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
2011
Journal Article
Yield-trait performance landscapes: from theory to application in breeding maize for drought tolerance
Messina, Carlos D., Podlich, Dean, Dong, Zhanshan, Samples, Mitch and Cooper, Mark (2011). Yield-trait performance landscapes: from theory to application in breeding maize for drought tolerance. Journal of Experimental Botany, 62 (3), 855-868. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erq329
2011
Journal Article
The 1BL/1RS translocation decreases grain yield of spring wheat germplasm in low yield environments of north-eastern Australia
Peake, Allan S., Gilmour, Arthur and Cooper, Mark (2011). The 1BL/1RS translocation decreases grain yield of spring wheat germplasm in low yield environments of north-eastern Australia. Crop and Pasture Science, 62 (4), 276-288. doi: 10.1071/CP10219
2011
Journal Article
Indirect selection using reference and probe genotype performance in multi-environment trials
Mathews, Ky L., Trethowan, Richard, Milgate, Andrew W., Payne, Thomas, van Ginkel, Maarten, Crossa, Jose, DeLacy, Ian, Cooper, Mark and Chapman, Scott C. (2011). Indirect selection using reference and probe genotype performance in multi-environment trials. Crop and Pasture Science, 62 (4), 313-327. doi: 10.1071/CP10318
2010
Journal Article
Genotypic variation for grain and stover yield of dryland (rabi) sorghum in India 2. A characterisation of genotype x environment interactions
DeLacy, I. H., Kaul, S., Rana, B. S. and Cooper, M. (2010). Genotypic variation for grain and stover yield of dryland (rabi) sorghum in India 2. A characterisation of genotype x environment interactions. Field Crops Research, 118 (3), 236-242. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2010.05.014
2010
Journal Article
Genotypic variation for grain and stover yield of dryland (rabi) sorghum in India: 1. Magnitude of genotype x environment interactions
DeLacy, I. H., Kaul, S., Rana, B. S. and Cooper, M. (2010). Genotypic variation for grain and stover yield of dryland (rabi) sorghum in India: 1. Magnitude of genotype x environment interactions. Field Crops Research, 118 (3), 228-235. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2010.05.013
2010
Journal Article
Morphological and architectural development of root systems in sorghum and maize
Singh, V, van Oosterom, EJ, Jordan, DR, Messina, CD, Cooper, M and Hammer, GL (2010). Morphological and architectural development of root systems in sorghum and maize. Plant and Soil, 333 (1-2), 287-299. doi: 10.1007/s11104-010-0343-0
2010
Book Chapter
Long-term selection in a commercial hybrid maize breeding program
Duvick, D. N., Smith, J. S. C. and Cooper, M. (2010). Long-term selection in a commercial hybrid maize breeding program. Plant breeding reviews. (pp. 109-151) edited by Jules Janick. Oxford, United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/9780470650288.ch4
2010
Journal Article
Mixed model approaches for the identification of QTLs within a maize hybrid breeding program
van Eeuwijk, Fred A., Boer, Martin, Totir, L. Radu, Bink, Marco, Wright, Deanne, Winkler, Christopher R., Podlich, Dean, Boldman, Keith, Baumgarten, Andy, Smalley, Matt, Arbelbide, Martin, ter Braak, Cajo J. F. and Cooper, Mark (2010). Mixed model approaches for the identification of QTLs within a maize hybrid breeding program. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 120 (2), 429-440. doi: 10.1007/s00122-009-1205-0
2010
Conference Publication
Indirect selection using reference genotype performance in a global spring wheat multi-environment trial
Mathews, Ky L., Trethowan, Richard, Milgate, Andrew, Payne, Thomas, van Ginkel, Maarten, Crossa, Jose, DeLacy, Ian H., Cooper, Mark and Chapman, Scott C. (2010). Indirect selection using reference genotype performance in a global spring wheat multi-environment trial. 8th International Wheat Conference, St Petersburg, Russia, 1-4 June 2010. St. Petersburg, Russia: N.I. Vavilov Research Institute of Plant Industry (VIR).
2009
Journal Article
Modeling QTL for complex traits: detection and context for plant breeding
Cooper, Mark, van Eeuwijk, Fred A., Hammer, Graeme L., Podlich, Dean W. and Messina, Carlos (2009). Modeling QTL for complex traits: detection and context for plant breeding. Current Opinion In Plant Biology, 12 (2), 231-240. doi: 10.1016/j.pbi.2009.01.006
2009
Journal Article
Can changes in canopy and/or root system architecture explain historical maize yield trends in the US corn belt?
Hammer, G.L., Dong, Z.S., McLean, G., Doherty, A., Messina, C., Schusler, J., Zinselmeier, C., Paszkiewicz, S. and Cooper, M. (2009). Can changes in canopy and/or root system architecture explain historical maize yield trends in the US corn belt?. Crop Science, 49 (1), 299-312. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2008.03.0152
2009
Book Chapter
Modelling crop improvement in a GXEXM framework via gene-trail-phenotype relationships
Messina, C., Hammer, G., Dong, Z., Podlich, D. and Cooper, M. (2009). Modelling crop improvement in a GXEXM framework via gene-trail-phenotype relationships. Crop physiology: Applications for Genetic Improvement and Agronomy. (pp. 235-265) edited by Sadras, V.O. and Calderini, D.. Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-374431-9.00010-4
2008
Book Chapter
Integrating Breeding Tools to Generate Information for Efficient Breeding: Past, Present, and Future
Cooper, M., Smith, O. S., Merrill, R. E., Arthur, L., Podlich, D. W. and Löffler, C. M. (2008). Integrating Breeding Tools to Generate Information for Efficient Breeding: Past, Present, and Future. Plant Breeding: The Arnel R. Hallauer International Symposium. (pp. 141-154) Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1002/9780470752708.ch10
2008
Journal Article
Genotypic variation for drought stress response traits in soybean. III. Broad-sense heritability of epidermal conductance, osmotic potential, and relative water content
James, A. T., Lawn, R. J. and Cooper, M. (2008). Genotypic variation for drought stress response traits in soybean. III. Broad-sense heritability of epidermal conductance, osmotic potential, and relative water content. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 59 (7), 679-689. doi: 10.1071/AR07161
2008
Journal Article
Genotypic variation for drought stress response traits in soybean. I. Variation in soybean and wild Glycine spp. for epidermal conductance, osmotic potential, and relative water content
James, A. T., Lawn, R. J. and Cooper, M. (2008). Genotypic variation for drought stress response traits in soybean. I. Variation in soybean and wild Glycine spp. for epidermal conductance, osmotic potential, and relative water content. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 59 (7), 656-669. doi: 10.1071/AR07159
2008
Journal Article
Genotypic variation for drought stress response traits in soybean. II. Inter-relations between epidermal conductance, osmotic potential, relative water content, and plant survival
James, A. T., Lawn, R. J. and Cooper, M. (2008). Genotypic variation for drought stress response traits in soybean. II. Inter-relations between epidermal conductance, osmotic potential, relative water content, and plant survival. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 59 (7), 670-678. doi: 10.1071/AR07160
2007
Journal Article
A mixed-model quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis for multiple-environment trial data using environmental covariables for QTL-by-environment interactions, with an example in maize
Boer, Martin P., Wright, Deanne, Feng, Lizhi, Podlich, Dean W., Luo, Lang, Cooper, Mark and van Eeuwijk, Fred A. (2007). A mixed-model quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis for multiple-environment trial data using environmental covariables for QTL-by-environment interactions, with an example in maize. Genetics, 177 (3), 1801-1813. doi: 10.1534/genetics.107.071068
2007
Journal Article
Global adaptation patterns of Australian and CIMMYT spring bread wheat
Mathews, K. L., Chapman, S. C., Trethowan, R., Pfeiffer, W., van Ginkel, M., Crossa, J., Payne, T., DeLacy, I., Fox, P. N. and Cooper, M. (2007). Global adaptation patterns of Australian and CIMMYT spring bread wheat. Theoretical And Applied Genetics, 115 (6), 819-835. doi: 10.1007/s00122-007-0611-4
2007
Journal Article
Genotype-by-environment interactions for grain yield associated with water availability at flowering in rainfed lowland rice
Ouk, M., Basnayake, J., Tsubo, M., Fukai, S., Fischer, K. S., Kang, S., Men, S., Thun, V. and Cooper, M. (2007). Genotype-by-environment interactions for grain yield associated with water availability at flowering in rainfed lowland rice. Field Crops Research, 101 (2), 145-154. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2006.10.003
2007
Book Chapter
Modeling QTL effects and MAS in plant breeding
Cooper, Mark, Podlich, Dean W. and Luo, Lang (2007). Modeling QTL effects and MAS in plant breeding. Genomics-Assisted Crop Improvement. (pp. 57-95) Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4020-6295-7_4
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
Phylogenomic and ecophysiological investigations of transferability of adaptation solutions within the Andropogoneae tribe
Principal Advisor
-
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
Network biology of quantitative traits in sorghum
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Graeme Hammer, Professor Emma Mace, Dr Colleen Hunt, Dr Sofie Pearson, Professor David Jordan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Unification of selection and inheritance informs adaptive potential for generations to come
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Katrina McGuigan, Dr Yang Liu
-
Doctor Philosophy
Genomic prediction of lodging in sorghum
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Emma Mace, Dr Esinam Nancy Amuzu-Aweh, Professor David Jordan, Dr Colleen Hunt
-
Doctor Philosophy
Improving molecular and phenotypic predictions through network-based prior knowledge and AI
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Christine Beveridge
-
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
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 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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