
Overview
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
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.
Works
Search Professor Ian Godwin’s works on UQ eSpace
1997
Journal Article
Application of inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers to plant genetics
Godwin, ID, AitkenEAB and SmithLW (1997). Application of inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers to plant genetics. Electrophoresis, 18 (9), 1524-1528. doi: 10.1002/elps.1150180906
1997
Journal Article
Genetic analysis of preharvest sprouting tolerance in three wheat crosses
Lawson, W. R., Godwin, I. D., Cooper, M. and Brennan, P. S. (1997). Genetic analysis of preharvest sprouting tolerance in three wheat crosses. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 48 (2), 215-221. doi: 10.1071/A96071
1997
Journal Article
Micropropagated dwarf off-type Cavendish bananas (Musa spp, AAA) show improved tolerance to suboptimal temperatures
Damasco, Olivia P., Smith, Mike K., Godwin, Ian D., Adkins, Steve W., Smillie, Robert M. and Hetherington, Suzan E. (1997). Micropropagated dwarf off-type Cavendish bananas (Musa spp, AAA) show improved tolerance to suboptimal temperatures. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 48 (3), 377-384. doi: 10.1071/A96168
1996
Journal Article
Phylogenetic position of hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii)
Graham, G. C., Henry, R. J., Godwin, I. D. and Nikles, D. G. (1996). Phylogenetic position of hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii). Australian Systematic Botany, 9 (6), 893-902. doi: 10.1071/SB9960893
1996
Journal Article
Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) detection of dwarf off-types in micropropagated Cavendish (Musa spp AAA) bananas
Damasco, Olivia P. , Graham, Glenn C., Henry, Robert J., Adkins, Stephen W., Smith, Mike K. and Godwin, Ian D. (1996). Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) detection of dwarf off-types in micropropagated Cavendish (Musa spp AAA) bananas. Plant Cell Reports , 16 (1-2), 118-123. doi: 10.1007/BF01275464
1996
Journal Article
Comparison of DNA marker technologies in characterizing plant genome diversity: variability in Chinese sorghums
Yang, W.P., deOliveira, A.C., Godwin, I., Schertz, K. and Bennetzen, J.L. (1996). Comparison of DNA marker technologies in characterizing plant genome diversity: variability in Chinese sorghums. Crop Science, 36 (6), 1669-1676. doi: 10.2135/cropsci1996.0011183X003600060042x
1996
Journal Article
The hypersensitive reaction to bacterial canker in Mirabilis jalapa is simply inherited
Hibberd, A. M., Piperidis, G. and Godwin, I. D. (1996). The hypersensitive reaction to bacterial canker in Mirabilis jalapa is simply inherited. Australasian Plant Pathology, 25 (1), 64-67. doi: 10.1071/AP96011
1996
Journal Article
Gibberellic acid detection of dwarf offtypes in micropropagated Cavendish bananas
Damasco, O.P., Godwin, I.D., Smith, M.K. and Adkins, S.W. (1996). Gibberellic acid detection of dwarf offtypes in micropropagated Cavendish bananas. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 36 (2), 237-241. doi: 10.1071/EA9960237
1996
Journal Article
An improved embryo-rescue protocol for a Carica interspecific hybrid
Magdalita, P. M., Adkins, S. W., Godwin, I. D. and Drew, R. A. (1996). An improved embryo-rescue protocol for a Carica interspecific hybrid. Australian Journal of Botany, 44 (3), 343-353. doi: 10.1071/BT9960343
1996
Journal Article
Gibberellic acid detection of dwarf offtypes in micropropagated Cavendish bananas (vol 36, pg 237, 1996)
Damasco, OF, Godwin, ID, Smith, MK and Adkins, SW (1996). Gibberellic acid detection of dwarf offtypes in micropropagated Cavendish bananas (vol 36, pg 237, 1996). AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL AGRICULTURE, 36 (6), 237-241.
1995
Journal Article
Assessment of genome origins and genetic diversity in the genus Eleusine with DNA markers
Salimath, Shanmukhaswami S., de Oliveira, Antonio C., Godwin, Ian D. and Bennetzen, Jeffrey L. (1995). Assessment of genome origins and genetic diversity in the genus Eleusine with DNA markers. Genome, 38 (4), 757-763. doi: 10.1139/g95-096
1995
Journal Article
An efficient in vitro regeneration system for Australian-grown chickpea (Cicer arietinum) cultivars
Adkins, A. L., Godwin, I. D. and Adkins, S. W. (1995). An efficient in vitro regeneration system for Australian-grown chickpea (Cicer arietinum) cultivars. Australian Journal of Botany, 43 (5), 491-497. doi: 10.1071/BT9950491
1995
Journal Article
Somaclonal variation in rice: Drought tolerance and other agronomic characters
Adkins, S. W., Kunanuvatchaidach, R. and Godwin, I. D. (1995). Somaclonal variation in rice: Drought tolerance and other agronomic characters. Australian Journal of Botany, 43 (2), 201-209. doi: 10.1071/BT9950201
1995
Journal Article
High efficiency plant regeneration from callus induced on mature indica rice caryopses
Kunanuvatchaidach, R., Godwin, I. D. and Adkins, S. W. (1995). High efficiency plant regeneration from callus induced on mature indica rice caryopses. Australian Journal of Botany, 43 (3), 337-348. doi: 10.1071/BT9950337
1994
Journal Article
Interpretation of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA marker data for fingerprinting sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) genotypes
Connolly, A. G., Godwin, I. D., Cooper, M. and DeLacy, I. H. (1994). Interpretation of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA marker data for fingerprinting sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) genotypes. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 88 (3-4), 332-336. doi: 10.1007/BF00223641
1994
Conference Publication
Transgenic grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) plants via Agrobacterium
Godwin, I. D. and Chickwamba, R. (1994). Transgenic grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) plants via Agrobacterium. Royal Australian Chemical Institute, Cereal Chemistry Division Symposium on Improvement of Cereal Quality by Genetic Engineering, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 12-16 September 1993. New York, NY, United States: Plenum.
1992
Journal Article
In vitro approaches to extending the host-range of Agrobacterium for plant transformation
Godwin, I. D., Ford-Lloyd, B. V. and Newbury, H. J. (1992). In vitro approaches to extending the host-range of Agrobacterium for plant transformation. Australian Journal of Botany, 40 (6), 751-763. doi: 10.1071/BT9920751
1991
Journal Article
The effects of acetosyringone and pH on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation vary according to plant species
Godwin, Ian, Todd, Gordon, Ford-Lloyd, Brian and Newbury, H. John (1991). The effects of acetosyringone and pH on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation vary according to plant species. PLANT CELL REPORTS, 9 (12), 671-675. doi: 10.1007/BF00235354
1990
Journal Article
Variation among somaclonal progenies from three species of Stylosanthes
Godwin, I. D., Cameron, D. F. and Gordon, G. H. (1990). Variation among somaclonal progenies from three species of Stylosanthes. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 41 (4), 645-656. doi: 10.1071/AR9900645
1987
Other Outputs
Somaclonal variation in the plant improvement of tropical pasture legumes of Stylosanthes
Godwin, Ian Douglas (1987). Somaclonal variation in the plant improvement of tropical pasture legumes of Stylosanthes. PhD Thesis, School of Land, Crop and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2017.680
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Ian Godwin is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Nitrogen use dynamics in high protein gene edited sorghum
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Karen Massel, Dr Peter Crisp, Dr Millicent Smith
-
Doctor Philosophy
Modification of root system architecture to increase climate resilience in barley
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lee Hickey, Dr Karen Massel, Dr Hannah Robinson
-
Doctor Philosophy
Modification of root system architecture to increase climate resilience in barley
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lee Hickey, Dr Hannah Robinson, Dr Karen Massel
-
Master Philosophy
Canopy manipulation of Sorghum and Maize to create more efficient, stress tolerant plants with increased yield.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Vivi Arief
-
Master Philosophy
Canopy Manipulation of Sorghum to create a more efficient, stress tolerant plant with increased yield.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Vivi Arief
-
Doctor Philosophy
Using epigenomics to discover and modify hidden genetic control elements for crop improvement
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Peter Crisp
-
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating Diverse Taro (Colocasia) Germplasm to Enhance Food Security and Climate Resilience in the Pacific Islands
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Scott Chapman, Dr Eric Dinglasan, Dr Millicent Smith, Dr Bradley Campbell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating and bioengineering grain quality in sorghum
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Marina Fortes, Associate Professor Milos Tanurdžić, Dr Peter Crisp
-
Doctor Philosophy
TRANSCRIPTOMIC ANALYSIS OF OIL PALM (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) TOLERANT POPULATION IN RESPONSE TO Ganoderma boninense Pat. INFECTION
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Agnieszka Mudge
-
Doctor Philosophy
Using epigenomics to discover and modify hidden genetic control elements for crop improvement
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Peter Crisp
-
Doctor Philosophy
Improving the efficiency of selection in hybrid maize breeding in Ethiopia through advanced statistical models
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Jordan, Professor Emma Mace, Dr Alison Kelly
-
Doctor Philosophy
Improving the efficiency of selection in hybrid maize breeding in Ethiopia through advanced statistical models
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Jordan, Professor Emma Mace, Dr Alison Kelly
-
Doctor Philosophy
Improving meiotic recombination frequency in sorghum using gene editing
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Karen Massel
-
Doctor Philosophy
Harnessing natural genetic variation and genome engineering to optimise barley root systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Karen Massel, Dr Peter Crisp, Professor Lee Hickey, Dr Hannah Robinson
Completed supervision
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Building Blocks for Designer Ideotypes: Dissecting Plant Architecture Genes using CRISPR/Cas9
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Erik Van Oosterom, Professor Lee Hickey, Dr Karen Massel
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Optimising molecular tools to study nitrogen utilisation for grain protein storage in Sorghum bicolor
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jimmy Botella, Professor Emma Mace
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
The journey of nitrate from source to sink in Sorghum bicolor: Uncovering the physiology and gene expression of nitrate storage, mobilisation, assimilation and remobilisation in sorghum
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Susanne Schmidt, Professor Emma Mace
-
2017
Master Philosophy
Genome wide analysis and allele mining of diverse sorghum genes involved in nitrogen use efficiency
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Susanne Schmidt, Professor Emma Mace
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Manipulating seed storage proteins to enhance sorghum digestibility
Principal Advisor
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic characterization of flowering time in sorghum
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Jordan, Professor Emma Mace, Dr Erik Van Oosterom
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Grain Proteomics of Sorghum: Improving Digestibility, Nutritional Quality and Starch Conversion to Ethanol
Principal Advisor
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic variation, species diversity, ploidy distribution, and origins of Australian Cynodon
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Christopher Lambrides
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
SWEETPOTATO (IPOMOEA BATATAS (L.) LAM.)YIELD DECLINE: THE ACTIVITY AND INVOLVEMENT OF RETROTRANSPOSONS
Principal Advisor
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
THE ROLE AND POTENTIAL CONTROL OF RETROTRANSPOSONS IN SOMACLONAL VARIATION OF BARLEY TRANSGENICS
Principal Advisor
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic manipulation of grain storage protein digestibility in sorghum
Principal Advisor
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular Characterisation of the Alpha-Kafirin Multigene Family for the Genetic Improvement of Sorghum Grain Quality
Principal Advisor
-
2007
Doctor Philosophy
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE GENETICS AND PHYSIOLOGY OF SUGAR ACCUMULATION IN SWEET SORGHUM AS A POTENTIAL MODEL FOR SUGARCANE
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Scott Chapman, Professor David Jordan
-
2007
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic Diversity and Variability in Grain Quality of Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor L.Moench) Landraces from North-Eastern Ethiopia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Jordan
-
2005
Doctor Philosophy
DNA BASED MARKERS FOR ERGOT RESISTANCE IN SORGHUM
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Aitken, Professor David Jordan
-
2005
Doctor Philosophy
INVESTIGATING THE SORGHUM TRANSFORMATION SYSTEM AND TRANSGENIC DISEASE RESISTANCE
Principal Advisor
-
2004
Doctor Philosophy
AN EVALUATION OF MARKER ASSISTED SELECTION (MAS) STRATEGIES FOR GENETIC IMPROVEMENT OF WHEAT
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Cooper
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
MARKER CHARACTERISATION AND VALIDATION IN BREEDING PROGRAMS FOR RUST RESISTANCE IN SUNFLOWERS, Helianthis annuus l.
Principal Advisor
-
2003
Master Philosophy
GENETIC DIVERSITY STUDIES OF MAIZE GERMPLASM IN ZIMBABWE USING MOLECULAR MARKERS
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Emma Mace
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
BREEDING WHEAT FOR DISEASE RESISTANCE TO ROOT-LESION NEMATODE (Pratylenchus thornei)
Principal Advisor
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Improving the efficiency of selection in hybrid maize breeding in Ethiopia through advanced statistical models
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Jordan, Professor Emma Mace, Dr Alison Kelly
-
2023
Master Philosophy
Investigating the genetics and value of root traits to support yield in barley
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Samir Alahmad, Professor Lee Hickey
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Sorghum as a Novel Biomass for the Sustainable Production of Cellulose Nanofibres: An inquiry into Quality, Sustainability, and Statistical Variability
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Celine Chaleat, Professor Darren Martin
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Manipulation of plant architecture genes in sorghum to manage drought adaptation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Erik Van Oosterom
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Mining the Vavilov wheat diversity panel for new sources of adult plant resistance to stripe rust
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Aitken, Professor Lee Hickey
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
New tools and sources of genetic resistance to breed yellow spot resistant wheat
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lee Hickey
-
2017
Master Philosophy
MICROSCOPIC ANALYSIS OF OIL PALM (ELAEIS GUINEENSIS) INFECTION BY GANODERMA BONINENSE
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Agnieszka Mudge
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Genetic differentiation, heterotic performance and grain yield determinate traits of locally adapted sorghum genotypes in contrasting environments in Ethiopia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Jordan, Professor Emma Mace
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Facilitating the Process of Controlling Starch Structure Through Starch-branching Enzymes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bob Gilbert, Professor Mark Turner
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Octenylsuccinylated starches: Structure and function
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bob Gilbert
-
2013
Master Philosophy
Characterisation of vegetative bermudagrasses (Cynodon spp.) for turf use in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Christopher Lambrides
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
The Genetic Diversity of Khaya senegalensis Across Tropical Africa
Associate Advisor
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Characterization of environmental and genetic effects on sorghum starch structure and functional properties
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bob Gilbert
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Genomic regions controlling the expression of adult plant resistance to leaf rust, partial resistance to powdery mildew and grain dormancy in a barley population
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Elizabeth Aitken
-
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Transgenic approaches to foreign protein expression in sorghum grain
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Kathryn Steadman
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
The role of Protease in unlocking the nutritive value of Sorgum grain for Pigs
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mike Gidley
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Combining physiology and molecular biology to improve drought performance of canola (Brassica napus)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Christopher Lambrides
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
The Physiology and Genetics of Height-Yield Associations in Sorghum
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Jordan, Professor Graeme Hammer
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
GENETIC ANALYSIS OF IMPORTANT TRAITS FOR CONFECTIONERY SUNFLOWER IN AUSTRALIA
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Christopher Lambrides
-
2003
Doctor Philosophy
STRESS FACTORS INFLUENCING SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS AND REGENERATION FROM CALLUS, CELL SUSPENSION AND PROTOPLAST CULTURES IN POACEAE
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Adkins
-
2002
Doctor Philosophy
HETEROLOGOUS TRANSPOSON TAGGING IN TOMATO USING THE DEM GENE AS A NOVEL EXCISION MARKER
Associate Advisor
Media
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
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