experimental Botany, 74 (16), 4847-4861. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erad231

Two decades of harnessing standing genetic variation for physiological traits to improve drought tolerance in maize

2023

Other Outputs

In Silico Sorghum GxExM Dataset For Prediction Algorithm Comparisons

Owen Powell, Greg McLean, Jason Brider, Mark Cooper and Graeme Hammer (2023). In Silico Sorghum GxExM Dataset For Prediction Algorithm Comparisons. figShare. (Dataset) doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.23789685.v2

In Silico Sorghum GxExM Dataset For Prediction Algorithm Comparisons

2023

Conference Publication

Random Forest Importance Diagnostics can Capture Quantitative Genetic Properties of Markers for Genomic Prediction

Tomura, Shunichiro, Powell, Owen and Cooper, Mark (2023). Random Forest Importance Diagnostics can Capture Quantitative Genetic Properties of Markers for Genomic Prediction. International Congress of Genetics, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 16-21 July 2023. figShare. doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.24211230.v1

Random Forest Importance Diagnostics can Capture Quantitative Genetic Properties of Markers for Genomic Prediction

2023

Other Outputs

Stochastic Simulation of Divergent Selection Experiment on a Gene-Phenotype Network: A Case Study of Shoot Branching in Plants

Powell, Owen and Cooper, Mark (2023). Stochastic Simulation of Divergent Selection Experiment on a Gene-Phenotype Network: A Case Study of Shoot Branching in Plants. figShare. (Dataset) doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.23590083

Stochastic Simulation of Divergent Selection Experiment on a Gene-Phenotype Network: A Case Study of Shoot Branching in Plants

2023

Conference Publication

GPU can Accelerate the Prediction of Complex Phenotypes

Tomura, Shunichiro, Powell, Owen and Cooper, Mark (2023). GPU can Accelerate the Prediction of Complex Phenotypes. Australasian Leadership Computing Symposium, Canberra, ACT Australia, 14-16 June 2023. doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.24484831.v1

GPU can Accelerate the Prediction of Complex Phenotypes

2023

Journal Article

Inclusive collaboration across plant physiology and genomics: Now is the time!

Interdisciplinary Plant Science Consortium and Cooper, Mark (2023). Inclusive collaboration across plant physiology and genomics: Now is the time!. Plant Direct, 7 (5) e493. doi: 10.1002/pld3.493

Inclusive collaboration across plant physiology and genomics: Now is the time!

2023

Book Chapter

Incorporating genetics into crop models to identify new phenotypes adapted to climate change

Messina, Carlos D. and Cooper, Mark (2023). Incorporating genetics into crop models to identify new phenotypes adapted to climate change. Modelling climate change impacts on agricultural systems. (pp. 75-104) Cambridge, United Kingdom: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing. doi: 10.19103/AS.2022.0115.04

Incorporating genetics into crop models to identify new phenotypes adapted to climate change

2023

Other Outputs

Root system growth and function response to soil temperature in maize (Zea mays L.)

Clark, Randy, Chamberlain, Dan, Diepenbrock, Christine, Cooper, Mark and Messina, Carlos D. (2023). Root system growth and function response to soil temperature in maize (Zea mays L.).

Root system growth and function response to soil temperature in maize (Zea mays L.)

2023

Journal Article

Extending the breeder’s equation to take aim at the target population of environments

Cooper, Mark, Powell, Owen, Gho Brito, Carla, Tang, Tom and Messina, Carlos (2023). Extending the breeder’s equation to take aim at the target population of environments. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14 1129591, 1-10. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1129591

Extending the breeder’s equation to take aim at the target population of environments

2023

Journal Article

Transgene by germplasm interactions can impact transgene evaluation

Linares, Julien F., Coles, Nathan D., Mo, Hua, Habben, Jeff E., Humbert, Sabrina, Messina, Carlos, Tang, Tom, Cooper, Mark, Gho, Carla, Carrasco, Ricardo, Carter, Javier, Flounders, Jillian Wicher and Brummer, E Charles (2023). Transgene by germplasm interactions can impact transgene evaluation. Crop Science, 63 (4), 1988-1997. doi: 10.1002/csc2.20939

Transgene by germplasm interactions can impact transgene evaluation

2023

Conference Publication

Hierarchical Gene-Phenotype Maps as a Framework to Predict GxExM Interactions

Powell, Owen, McLean, Greg, Brider, Jason, Technow, Frank, Tang, Tom, Messina, Carlos D., Hammer, Graeme and Cooper, Mark (2023). Hierarchical Gene-Phenotype Maps as a Framework to Predict GxExM Interactions. Quantitative Genetics and Genomics Gordon Research Conference, Ventura, CA, United States, 12-17 February 2023.

Hierarchical Gene-Phenotype Maps as a Framework to Predict GxExM Interactions

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2029
    ARC Training Centre in Predictive Breeding for Agricultural Futures
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    Enhancing Genomic Prediction for Changing Environments in Wheat
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2027
    Reducing lodging risk in sorghum to increase grower confidence and profitability
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2027
    ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture
    ARC Centres of Excellence
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2022
    Crop Growth Modeling
    BASF Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Screening of diverse barley germplasm for rapid discovery and utilisation of novel disease resistance in barley using R-HapSelect : A haplotype-based toolkit
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2024
    Post-doctoral Fellowship: Enhancing Genomic prediction for Sorghum to deal with genotype-by-environment interactions for yield
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2003
    Wheat Improvement in Sichuan Province; Application of Modern Breeding Technologies
    University of Southern Queensland
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Travel Grant 10 staff to attend the 9th Australian Breeders Assembly Toowoomba September 1999
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2005
    A Strategic framework to model CIMMYT wheat breeding programs with application to Australia
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2002
    Utilization of QU-GENE software to investigate the integration of marker-assisted selection strategies into plant breeding programs
    Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc.
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Travel Grant- 7 researchers to attend the 11th Australian Plant Breeding Conference, Adelaide April 1999
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Analysis of sugarcane productivity trends in the wet tropics at a district level
    Sugar Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2002
    Selection to accomodate genotype-by-environment interactions in the Northern Wheat Improvement Program.
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Travel grant for Dr M Cooper to attend the 9th International Wheat Genetics Symposium, Saskatoon, Canada
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Travel grant for Ms N Jensen to attend the 9th International Wheat Genetics Symposium, Saskatoon, Canada
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 2000
    The crop improvement of grain sorghum in Australia - Improving transpiration efficiency in sorghum.
    Queensland Department Primary Industries
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 1999
    Overcoming production constraints to sorghum in rainfed environments in India and Australia.
    Queensland Department Primary Industries
    Open grant
  • 1996
    To attend, present papers and participate in the 8th Australian Wheat Breed Assembly to be held in Canberra in 1996 - for several people.
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 2000
    Plant breeding strategies for rainfed lowland rice in Northeast Thailand and Laos.
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 2001
    Germplasm enhancement program to develop high yield and high protein parents for the northern region wheat breeding programs
    Queensland Department Primary Industries
    Open grant
  • 1994 - 1999
    Drought resistance in rice.
    Rockefeller Foundation, The
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor Mark Cooper is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

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communications@uq.edu.au