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
2015
Journal Article
Soil water capture trends over 50 years of single-cross maize (Zea mays L.) breeding in the US corn-belt
Reyes, Andres, Messina, Carlos D., Hammer, Graeme L., Liu, Lu, van Oosterom, Erik, Lafitte, Renee and Cooper, Mark (2015). Soil water capture trends over 50 years of single-cross maize (Zea mays L.) breeding in the US corn-belt. Journal of Experimental Botany, 66 (22), 7339-7346. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erv430
2015
Other Outputs
Real-time process for targeting trait phenotyping of plant breeding experiments
Messina, Carlos, Wei, Jun, Dong, Zhanshan, Qing, Zhisheng, Laffont, Jean-Louis, Samples, Mitchell, Schussler, Jeffrey R., Graham, Geoffrey I., Loeffler, Carlos and Cooper, Mark (2015). Real-time process for targeting trait phenotyping of plant breeding experiments. 9107355.
2015
Journal Article
Limited-transpiration trait may increase maize drought tolerance in the US corn belt
Messina, Carlos D., Sinclair, Thomas R., Hammer, Graeme L., Curan, Dian, Thompson, Jason, Oler, Zac, Gho, Carla and Cooper, Mark (2015). Limited-transpiration trait may increase maize drought tolerance in the US corn belt. Agronomy Journal, 107 (6), 1978-1986. doi: 10.2134/agronj15.0016
2015
Other Outputs
Maize hybrid X13D099
Cooper, Mark and Verde Chifflet, Luis A. (2015). Maize hybrid X13D099. 9084408.
2015
Journal Article
Industry-scale evaluation of maize hybrids selected for increased yield in drought-stress conditions of the US corn belt
Gaffney, Jim, Schussler, Jeff, Loeffler, Carlos, Cai, Weiguo, Paszkiewicz, Steve, Messina, Carlos, Groeteke, Jeremy, Keaschall, Joe and Cooper, Mark (2015). Industry-scale evaluation of maize hybrids selected for increased yield in drought-stress conditions of the US corn belt. Crop Science, 55 (4), 1608-1618. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2014.09.0654
2015
Journal Article
Integrating crop growth models with whole genome prediction through approximate Bayesian computation
Technow, Frank, Messina, Carlos D., Totir, L. Radu and Cooper, Mark (2015). Integrating crop growth models with whole genome prediction through approximate Bayesian computation. PLoS One, 10 (6) e0130855, e0130855. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130855
2015
Other Outputs
Method and system for digital image analysis of ear traits
Hausmann, Neil Jonathan , Abadie, Tabare E., Cooper, Mark, Lafitte, Honor Renee and Schussler, Jeffrey R. (2015). Method and system for digital image analysis of ear traits. 9008409.
2015
Other Outputs
Maize hybrid X08B746
Barker, T. C., Carlone Jr., M. R. and Cooper, M. (2015). Maize hybrid X08B746. 8975491.
2015
Other Outputs
Maize hybrid X08C961
Cooper, Mark and Barker, Thomas Charles (2015). Maize hybrid X08C961. 8957289.
2015
Journal Article
Inhibitor screen for limited-transpiration trait among maize hybrids
Choudhary, Sunita, Sinclair, Thomas R., Messina, Carlos D., Cai, Weiguo, Warner, Dave and Cooper, Mark (2015). Inhibitor screen for limited-transpiration trait among maize hybrids. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 109, 161-167. doi: 10.1016/j.envexpbot.2014.07.015
2014
Other Outputs
Maize hybrid X08C980
Smalley, Matthew David, Carlone Jr, Mario Rosario, Fox, Russell L. and Cooper, Mark (2014). Maize hybrid X08C980. 8872005.
2014
Other Outputs
Maize hybrid X03C201
Barker, T. C., Smalley, M. D. and Cooper, M. (2014). Maize hybrid X03C201. 8809644.
2014
Other Outputs
Maize hybrid X13C726
Cooper, Mark, Kilgore-Norquest, Lora Lynn, Barker, Thomas Charles and Wardyn, Brandon Michael (2014). Maize hybrid X13C726. 8809646.
2014
Other Outputs
Maize hybrid X08C962
Cooper, Mark, Wilson, William Andrew and Lee, Travis J. (2014). Maize hybrid X08C962. 8754306.
2014
Other Outputs
Maize hybrid X08C908
Lee, Travis J., Kilgore-Norquest, Lora Lynn, Barker, Thomas Charles and Cooper, Mark (2014). Maize hybrid X08C908. 8742232.
2014
Other Outputs
Maize inbred PH1M3D
Cooper, Mark (2014). Maize inbred PH1M3D. 8742231.
2014
Other Outputs
Maize inbred PH1M3M
Cooper, Mark and Ross, Andrew Jon (2014). Maize inbred PH1M3M. 8735692.
2014
Journal Article
Hydraulic conductance of maize hybrids differing in transpiration response to vapor pressure deficit
Sunita, Choudhary, Sinclair, Thomas R., Messina, Carlos D. and Cooper, Mark (2014). Hydraulic conductance of maize hybrids differing in transpiration response to vapor pressure deficit. Crop Science, 54 (3), 1147-1152. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2013.05.0303
2014
Other Outputs
Maize hybrid X05B912
Grote, E. M., Wilson, W. A. and Cooper, M. (2014). Maize hybrid X05B912. 8686248.
2014
Journal Article
Predicting the future of plant breeding: complementing empirical evaluation with genetic prediction
Cooper, Mark, Messina, Carlos D., Podlich, Dean, Totir, L. Radu, Baumgarten, Andrew, Hausmann, Neil J., Wright, Deanne and Graham, Geoffrey (2014). Predicting the future of plant breeding: complementing empirical evaluation with genetic prediction. Crop and Pasture Science, 65 (4), 311-336. doi: 10.1071/cp14007
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Mark Cooper is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Phylogenomic and ecophysiological investigations of transferability of adaptation solutions within the Andropogoneae tribe
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Experimental investigation in Arabidopsis thaliana of realised selection trajectories for complex branching and flowering traits under the control of gene networks following application of genomic prediction methods.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Christine Beveridge, Dr Owen Powell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Assessment of machine learning methods to discover novel models of gene networks to improve genomic prediction for plant breeding
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr James Lefevre, Dr Owen Powell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Testing the branching model predictions using mutant perturbations of populations
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Yang Liu, Professor Christine Beveridge
-
Doctor Philosophy
Predicting Plant Success For Future Generations
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Owen Powell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Network biology of quantitative traits in sorghum
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Graeme Hammer, Professor Emma Mace, Dr Sofie Pearson, Professor David Jordan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Genomic prediction of lodging in sorghum
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Emma Mace, Dr Esinam Nancy Amuzu-Aweh, Professor David Jordan
Completed supervision
-
2004
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating quantitative genetic issues for a pedigree plant breeding program using computer simulation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Kaye Basford
-
2003
Master Agricultural Science
The inheritance of grain yield among Veery wheat lines under Qld environ.conditions.
Principal Advisor
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
THE CONTRIBUTION OF OSMOTIC ADJUSTMENT TO GRAIN YIELD IN SORGHUM PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENTS
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Graeme Hammer
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating envirotyping methodology to evaluate contributions of stay-green traits to wheat yield in Australian environments
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Karine Chenu, Professor Ben Hayes, Dr Kai Voss-Fels, Professor Lee Hickey
-
2005
Doctor Philosophy
SIMULATING THE IMPACT OF MARKER-ASSISTED SELECTION IN A WHEAT BREEDING PROGRAM
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Kaye Basford
-
2004
Doctor Philosophy
GENOTYPIC VARIATION IN SOYBEAN FOR STRATEGIES OF DROUGHT STRESS RESPONSE
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Kaye Basford
-
2004
Doctor Philosophy
AN EVALUATION OF MARKER ASSISTED SELECTION (MAS) STRATEGIES FOR GENETIC IMPROVEMENT OF WHEAT
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bernard Carroll, Professor Ian Godwin
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
GENOTYPIC DIFFERENCES IN ADAPTATION TO DROUGHT AND INFERTILE SOILS IN RAINFED LOWLAND RICE IN CAMBODIA
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Shu Fukai
Media
Enquiries
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