
Overview
Background
Professor Matthew Morell has had an extensive career over four decades characterised by his focus on conducting and leading high-quality agricultural research that delivers benefits to the agriculture and food sectors, and to consumers. In leadership, Professor Morell has a track record in developing effective teams and working with institutions and their stakeholders to deliver innovations for the future.
As Director of QAAFI, Professor Morell is highly motivated by the opportunity to lead research programs that provide research and knowledge based solutions to many of the major big challenges of our times, including enhancing both profitability and sustainability in agricultural production, providing improved nutrition, building resilience in the face of climate change, and reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture, all in ways that protect and build the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities. The mission of QAAFI in providing benefits to Queensland through working closely with producers, the food industry, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and other research partners and stakeholders across the state, provides a highly fertile ground for conducting and delivering research that makes a significant difference to Queensland and its people. QAAFI has an important role serving as a focal point for Queensland in engaging nationally and internationally with global efforts to find solutions to global challenges in agriculture and food production.
Over the past seven years, Professor Morell led research in an international development context at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) based in the Philippines. As IRRI’s CEO for the past five years, he led the institute’s affairs across 17 countries, set strategic direction in close consultation with its Board of Trustees, staff and stakeholders. Prior to his appointment as CEO, Professor Morell was IRRI’s Deputy Director General (Research), driving research and outreach programs across various dimensions of rice science including climate change-ready rice, healthier varieties, environmentally sustainable farming systems, and capacity development. In his leadership at IRRI, Professor Morell instilled a strong focus on both understanding and meeting the needs of stakeholders and beneficiaries, he strengthened IRRIs regional presence, particularly through the establishment of the IRRI South Asia Research Centre, and drove modernisation of the Institute's research operations to be more effective and efficient.
Before joining IRRI, Professor Morell worked for 17 years at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), where he initiated, developed, and led a research program on future grains and plant oil production. Dr Morell has extensive experience in working closely with industry and in identifying, protecting, and managing intellectual property. His work at CSIRO resulted in the formation of two spin off companies which have commercialised novel grains delivering human health benefits. He holds a PhD in agricultural chemistry from the University of Sydney; conducted postdoctoral studies at the University of Michigan and the University of California, Davis; and was a research fellow at the Australian National University. He is an Academy Fellow of the International Association of Cereal Chemists and of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering of Australia. (ATSE).
Availability
- Professor Matthew Morell is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours), University of Sydney
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Sydney
Works
Search Professor Matthew Morell’s works on UQ eSpace
2019
Journal Article
Dissecting the genome-wide genetic variants of milling and appearance quality traits in rice
Misra, Gopal, Anacleto, Roslen, Badoni, Saurabh, Butardo, Vito, Molina, Lilia, Graner, Andreas, Demont, Matty, Morell, Matthew K. and Sreenivasulu, Nese (2019). Dissecting the genome-wide genetic variants of milling and appearance quality traits in rice. Journal of Experimental Botany, 70 (19), 5115-5130. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erz256
2019
Journal Article
Integrating a genome-wide association study with a large-scale transcriptome analysis to predict genetic regions influencing the glycaemic index and texture in rice
Anacleto, Roslen, Badoni, Saurabh, Parween, Sabiha, Butardo, Vito M., Misra, Gopal, Cuevas, Rosa Paula, Kuhlmann, Markus, Trinidad, Trinidad P., Mallillin, Aida C., Acuin, Cecilia, Bird, Anthony R., Morell, Matthew K. and Sreenivasulu, Nese (2019). Integrating a genome-wide association study with a large-scale transcriptome analysis to predict genetic regions influencing the glycaemic index and texture in rice. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 17 (7), 1261-1275. doi: 10.1111/pbi.13051
2016
Journal Article
Art and science as creative catalysts
Gates-Stuart, Eleanor, Nguyen, Chuong, Adcock, Matt, Bradley, Jay, Morell, Matthew and Lovell, David (2016). Art and science as creative catalysts. Leonardo, 49 (5), 452-453. doi: 10.1162/LEON_a_01065
2016
Journal Article
High wholegrain barley β-glucan lowers food intake but does not alter small intestinal macronutrient digestibility in ileorectostomised rats
Belobrajdic, Damien P., Hino, Shingo, Kondo, Takashi, Jobling, Stephen A., Morell, Matthew K., Topping, David L., Morita, Tatsuya and Bird, Anthony R. (2016). High wholegrain barley β-glucan lowers food intake but does not alter small intestinal macronutrient digestibility in ileorectostomised rats. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 67 (6), 678-685. doi: 10.1080/09637486.2016.1194811
2016
Journal Article
Suppression of glucan, water dikinase in the endosperm alters wheat grain properties, germination and coleoptile growth
Bowerman, Andrew F., Newberry, Marcus, Dielen, Anne-Sophie, Whan, Alex, Larroque, Oscar, Pritchard, Jenifer, Gubler, Frank, Howitt, Crispin A., Pogson, Barry J., Morell, Matthew K. and Ral, Jean-Philippe (2016). Suppression of glucan, water dikinase in the endosperm alters wheat grain properties, germination and coleoptile growth. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 14 (1), 398-408. doi: 10.1111/pbi.12394
2016
Journal Article
Engineering high α-amylase levels in wheat grain lowers Falling Number but improves baking properties
Ral, Jean-Philippe, Whan, Alex, Larroque, Oscar, Leyne, Emmett, Pritchard, Jeni, Dielen, Anne-Sophie, Howitt, Crispin A., Morell, Matthew K. and Newberry, Marcus (2016). Engineering high α-amylase levels in wheat grain lowers Falling Number but improves baking properties. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 14 (1), 364-376. doi: 10.1111/pbi.12390
2015
Book Chapter
Starch: synthesis
Regina, A., Rahman, S., Li, Z. and Morell, M. K. (2015). Starch: synthesis. Encyclopedia of food grains. (pp. 181-189) Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier . doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-394437-5.00094-2
2015
Journal Article
A genetic strategy generating wheat with very high amylose content
Regina, Ahmed, Berbezy, Pierre, Kosar-Hashemi, Behjat, Li, Suzhi, Cmiel, Mark, Larroque, Oscar, Bird, Anthony R., Swain, Steve M., Cavanagh, Colin, Jobling, Stephen A., Li, Zhongyi and Morell, Matthew (2015). A genetic strategy generating wheat with very high amylose content. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 13 (9), 1276-1286. doi: 10.1111/pbi.12345
2015
Journal Article
The different effects of starch synthase IIa mutations or variation on endosperm amylose content of barley, wheat and rice are determined by the distribution of starch synthase I and starch branching enzyme IIb between the starch granule and amyloplast st
Luo, Jixun, Ahmed, Regina, Kosar-Hashemi, Behjat, Larroque, Oscar, Butardo, Vito M., Tanner, Greg J., Colgrave, Michelle L., Upadhyaya, Narayana M., Tetlow, Ian J., Emes, Michael J., Millar, Anthony, Jobling, Stepen A., Morell, Matthew K. and Li, Zhongyi (2015). The different effects of starch synthase IIa mutations or variation on endosperm amylose content of barley, wheat and rice are determined by the distribution of starch synthase I and starch branching enzyme IIb between the starch granule and amyloplast st. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 128 (7), 1407-1419. doi: 10.1007/s00122-015-2515-z
2015
Journal Article
Resistant starch alters colonic contractility and expression of related genes in rats fed a western diet
Patten, Glen S., Kerr, Caroline A., Dunne, Robert A., Shaw, Janet M., Bird, Anthony R., Regina, Ahmed, Morell, Matthew K., Lockett, Trevor J., Molloy, Peter L., Abeywardena, Mahinda Y., Topping, David L. and Conlon, Michael A. (2015). Resistant starch alters colonic contractility and expression of related genes in rats fed a western diet. Digestive Diseases and Sciences, 60 (6), 1624-1632. doi: 10.1007/s10620-015-3537-8
2015
Journal Article
Protein-protein interactions among enzymes of starch biosynthesis in high-amylose barley genotypes reveal differential roles of heteromeric enzyme complexes in the synthesis of A and B granules
Ahmed, Zaheer, Tetlow, Ian J., Ahmed, Regina, Morell, Matthew K. and Emes, Michael J. (2015). Protein-protein interactions among enzymes of starch biosynthesis in high-amylose barley genotypes reveal differential roles of heteromeric enzyme complexes in the synthesis of A and B granules. Plant Science, 233, 95-106. doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2014.12.016
2015
Journal Article
Molecular, mesoscopic and microscopic structure evolution during amylase digestion of extruded maize and high amylose maize starches
Shrestha, Ashok K., Blazek, Jaroslav, Flanagan, Bernadine M., Dhital, Sushil, Larroque, Oscar, Morell, Matthew K., Gilbert, Elliot P. and Gidley, Michael J. (2015). Molecular, mesoscopic and microscopic structure evolution during amylase digestion of extruded maize and high amylose maize starches. Carbohydrate Polymers, 118, 224-234. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.11.025
2015
Journal Article
Motivations for avoiding wheat consumption in Australia: results from a population survey
Golley, Sinéad, Corsini, Nadia, Topping, David, Morell, Matthew and Mohr, Philip (2015). Motivations for avoiding wheat consumption in Australia: results from a population survey. Public Health Nutrition, 18 (3), 490-499. doi: 10.1017/S1368980014000652
2015
Journal Article
Wholegrain barley β-glucan fermentation does not improve glucose tolerance in rats fed a high-fat diet
Belobrajdic, Damien P., Jobling, Stephen A., Morell, Matthew K., Taketa, Shin and Bird, Anthony R. (2015). Wholegrain barley β-glucan fermentation does not improve glucose tolerance in rats fed a high-fat diet. Nutrition Research, 35 (2), 162-168. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2014.12.006
2015
Journal Article
Allelic effects on starch structure and properties of six starch biosynthetic genes in a rice recombinant inbred line population
Luo, Jixun, Jobling, Stephen A, Millar, Anthony, Morell, Matthew K. and Li, Zhongyi (2015). Allelic effects on starch structure and properties of six starch biosynthetic genes in a rice recombinant inbred line population. Rice, 8 (1) 15, 1-13. doi: 10.1186/s12284-015-0046-5
2014
Journal Article
Engineering α-amylase levels in wheat grain suggests a highly sophisticated level of carbohydrate regulation during development
Whan, Alex, Dielen, Anne-Sophie, Mieog, Jos, Bowerman, Andrew F., Robinson, Hannah M., Byrne, Keren, Colgrave, Michelle, Larkin, Philip J., Howitt, Crispin A., Morell, Matthew K. and Ral, Jean-Philippe (2014). Engineering α-amylase levels in wheat grain suggests a highly sophisticated level of carbohydrate regulation during development. Journal of Experimental Botany, 65 (18), 5443-5457. doi: 10.1093/jxb/eru299
2014
Journal Article
New perspectives on the role of α- and β-amylases in transient starch synthesis
Wu, Alex Chi, Ral, Jean-Philippe, Morell, Matthew K. and Gilbert, Robert G. (2014). New perspectives on the role of α- and β-amylases in transient starch synthesis. PLoS One, 9 (6) e100498, e100498.1-e100498.10. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100498
2014
Journal Article
Use of a large multiparent wheat mapping population in genomic dissection of coleoptile and seedling growth
Rebetzke, Greg J., Verbyla, Arunas P., Verbyla, Klara L., Morell, Matthew K. and Cavanagh, Colin R. (2014). Use of a large multiparent wheat mapping population in genomic dissection of coleoptile and seedling growth. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 12 (2), 219-230. doi: 10.1111/pbi.12130
2014
Journal Article
Suppression of starch synthase I expression affects the granule morphology and granule size and fine structure of starch in wheat endosperm
Mcmaugh, Stephen J., Thistleton, Jenny L., Anschaw, Emma, Luo, Jixun, Konik-Rose, Christine, Wang, Hong, Huang, Min, Larroque, Oscar, Regina, Ahmed, Jobling, Stephen A., Morell, Matthew K. and Li, Zhongyi (2014). Suppression of starch synthase I expression affects the granule morphology and granule size and fine structure of starch in wheat endosperm. Journal of Experimental Botany, 65 (8), 2189-2201. doi: 10.1093/jxb/eru095
2014
Journal Article
Characterization of polyploid wheat genomic diversity using a high-density 90 000 single nucleotide polymorphism array
Wang, Shichen, Wong, Debbie, Forrest, Kerrie, Allen, Alexandra, Chao, Shiaoman, Huang, Bevan E., Maccaferri, Marco, Salvi, Silvio, Milner, Sara G., Cattivelli, Luigi, Mastrangelo, Anna M., Whan, Alex, Stephen, Stuart, Barker, Gary, Wieseke, Ralf, Plieske, Joerg, Lillemo, Morten, Mather, Diane, Appels, Rudi, Dolferus, Rudy, Brown-Guedira, Gina, Korol, Abraham, Akhunova, Alina R., Feuillet, Catherine, Salse, Jerome, Morgante, Michele, Pozniak, Curtis, Luo, Ming-Cheng, Dvorak, Jan ... Akhunov, Eduard (2014). Characterization of polyploid wheat genomic diversity using a high-density 90 000 single nucleotide polymorphism array. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 12 (6), 787-796. doi: 10.1111/pbi.12183
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Matthew Morell is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Completed supervision
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Theory of Starch Biosynthesis and their Structures for the Rational Design of Starches: A Mathematical Modelling Approach
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bob Gilbert
Media
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