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
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
2006
Journal Article
Models for navigating biological complexity in breeding improved crop plants
Hammer, G. L., Cooper, M., Tardieu, F., Welch, S., Walsh, B., van Eeuwijk, A., Chapman, S. C. and Podlich, D. (2006). Models for navigating biological complexity in breeding improved crop plants. Trends in Plant Science, 11 (12), 587-593. doi: 10.1016/j.tplants.2006.10.006
2006
Journal Article
Use of drought response index for identification of drought tolerant genotypes in rainfed lowland rice
Ouk, Makara, Basnayake, J., Tsubo, M., Fukai, S., Fischer, K.S., Cooper, M. and Nesbitt, H. (2006). Use of drought response index for identification of drought tolerant genotypes in rainfed lowland rice. Field Crops Research, 99 (1), 48-58. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2006.03.003
2006
Journal Article
Changes in drought tolerance in maize associated with fifty years of breeding for yield in the US corn belt
Campos, H., Cooper, M., Edmeades, G. O., Loffler, C., Schussler, J. R. and Ibanez, M. (2006). Changes in drought tolerance in maize associated with fifty years of breeding for yield in the US corn belt. Maydica, 51 (2), 369-381.
2006
Journal Article
Genetic diversity among maize hybrids widely grown in contrasting regional environments in the United States during the 1990s
Smith, S., Loffler, C. and Cooper, M. (2006). Genetic diversity among maize hybrids widely grown in contrasting regional environments in the United States during the 1990s. Maydica, 51 (2), 233-242.
2006
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 Loffler, C.M. (2006). Integrating breeding tools to generate information for efficient breeding: past, present, and future. Plant breeding: the Arnel R. Hallauer International Symposium. (pp. 141-154) edited by Kendall R. Lamkey and Michael Lee. Ames, IA, United States: Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1002/9780470752708.ch10
2006
Journal Article
Use of drought response index for identification of drought tolerant genotypes in rainfed lowland rice
Ouk, M, Basnayake, J, Tsubo, M, Fukai, S, Fischer, KS, Cooper, M and Nesbitt, H (2006). Use of drought response index for identification of drought tolerant genotypes in rainfed lowland rice. Field Crops Research, 99 (1), 48-58. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2006.03.003
2006
Journal Article
Temporal trends in SSR allele frequencies associated with long-term selection for yield of maize
Feng, L., Sebastian, S., Smith, S. and Cooper, M. (2006). Temporal trends in SSR allele frequencies associated with long-term selection for yield of maize. Maydica, 51 (2), 293-300.
2006
Book Chapter
Genotype-by-environment interactions under water-limited conditions
Cooper, Mark, van Eeuwijk, Fred, Chapman, Scott C., Podlich, Dean W. and Loffler, Carlos (2006). Genotype-by-environment interactions under water-limited conditions. Drought Adaptation in Cereals. (pp. 51-96) edited by Jean-Marcel Ribaut. New York, NY, United States: Food Products Press. doi: 10.1201/9781003578338-5
2005
Journal Article
Gene-to-phenotype models and complex trait genetics
Cooper, Mark, Podlich, Dean W. and Smith, Oscar S. (2005). Gene-to-phenotype models and complex trait genetics. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 56 (9), 895-918. doi: 10.1071/AR05154
2005
Journal Article
Classification of maize environments using crop simulation and geographic information systems
Loffler, C.M., Wei, J., Fast, T., Gogerty, J., Langton, S., Bergman, M., Merrill, B. and Cooper, M. (2005). Classification of maize environments using crop simulation and geographic information systems. Crop Science, 45 (5), 1708-1716. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2004.0370
2005
Journal Article
Comparison of identity by descent and identity by state for detecting genetic regions under selection in a sorghum pedigree breeding program
Jordan, D., Tao, Y. Z., Henzell, R. G., Godwin, I. D., Cooper, M. and McIntyre, C. L. (2005). Comparison of identity by descent and identity by state for detecting genetic regions under selection in a sorghum pedigree breeding program. Molecular Breeding, 14 (4), 441-454. doi: 10.1007/s11032-005-0901-y
2005
Journal Article
Preface to Special Issue: Complex traits and plant breeding - can we understand the complexities of gene-to-phenotype relationships and use such knowledge to enhance plant breeding outcomes?
Cooper, M. and Hammer, G. L. (2005). Preface to Special Issue: Complex traits and plant breeding - can we understand the complexities of gene-to-phenotype relationships and use such knowledge to enhance plant breeding outcomes?. Australian Journal Of Agricultural Research, 56 (9), 869-872. doi: 10.1071/AR05151
2005
Book Chapter
Improving drought tolerance in maize
Barker, T., Campos, H., Cooper, M., Dolan, D., Edmeades, G., Habben, J., Schussler, J., Wright, D. and Zinselmeier, C. (2005). Improving drought tolerance in maize. Plant breeding reviews. (pp. 173-253) edited by Jules Janick. Hoboken, NJ, United States: John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/9780470650301.ch7
2004
Journal Article
Changes in pedigree backgrounds of pioneer brand maize hybrids widely grown from 1930 to 1999
Stephen, J., Smith, C., Duvick, Donald N., Smith, Oscar S., Cooper, Mark and Feng, Lizhi (2004). Changes in pedigree backgrounds of pioneer brand maize hybrids widely grown from 1930 to 1999. Crop Science, 44 (6), 1935-1946. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2004.1935
2004
Conference Publication
Changes in pedigree backgrounds of pioneer brand maize hybrids widely grown from 1930 to 1999
Smith, J. Stephen C., Duvick, Donald N., Smith, Oscar S., Cooper, Mark and Feng, Lizhi (2004). Changes in pedigree backgrounds of pioneer brand maize hybrids widely grown from 1930 to 1999.
2004
Journal Article
Yield response of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes to drought under rainfed lowlands 4. Vegetative stage screening in the dry season
Pantuwan, G., Fukai, S., Cooper, M., Rajatasereekul, S., O'Toole, J. C. and Basnayake, J. (2004). Yield response of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes to drought under rainfed lowlands 4. Vegetative stage screening in the dry season. Field Crops Research, 89 (2-3), 281-297. doi: 10.1016/j.fcr.2004.02.007
2004
Journal Article
Mapping as you go: an effective approach for marker-assisted selection of complex traits
Podlich, Dean W., Winkler, Christopher R. and Cooper, Mark (2004). Mapping as you go: an effective approach for marker-assisted selection of complex traits. Crop Science, 44 (5), 1560-1571. doi: 10.2135/cropsci2004.1560
2004
Journal Article
The selective values of alleles in a molecular network model are context dependent
Peccoud, J., Vander Velden, K., Podlich, D., Winkler, C., Arthur, L. and Cooper, M. (2004). The selective values of alleles in a molecular network model are context dependent. Genetics, 166 (4), 1715-1725. doi: 10.1534/genetics.166.4.1715
2004
Conference Publication
Drought response index for identifying drought resistant genotypes for rainfed lowland rice in Cambodia
Ouk, M., Fukai, S., Fischer, K. S., Basnayake, J. W. M., Cooper, M. and Nesbitt, H. J. (2004). Drought response index for identifying drought resistant genotypes for rainfed lowland rice in Cambodia. Water in Agriculture, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 25-28 November 2003. Canberra: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Mark Cooper is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
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
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
-
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
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
For media enquiries about Professor Mark Cooper's areas of expertise, story ideas and help finding experts, contact our Media team: