Professor Ian Godwin
Professor

Ian Godwin

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 32681

Background

Professor Ian Godwin has over 30 years’ experience in plant biotechnology research, first undertaking sugar beet genetic engineering at Birmingham University in the UK in the 1980s. He joined UQ in 1990, holding an academic position in plant molecular genetics. In 2019 he joined QAAFI as Director of the Centre for Crop Science.

He leads research in the use of biotechnological tools for crop improvement, with emphasis on the sustainable production of grain crops. Major focus is on the improvement of crops for food, feed and bio-industrial end-uses. He has pioneered the use of GM and gene edited techniques in sorghum. Research projects include international collaborations with a focus on food security and plant genetic resource conservation with collaborators in Germany, Denmark, the United States, China, Ethiopia and Pacific Island countries. He is passionate about the public communication of science, and has spoken at many public events on genetics, GM plants and food, animal cloning, and the future of agriculture in a changing climate. In 2003 he was an ABC Science Media Fellow, and has appeared on ABC and BBC radio on numerous occasions.

His popular science book Good Enough to Eat?: Next Generation GM Crops was published by the Royal Society of Chemistry in 2019.

Availability

Professor Ian Godwin is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Agricultural biotechnology Crop and pasture production Plant biology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Agricultural Science, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research impacts

Genetic improvement of plants using molecular and genomics tools. Cereals and grain crops.

Search Professor Ian Godwin’s works on UQ eSpace

266 works between 1951 and 2025
All (266) Journal Article (156) Book Chapter (26) Conference Publication (80) Book (1) Other Outputs (3)

221 - 240 of 266 works

1999

Conference Publication

Excision of a maize Ds element in sorghum

Able, J. A., Carroll, B. J., Rathus, C. O. and Godwin, I. D. (1999). Excision of a maize Ds element in sorghum. 43rd Annual ASBMB, 18th ANZSCDB and 39th ASPP Ann Combined Meeting, Conrad Jupiters, Gold Coast, Qld, 27-30 September 1999. Kent Town, SA: Aust. Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Excision of a maize Ds element in sorghum

1999

Conference Publication

Molecular and anatomical analysis of cell expansion and differentiation in plants

Reyes, M., McDowall, A. W., Ghoddusi, M., Brown, S., Godwin, I. D., Keddie, J. S. and Carroll, B. J. (1999). Molecular and anatomical analysis of cell expansion and differentiation in plants. In: Plant and Animal Genome Conference VII. Plant and Animal Conference VII, Town and Country Hotel, San Diego, California, (90). 17 -21 January 1999.

Molecular and anatomical analysis of cell expansion and differentiation in plants

1999

Journal Article

A new technique for coconut (Cocos nucifera) germplasm collection from remote sites: culturability of embryos following low-temperature incubation

Samosir, Y. M. S., Godwin, I. D. and Adkins, S. W. (1999). A new technique for coconut (Cocos nucifera) germplasm collection from remote sites: culturability of embryos following low-temperature incubation. Australian Journal of Botany, 47 (1), 69-75. doi: 10.1071/BT97067

A new technique for coconut (Cocos nucifera) germplasm collection from remote sites: culturability of embryos following low-temperature incubation

1999

Conference Publication

Using biotechnology to help improve sunflower rust resistance

Lawson, W., Kong, G., Engel, B., Goulter, K., Thompson, S., Pike, D., Godwin, I. D. and Kochman, J. (1999). Using biotechnology to help improve sunflower rust resistance. 21st Sunflower Research Workshop, Fargo, North Dakota, USA, 14-15 January 1999. Bismarck, ND, USA: National Sunflower Association (USA).

Using biotechnology to help improve sunflower rust resistance

1999

Conference Publication

Pedigree analysis provides a useful adjunct to QTL analysis in sorghum

Cooper, M., Godwin, I. D., Henzell, R. G., Jordan, D., McIntyre, C. L. and Tao, Y. Z. (1999). Pedigree analysis provides a useful adjunct to QTL analysis in sorghum. 11th Australian Plant Breeding Conference, Stamford Grand Hotel, Glenelg, SA, 19-23 April 1999. Adelaide: Univ. of Adelaide (Waite Campus), SA.

Pedigree analysis provides a useful adjunct to QTL analysis in sorghum

1999

Journal Article

Initiation and proliferation of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) somatic embryos from zygotic tissue

Ernawati, A., Adkins, S. W., Drew, R. A. and Godwin, I. D. (1999). Initiation and proliferation of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) somatic embryos from zygotic tissue. Buletin Agronomi, 27 (3), 15-22.

Initiation and proliferation of Papaya (Carica papaya L.) somatic embryos from zygotic tissue

1999

Conference Publication

MARs to sorghum: Have we landed?

Able, J. A., Carroll, B. J., Rathus, C. O. and Godwin, I. D. (1999). MARs to sorghum: Have we landed?. 43rd ASBMB, 18th ANZSCDB & 39th ASPP Annual Combined Coference, Conrad Jupiters, Gold Coast, Qld, 27-30 September 1999. Kent Town, SA: Aust. Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

MARs to sorghum: Have we landed?

1998

Conference Publication

Control of ethylene and use of polyamines can optimise the conditions for somatic embryogenesis in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) and papaya (Carica papaya L.)

Adkins, S. W., Samosir, Y. M., Ernawati, A., Godwin, I. D. and Drew, R. A. (1998). Control of ethylene and use of polyamines can optimise the conditions for somatic embryogenesis in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) and papaya (Carica papaya L.). International Symposium on Biotechnology of Tropical and Subtropical Species, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 29 September - 3 October 1997. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1998.461.54

Control of ethylene and use of polyamines can optimise the conditions for somatic embryogenesis in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) and papaya (Carica papaya L.)

1998

Conference Publication

Use of a SCAR-based marker for the early detection of dwarf off-types in micropropagated Cavendish bananas

Damasco, O. P., Adkins, S. W., Godwin, I. D. and Smith, M. K. (1998). Use of a SCAR-based marker for the early detection of dwarf off-types in micropropagated Cavendish bananas. International Symposium on Biotechnology of Tropical and Subtropical Species, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 29 September - 3 October 1997. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1998.461.15

Use of a SCAR-based marker for the early detection of dwarf off-types in micropropagated Cavendish bananas

1998

Journal Article

An efficient interspecific hybridisation protocol for Carica papaya LxC cauliflora Jacq.

Magdalita, P. M., Drew, R. A., Godwin, I. D. and Adkins, S. W. (1998). An efficient interspecific hybridisation protocol for Carica papaya LxC cauliflora Jacq.. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 38 (5), 523-530. doi: 10.1071/EA98066

An efficient interspecific hybridisation protocol for Carica papaya LxC cauliflora Jacq.

1998

Conference Publication

Potential for the use of molecular markers in improvement of Musa for disease resistance - Reviewed paper

Smith, L. W., Aitken, E. A. and Godwin, I. D. (1998). Potential for the use of molecular markers in improvement of Musa for disease resistance - Reviewed paper. International Symposium on Biotechnology of Tropical and Subtropical Species, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 29 September - 3 October 1997. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1998.461.14

Potential for the use of molecular markers in improvement of Musa for disease resistance - Reviewed paper

1998

Journal Article

Loss of genetic diversity associated with selection for resistance to sorghum midge in Australian sorghum

Jordan, D. R., Tao, Y. Z., Godwin, I. D., Henzell, R. G., Cooper, M. and McIntyre, C. L. (1998). Loss of genetic diversity associated with selection for resistance to sorghum midge in Australian sorghum. Euphytica, 102 (1), 1-7. doi: 10.1023/A:1018311908636

Loss of genetic diversity associated with selection for resistance to sorghum midge in Australian sorghum

1998

Conference Publication

An improved protocol for somatic embryogenesis in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)

Samosir, Y. M. S., Godwin, I. D. and Adkins, S. W. (1998). An improved protocol for somatic embryogenesis in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.). International Symposium on Biotechnology of Tropical and Subtropical Species, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 29 September - 3 October 1997. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1998.461.55

An improved protocol for somatic embryogenesis in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)

1998

Conference Publication

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers for a Carica interspecific hybrid

Magdalita, P. M., Godwin, I. D. and Drew, R. A. (1998). Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers for a Carica interspecific hybrid. International Symposium on Biotechnology of Tropical and Subtropical Species, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 29 September - 3 October 1997. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1998.461.12

Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers for a Carica interspecific hybrid

1998

Conference Publication

Identification and characterisation of dwarf off-types from micropropagated Cavendish bananas

Damasco, Olivia P., Smith, Mike K., Adkins, Steve W., Hetherington, Suzan E. and Godwin, Ian D. (1998). Identification and characterisation of dwarf off-types from micropropagated Cavendish bananas. 1st International Symposium on Banana in the Subtropics, Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Spain, 10-14 November 1997. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1998.490.5

Identification and characterisation of dwarf off-types from micropropagated Cavendish bananas

1998

Conference Publication

The effect of exogenous polyamines on somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from Sorghum bicolor and Saccharum spp.

Sargent, H. R., Godwin, I. D. and Adkins, S. W. (1998). The effect of exogenous polyamines on somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from Sorghum bicolor and Saccharum spp.. International Symposium on Biotechnology of Tropical and Subtropical Species, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 29 September - 3 October 1997. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1998.461.53

The effect of exogenous polyamines on somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration from Sorghum bicolor and Saccharum spp.

1997

Journal Article

Screening Carica papaya X C-cauliflora hybrids for resistance to papaya ringspot virus type P

Magdalita, P. M., Persley, D. M., Godwin, I. D., Drew, R. A. and Adkins, S. W. (1997). Screening Carica papaya X C-cauliflora hybrids for resistance to papaya ringspot virus type P. Plant Pathology, 46 (6), 837-841. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-3059.1997.d01-90.x

Screening Carica papaya X C-cauliflora hybrids for resistance to papaya ringspot virus type P

1997

Journal Article

Morphological, molecular and cytological analyses of Carica papaya x C-cauliflora interspecific hybrids

Magdalita, P. M., Drew, R. A., Adkins, S. W. and Godwin, I. D. (1997). Morphological, molecular and cytological analyses of Carica papaya x C-cauliflora interspecific hybrids. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 95 (1-2), 224-229. doi: 10.1007/s001220050552

Morphological, molecular and cytological analyses of Carica papaya x C-cauliflora interspecific hybrids

1997

Journal Article

RAPD polymorphisms among variant and phenotypically normal rice (Oryza sativa var indica) somaclonal progenies

Godwin, I. D., Sangduen, N., Kunanuvatchaidach, R., Piperidis, G. and Adkins, S. W. (1997). RAPD polymorphisms among variant and phenotypically normal rice (Oryza sativa var indica) somaclonal progenies. Plant Cell Reports, 16 (5), 320-324. doi: 10.1007/s002990050231

RAPD polymorphisms among variant and phenotypically normal rice (Oryza sativa var indica) somaclonal progenies

1997

Journal Article

Effect of ethylene and culture environment on development of papaya nodal cultures

Magdalita, P. M., Godwin, I. D., Drew, R. A. and Adkins, S. W. (1997). Effect of ethylene and culture environment on development of papaya nodal cultures. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture, 49 (2), 93-100. doi: 10.1023/A:1005869211684

Effect of ethylene and culture environment on development of papaya nodal cultures

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2027
    Unlocking crop epigenomics to uncover and engineer hidden diversity
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Enhancing drought tolerance and food security in Papua New Guinea: the potential of new taro germplasm
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    North Queensland cotton-grains-cattle farming systems
    CRC for Developing Northern Australia
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Digging deeper to improve yield stability
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2027
    Reducing lodging risk in sorghum to increase grower confidence and profitability
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Evaluating Salinity Tolerance in Diverse Taro (Colocasia) Wild Relatives to enhance Food Security in the Pacific Islands
    Australia & Pacific Science Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2026
    Hy-Gain for Smallholders (2020-2025)
    Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2021 - 2024
    The impact of climate on sorghum utilisation in poultry diet (AgriFutures project administered by the University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2024
    Cereal blueprints for a water-limited world
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Traits of importance for aerobic 'DryRice' varieties for the southern Australian rice industry
    Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2024
    Development of sterile Leucaena to enhance red-meat production in new regions of Australia
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Better sorghum: larger grain with more protein
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Proving that PIN genes are associated with drought adaptation in sorghum: A targeted research project to enhance commercialisation opportunities
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Molecular characterization of complex biological polymers
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Sweet sorghum for high-value sugars
    Queensland-Chinese Academy of Sciences (Q-CAS) Collaborative Science Fund
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Beyond genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes: high throughput analysis of gene and protein expression and function
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Towards the Australian Pollen Allergen Partnership for better management of pollen exposure and respiratory health outcomes
    Allergy and Immunology Foundation of Australasia
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2022
    Developing a foundation for the long-term management of basal stem rot of oil palm in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Sorghum with more feed grain energy: bigger grain with higher starch content
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2014
    A preliminary investigation of basal stem rot in oil palm smallholdings in Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Breaking the nexus: more biomass in cereal grain
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Accelerated crop development and environmental compliance of agricultural and food systems
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Integrating the genome with the abiotic stress tolerance phenome in sorghum
    Go8 Australia - Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Smarter fermentations through starter culture genomics
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2018
    Cold tolerant traits and QTLs for improved efficiency of rice breeding program
    Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Analysis of an engineered seed storage protein gene in transgenic sorghum
    UQ - Purdue University Early Career Mobility Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Environmental monitoring of subtropical grass pollen allergens that contribute to hay fever and asthma
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Phosphorus Use Efficiency (PUE) in Sugarcane Genotypes
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Trait based water efficiency improvement in rice
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    NextGen Sorghum: Genomic approaches to novel renewable bioproducts
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2013
    The control of basal stem rot of oil palm caused by Ganoderma in Solomon Islands
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2013
    eSorghum as a bio-fuel feedstock for arid environments
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Development of sophisticated genotyping methods
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Factors controlling higher-level starch structure
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2010
    Graft copolymers from starch and synthetic monomers
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Methods to improve the nutritional value of sorghum for broilers
    Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Sorghum protein in the manufacture of controlled-release delivery systems for bioactives
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    The wheat phenome atlas and phenome atlas toolbox
    International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Eco-Turf: Water and nutrient use efficient turfgrasses from Australian biodiversity
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Identification of the key attributes affecting starch content and availability in sorghum grain
    CRC for an Internationally Competitive Pork Industry
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2009
    Combining Molecular Plant Physiology And Breeding To Improve Canola (Brassica napus) Performance In Dry Environments
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005
    Adoption Study - Overcoming production constraints to sorghum in rain fed environments in India and Australia (CSI/1994/968)
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant
  • 2005
    Nutriomics of Iron (fe) Sink-Source Relationship in Rice During Grain-filling
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2004
    Atrazine residues in Australian subtropical soils
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2008
    Manipulation of protein and starch quality in sorghum
    Grain Foods CRC Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2007
    Manipulation of Protein and Starch Quality in Sorghum
    Grain Foods CRC Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Travel Grant - DNA Fingerprinting Workshop A/P Ian Godwin, Dr E Mace
    Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Improving moisture stress tolerance of sunflower through enhanced transpiration efficiency
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Improving the digestibility of sorghum grain: Molecular and protein analysis of transgenic sorghum
    University of Queensland Research Development Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2002
    Travel grant - Staff at UQ to attend the 12th Australiasian Plant Breeding Conference, Perth, September 2002
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2002
    Travel Grant for Ian Godwin to attend 10th International Association for Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology Conference, Florida, USA (23-28 June 2002)
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2001
    Travel Grant - Dr Izquierdo, Ms Gray, Mrs Williams, Mr Laidlaw, Mr Donohoe, Mr Parh, Mr Chigeza to attend the 4th Australian Sorghum Conference, Kooralbyn Valley
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2005
    Bioscience Australia Pty Ltd Project - School of Land and Food Science
    Bioscience Australia Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2000
    Travel Grant - Dr Ian Godwin to attend the American Society of Agronomy - Crop Science Society of America Annual Meeting
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2000
    Travel grant- Mr Jason Able to attend the 6th International Congress of Plant Molecular biology - Quebec June 2000
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 1998 - 2003
    Virus indexing and DNA fingerprinting for the international movement and conservation of taro gerplasm
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Attendance at the Plant and Animal Genome VI conference in San Diego, USA, January 1998.
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Travel Scheme for collaborative research by Dr I D Godwin at Instit of Plant Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Molecular analysis of a chloroplast genome rearrangement conferring dwarfism and cold terance in banana
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1999
    Genetic engineering of grain sorgham for improved pest resistance
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Ian Godwin is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Ian Godwin directly for media enquiries about:

  • Biofuel
  • Biomass
  • Biomaterials
  • Cereal quality
  • Crops - genetically modified
  • Crops - grain
  • Farming - GM crops
  • Farming - GM food
  • Food - genetically modified
  • Genetic engineering - plants
  • Genetically modified crops
  • Genetically modified food
  • Genetics - plant
  • Genetics - plants
  • GM crops
  • GM foods
  • Grain crops
  • Plant genetics
  • Plant molecular markers
  • Plants - genetic engineering
  • Sorghum
  • Turf grass

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au