
Overview
Background
Dr Karl Robinson joined QAAFI’s Centre for Horticultural Science (frm. Centre for Plant Sciences) in 2012 as a molecular biologist specialising in RNAi applications against animal and plant viruses. Karl received his doctoral degree from The University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science in 2009 and was awarded the 2009 UQ Deans Award. Karl has held postdoctoral research positions within Queensland Government/The University of Queensland - Agricultural Biotechnology Centre and the Viral Pathogenesis and Vaccine Group at the Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Organisation, The University of Saskatchewan, Canada, before joining The Mitter Group. In 2017, Dr Robinson was awarded the Queensland State Government - Advance Queensland Reseach Fellowship to conduct research into alternative insect and virus control methods using RNAi and nanotechnology. Currently, a senior research fellow, supported by Grains Research Development Corporation and Horticulture Innovation Australia, Karl is leading research into spray-on RNAi applications for viruses and insects in high value grain and horticultural crops. Karl supervises several higher degree research students and delivers the plant virology lectures of the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences 3rd year virology course at UQ.
Availability
- Dr Karl Robinson is:
- Not available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Industrial Microbiology, Griffith University
- Masters (Coursework) of Clinical Microbiology, Griffith University
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Graduate Certificate of Food Sciences, University of Ballarat
Research interests
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RNAi Biopesticides.
Design, production and testing of spray-on RNA interference (RNAi) solutions to control viruses and insects that affect horticultural crops grown in protected cropping environs and broad acre grains crops such as wheat, barley, and canola.
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Development of live viral vaccines Australian animal industries.
Explore the utility of Herpesviruses as a multi-valent live viral vaccine platform for the vaccination of animals.
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Phage therapy in agriculture.
Isolation, identification and establishment of lytic bacteriophages populations that may alleviate the bacterial disease burden in agricultural production systems.
Works
Search Professor Karl Robinson’s works on UQ eSpace
2008
Journal Article
The essential and non-essential genes of Bovine herpesvirus 1
Robinson, Karl E., Meers, Joanne, Gravel, Jennifer L., McCarthy, Fiona M. and Mahony, Timothy J. (2008). The essential and non-essential genes of Bovine herpesvirus 1. Journal of General Virology, 89 (11), 2851-2863. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.2008/002501-0
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Karl Robinson is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Effective virus management in crops
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Eric Dinglasan, Dr Narelle Manzie
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Doctor Philosophy
Application of RNAi to viruses and insects of importance to Australian horticultural industries.
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Translating RNAi technology for virus and whitefly management in protected cropping systems/Effective virus management in grain crops
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Modelling superior phenotypes through the identification and exploitation of genomic safe harbours in cattle.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Timothy Mahony
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Doctor Philosophy
Modelling superior phenotypes through the identification and exploitation of genomic safe harbours in cattle.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Timothy Mahony
-
Doctor Philosophy
Modelling superior phenotypes through the identification and exploitation of genomic safe harbours in cattle.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Timothy Mahony
-
Doctor Philosophy
Innovative RNAi for ectoparasites of livestock
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Timothy Mahony, Dr Karishma Mody
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Modelling superior phenotypes through the identification and exploitation of genomic safe harbours in cattle.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Timothy Mahony
-
2024
Master Philosophy
The Development of a Novel Approach for the Differentiation of Bovine herpesvirus 1 field and vaccine strains
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Timothy Mahony
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Topical application of RNA interference to manage insect pests
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sassan Asgari
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
RNAi-based management of Helicoverpa armigera
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sassan Asgari
Media
Enquiries
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