Axa Gonzalez

Dr Axayacatl González leads research that delivers tangible benefits to agriculture, industry, and Australia’s growing bioeconomy. His work combines microbial engineering, fermentation, and soil microbiome science to create technologies that improve environmental sustainability and support new high-value manufacturing pathways.

Dr González has produced high-quality research recognised nationally and internationally, with 33 peer-reviewed publications and over 900 citations. His research has directly informed the development of microbial platforms for rare sugar production, supporting innovation within Queensland’s sugar industry through a $1.5M collaboration with MSF Sugar.

His environmental research has advanced understanding of the microbial drivers of nitrous oxide emissions, one of agriculture’s most damaging greenhouse gases. This work, supported by GRDC, DAF and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, provides evidence-based strategies to reduce emissions and improve soil health.

Beyond academic impact, Dr González has secured over $1.7M in competitive research funding and facilitated major industry partnerships with companies such as Windfall Bio, SQM, Manildra Group and Eden Brew. His leadership at IDEA Bio has also contributed to securing $20M in national research infrastructure funding, strengthening Australia’s capacity in synthetic biology and biomanufacturing.