
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
2011
Journal Article
Effect of a gibberellin-biosynthesis inhibitor treatment on the physicochemical properties of sorghum starch
Li, Enpeng, Hasjim, Jovin, Dhital, Sushil, Godwin, Ian D. and Gilbert, Robert G. (2011). Effect of a gibberellin-biosynthesis inhibitor treatment on the physicochemical properties of sorghum starch. Journal of Cereal Science, 53 (3), 328-334. doi: 10.1016/j.jcs.2011.02.002
2011
Journal Article
IRAP, a retrotransposon-based marker system for the detection of somaclonal variation in barley
Campbell, Bradley C., LeMare, Sophie, Piperidis, George and Godwin, Ian D. (2011). IRAP, a retrotransposon-based marker system for the detection of somaclonal variation in barley. Molecular Breeding, 27 (2), 193-206. doi: 10.1007/s11032-010-9422-4
2011
Conference Publication
Gibberellin-biosynthesis inhibitor treatment on sorghum plants does not affect the structural properties of the starch
Li, Enpeng, Hasjim, Jovin, Dhital, Sushil, Godwin, Ian D. and Gilbert, Robert G. (2011). Gibberellin-biosynthesis inhibitor treatment on sorghum plants does not affect the structural properties of the starch. Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, USA, 11-14 June 2011.
2011
Conference Publication
The effects of trinexapac-ethyl treatment on the physicochemical properties of sorghum starch
Li, Enpeng, Hasjim, Jovin, Dhital, Sushil, Godwin, Ian D and Gilbert, Robert G (2011). The effects of trinexapac-ethyl treatment on the physicochemical properties of sorghum starch. Australian Food Science Summer School, Brisbane, Australia, 9-11 February 2011.
2011
Conference Publication
The effects of high growing-temperature on the structure of sorghum starch
Li, Enpeng, Hasjim, Jovin, Singh, Vijaya, Tizzotti, Morgan, Godwin, Ian D. and Gilbert, Robert G. (2011). The effects of high growing-temperature on the structure of sorghum starch. 61st Australian Cereal Chemistry Conference, Coolongatta, NSW, Australia, 4-8 September 2011.
2011
Conference Publication
Effects of high growing temperature on starch structure in sorghum grains
Li, Enpeng, Hasjim, Jovin, Singh, Vijaya, Tizzotti, Morgan, Godwin, Ian D. and Gilbert, Robert G. (2011). Effects of high growing temperature on starch structure in sorghum grains. American Association of Cereal Chemists (AACC) International Conference, Palm Springs, CA, United States, 16-19 October 2011.
2010
Journal Article
Characterization, inheritance, and molecular study of opaque leaf mutant in mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek)
Rungnoi, Ornuma, Chanprem, Sonthichai, Toojinda, Theerayut, Godwin, Ian, Lambrides, Chris and Srinives, Peerasak (2010). Characterization, inheritance, and molecular study of opaque leaf mutant in mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek). Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology, 13 (4), 219-226. doi: 10.1007/s12892-010-0059-y
2010
Journal Article
A QTL controlling low temperature induced spikelet sterility at booting stage in rice
Ye, C., Fukai, S., Godwin, I. D., Koh, H., Reinke, R., Zhou, Y., Lambrides, C., Jiang, W., Snell, P. and Redona, E (2010). A QTL controlling low temperature induced spikelet sterility at booting stage in rice. Euphytica, 176 (3), 291-301. doi: 10.1007/s10681-010-0226-8
2010
Journal Article
Development and characterization of microsatellite loci for Khaya senegalensis (Meliaceae)
Sexton, G. J., Frere, C. H., Dieters, M. J., Godwin, I. D. and Prentis, P. J. (2010). Development and characterization of microsatellite loci for Khaya senegalensis (Meliaceae). American Journal of Botany, 97 (11), E111-E113. doi: 10.3732/ajb.1000300
2010
Journal Article
Allelic variation of the β-, γ- and δ-kafirin genes in diverse Sorghum genotypes
Laidlaw, H.K.C., Mace, E.S., Williams, S.B., Sakrewski, K., Mudge, A.M., Prentis, P.J., Jordan, D.R. and Godwin, I.D. (2010). Allelic variation of the β-, γ- and δ-kafirin genes in diverse Sorghum genotypes. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 121 (7), 1227-1237. doi: 10.1007/s00122-010-1383-9
2010
Journal Article
Characterization and multiplexing of EST-SSR primers in Cynodon (Poaceae) species
Jewell, MC, Frere, CH, Prentis, PJ, Lambrides, CJ and Godwin, ID (2010). Characterization and multiplexing of EST-SSR primers in Cynodon (Poaceae) species. American Journal of Botany, 97 (10), E99-E101. doi: 10.3732/ajb.1000254
2010
Book Chapter
Development of a regional core collection (Oceania) for taro, Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, based on molecular and phenotypic characterization
Mace, E. S., Mathur, P. N., Godwin, I. D., Hunter, D., Taylor, M. B., Singh, D., DeLacy, I. H. and Jackson, G. V. H. (2010). Development of a regional core collection (Oceania) for taro, Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, based on molecular and phenotypic characterization. The Global Diversity of Taro: Ethnobotany and Conservation. (pp. 185-201) edited by V. Ramanatha Rao, P. J. Matthews, P. B. Eyzaguirre and D. Hunter. Rome, Italy: Bioversity International.
2010
Conference Publication
Eco-turf: Water use efficient turfgrasses from Australian biodiversity
Kearns, R., Zhou, Yi, Fukai, Shu, Ye, Changrong, Loch, D., Godwin, I., Holton, T., Innes, D., Stirling, H., Cao, Ninh, Jewell, M., Duff, A. and Lambrides, C. (2010). Eco-turf: Water use efficient turfgrasses from Australian biodiversity. VIth International Symposium on In Vitro Culture and Horticultural Breeding, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 24-28 August, 2008. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science.
2010
Book Chapter
Transgenic plants for abiotic stress resistance
Jewell, Margaret C., Campbell, Bradley C. and Godwin, Ian D. (2010). Transgenic plants for abiotic stress resistance. Transgenic Crop Plants. (pp. 67-132) edited by Chittaranjan Kole, Charles H. Michler, Albert G. Abbott and Timothy C. Hall. Heidelberg, Germany: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-04812-8_2
2009
Journal Article
Multifunctional grains for the future: genetic engineering for enhanced and novel cereal quality
Godwin, I.D., Williams, S.B., Pandit, P.S. and Laidlaw, H.K.C. (2009). Multifunctional grains for the future: genetic engineering for enhanced and novel cereal quality. In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-plant, 45 (4), 383-399. doi: 10.1007/s11627-008-9175-5
2009
Conference Publication
The use of infrared thermometer to detect drought resistance of green couch grass (Cynodon sp.) genotypes collected from the world'd driest inhabited continent
Zhou, Y., Fukai, S., Cao, N., Ye, C. R., Le, T., Loch, D., Godwin, I., O'Brien, C., Dunne, R., Giles, H., Wilson, M., Halliday, M. and Lambrides, C. (2009). The use of infrared thermometer to detect drought resistance of green couch grass (Cynodon sp.) genotypes collected from the world'd driest inhabited continent. The 3rd International Conference on Integrated Approaches to Improve Crop Production Under Drought Prone Environments, Shanghai, China, 11-16 October 2009.
2009
Journal Article
Cold tolerance in rice varieties at different growth stages
Ye, C., Fukai, S., Godwin, I., Reinke, R., Snell, P., Schiller, J. and Basnayake, J. (2009). Cold tolerance in rice varieties at different growth stages. Crop and Pasture Science, 60 (4), 328-338. doi: 10.1071/CP09006
2009
Conference Publication
Identifying genetic resources and QTL for cold tolerance in rice
Ye, C., Fukai, S., Godwin, I., Reinke, R., Snell, P. and Koh, H. (2009). Identifying genetic resources and QTL for cold tolerance in rice. 14th Australasian Plant Breeding Conference (APBC) and the 11th Congress of the Society for the Advancement of Breeding Research in Asia and Oceania (SABRAO), Cairns, Australia, 10-14 August 2009. Bangkok, Thailand: Society for the Advancement of Breeding Researches in Asia and Oceania.
2008
Journal Article
Identification of QTL for sugar-related traits in a sweet x grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) recombinant inbred population
Ritter, KB, Jordan, DR, Chapman, SC, Godwin, ID, Mace, ES and McIntyre, CL (2008). Identification of QTL for sugar-related traits in a sweet x grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) recombinant inbred population. Molecular Breeding, 22 (3), 367-384. doi: 10.1007/s11032-008-9182-6
2008
Journal Article
Iron-fortified parboiled rice: A novel solution to high iron density in rice-based diets
Prom-u-thai, Chanakan, Fukai, Shu, Godwin, Ian D., Rerkasem, Benjavan and Huang, Longbin (2008). Iron-fortified parboiled rice: A novel solution to high iron density in rice-based diets. Food Chemistry, 110 (2), 390-398. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.02.043
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Ian Godwin is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
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
Improving meiotic recombination frequency in sorghum using gene editing
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Karen Massel
-
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
-
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
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
-
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
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
Grain Proteomics of Sorghum: Improving Digestibility, Nutritional Quality and Starch Conversion to Ethanol
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
-
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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