Overview
Background
Associate Professor Sudhir Yadav leads research at the interface of agricultural science, sustainability assessment, and market analysis at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) institute of the University of Queensland. Based in the Centre for Crop Science of QAAFI, he investigates how agricultural and bio-based innovations can deliver environmental benefits, economic value and credible pathways to adoption at scale.
He leads QAAFI’s Systems Assessment, Market Insights and Circular Economy (SMICE) Translation for Impact Platform, bringing environmental, economic, market and adoption evidence together to guide research and investment decisions. His work uses life cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, bioprocess and systems modelling, market research, and monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL). His team focuses on applying these methods to assessing biotechnologies (precision fermentation, plant tissue culture), seaweed biorefining, broadacre farming and grain value chains, and the conversion of agricultural residues and green waste into bioenergy and bioproducts. He works with researchers, government and industry to examine trade-offs, test economic and market assumptions, and inform decisions on research, product development and adoption.
Before joining UQ, A/Prof Yadav worked at the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines, where he conducted research on irrigation and water management, environmental pollution, mixed farming systems, sustainability assessment and the scaling of agricultural innovations.
Availability
- Associate Professor Sudhir Yadav is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Research interests
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Sustainability assessment
My team focuses on sustainability assessment methods including life cycle assessment models for product design, development and deployment stages and ESG frameworks, integrating advanced data analytics to evaluate environmental impacts and biodiversity considerations. We develop practical, data-driven approaches for resource efficiency, circular economy strategies, and environmental footprints, providing industries and policymakers with actionable insights for sustainable management and enhanced environmental outcomes.
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Functional Biomass Research
My team investigates biomass valorisation for alternative protein sources, and bio-based materials. We utilise advanced data analytics to develop biomass process models for diverse feedstocks and perform detailed environmental footprint assessments. Our bioenergy research emphasizes understanding the relationship between feedstock composition, bioenergy efficiency, ash quality, and environmental impacts, supporting sustainable and efficient biomass use in bioeconomy advancements.
Works
Search Professor Sudhir Yadav’s works on UQ eSpace
2008
Conference Publication
Permanent beds for rice–wheat systems in Punjab, India. 2: water balance and soil water dynamics
Humphreys, E. , Kukal, S. S. , Amanpreet-Kaur, Thaman, Sudhir , Yadav, Sudhir , Yadvinder-Singh, Balwinder-Singh, Timsina, J. , Dhillon, S. S. , Prashar, A. and Smith, D. J. (2008). Permanent beds for rice–wheat systems in Punjab, India. 2: water balance and soil water dynamics. Permanent beds and rice-residue management for rice-wheat systems in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, Ludhiana, India, 7-9 September 2006. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.
2007
Journal Article
Performance of direct-seeded basmati rice in loamy sand in semi-arid sub-tropical India
Yadav, Sudhir, Gill, M. S. and Kukal, S. S. (2007). Performance of direct-seeded basmati rice in loamy sand in semi-arid sub-tropical India. Soil & Tillage Research, 97 (2), 229-238. doi: 10.1016/j.still.2007.09.019
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Sudhir Yadav is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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Quantifying Ecological Risks from Flood-borne Contaminants in Nonurban Landscapes
This PhD project will quantify ecological risks from contaminants transported by floods through nonurban landscapes. Integrating hydrological measurements, contaminant concentrations, microbial profiles and land-use data, it will identify priority contaminants, assess risks to flora and fauna, develop predictive models, and examine how flood-driven microbial dynamics inform assessments of antimicrobial resistance risk
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Causal and adaptive learning for agronomic decisions and knowledge exchange in sorghum
Develop and evaluate a causal evidence framework to assess when sorghum agronomic recommendations are justified, the conditions under which they are applicable, and how growers and advisers interpret, adapt, and use them in practice.
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Opportunities for Honours, Masters, and PhD Research Projects
I welcome enquiries from prospective PhD, Master’s, and Honours students interested in joining our research group at QAAFI. Current project opportunities align with our core research areas:
- Sustainability assessment, including life cycle assessment (LCA) for product design, development and deployment stages, ESG frameworks, and data-driven evaluation of environmental and biodiversity impacts to support resource efficiency and circular economy strategies.
- Functional biomass research, including biomass valorisation for alternative proteins, bio-based materials and bioenergy, with an emphasis on process modelling across diverse feedstocks and robust environmental footprint assessment.
- System impact assessment, focusing on integrated evaluation of technology, market and supply-chain pathways, trade-offs, and cross-sector implications to inform decision-making for sustainable transitions.
For Master’s (coursework), preference is given to projects of 8 units or more. To access information on available projects, please email me. To be considered, applicants should submit a cover letter outlining their research interests and motivation, along with a curriculum vitae (CV).
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Artificial Intelligence for Retrieving, Harmonising, and Reasoning over Heterogeneous Data in the Australian Grain Industry
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mahsa Baktashmotlagh, Dr Bruno Rafael De Almeida Moreira
Media
Enquiries
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