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Professor Matthew Morell
Professor

Matthew Morell

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 60551

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

159 works between 1984 and 2019

1 - 20 of 159 works

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

Dissecting the genome-wide genetic variants of milling and appearance quality traits in rice

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

Integrating a genome-wide association study with a large-scale transcriptome analysis to predict genetic regions influencing the glycaemic index and texture in rice

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

Art and science as creative catalysts

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

High wholegrain barley β-glucan lowers food intake but does not alter small intestinal macronutrient digestibility in ileorectostomised rats

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

Suppression of glucan, water dikinase in the endosperm alters wheat grain properties, germination and coleoptile growth

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

Engineering high α-amylase levels in wheat grain lowers Falling Number but improves baking properties

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

Starch: synthesis

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

A genetic strategy generating wheat with very high amylose content

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

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

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

Resistant starch alters colonic contractility and expression of related genes in rats fed a western diet

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

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

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

Molecular, mesoscopic and microscopic structure evolution during amylase digestion of extruded maize and high amylose maize starches

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

Motivations for avoiding wheat consumption in Australia: results from a population survey

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

Wholegrain barley β-glucan fermentation does not improve glucose tolerance in rats fed a high-fat diet

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

Allelic effects on starch structure and properties of six starch biosynthetic genes in a rice recombinant inbred line population

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

Engineering α-amylase levels in wheat grain suggests a highly sophisticated level of carbohydrate regulation during development

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

New perspectives on the role of α- and β-amylases in transient starch synthesis

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

Use of a large multiparent wheat mapping population in genomic dissection of coleoptile and seedling growth

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

Suppression of starch synthase I expression affects the granule morphology and granule size and fine structure of starch in wheat endosperm

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

Characterization of polyploid wheat genomic diversity using a high-density 90 000 single nucleotide polymorphism array

Funding

Current funding

  • 2022 - 2027
    The University of Queensland Accelerating Growth in Australia's Food and Beverage Manufacturing [F&B Accelerate; FaBA]
    Trailblazer Universities Program
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2028
    Research Funding Agreement for Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2015 - 2023
    Research Funding Agreement for Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation - Employee Transition Protocol
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor Matthew Morell is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Completed supervision

Media

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