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)

181 - 200 of 266 works

2004

Conference Publication

Investigating the use of sweet sorghum as a model for sugar accumulation in sugarcane

Ritter, K., Chapman, S. C., Jordan, D., Godwin, I. D. and McIntyre, C. L. (2004). Investigating the use of sweet sorghum as a model for sugar accumulation in sugarcane. 4th International Crop Science Congress (4ICSC), Brisbane, QLD Australia, 26 September-1 October 2004. Gosford, NSW Australia: The Regional Institute.

Investigating the use of sweet sorghum as a model for sugar accumulation in sugarcane

2004

Journal Article

Homologues of the maize rust resistance gene Rp1-D are genetically associated with a major rust resistance QTL in sorghum

McIntyre, C. L., Hermann, S. M., Casu, R. E., Knight, D., Drenth, J., Tao, Y., Brumbley, S. M., Godwin, I. D., Williams, S., Smith, G. R. and Manners, J. M. (2004). Homologues of the maize rust resistance gene Rp1-D are genetically associated with a major rust resistance QTL in sorghum. Theoretical and Applied Genetics, 109 (4), 875-883. doi: 10.1007/s00122-004-1702-0

Homologues of the maize rust resistance gene Rp1-D are genetically associated with a major rust resistance QTL in sorghum

2004

Book Chapter

Development of sorghum transformation: organogenic regeneration and gene transfer methods

Gray, S., Zhang, S., Rathus, C. O., Lemaux, P. and Godwin, I. D. (2004). Development of sorghum transformation: organogenic regeneration and gene transfer methods. Sorghum Tissue Culture & Transformation. (pp. 35-44) edited by N. Seetharana and I. Godwin. Enfield (NH), USA: Science Publishers Inc.

Development of sorghum transformation: organogenic regeneration and gene transfer methods

2003

Journal Article

Prediction of hybrid performance in grain sorghum using RFLP markers

Jordan, DR, Tao, Y, Godwin, ID, Henzell, RG, Cooper, M and McIntyre, CL (2003). Prediction of hybrid performance in grain sorghum using RFLP markers. Theoretical And Applied Genetics, 106 (3), 559-567. doi: 10.1007/s00122-002-1144-5

Prediction of hybrid performance in grain sorghum using RFLP markers

2003

Conference Publication

Towards a better understanding of disease resistance in sugarcane and sorghum

Brumbley, S. M., Casu, R. E., Drenth, J., Godwin, I. D., Hermann, S. R., Knight, D., Manners, J. M., Mcintyre, C. L, Smith, G. R., Tao, Y. and Williams, S. B. (2003). Towards a better understanding of disease resistance in sugarcane and sorghum. 4th ISSCT Molecular Biology Workshop - Genome Analysis and Molecular Physiology, Montpelier, France, 7- 4 April 2003.

Towards a better understanding of disease resistance in sugarcane and sorghum

2003

Conference Publication

Activity of three sorghum pathogenesis related class 10 protein gene promoters

Brumbley, S. M., Godwin, I., Hermann, S., Smith, G. R. and Williams, S. (2003). Activity of three sorghum pathogenesis related class 10 protein gene promoters. 8th International Congress of Plant Pathology: Solving Problems in the Real World, Christchurch Convention Centre, New Zealand, 2 - 7 February 2003. Sydney, Australia: Horticulture Australia.

Activity of three sorghum pathogenesis related class 10 protein gene promoters

2002

Journal Article

Development and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in taro (Colocasia esculenta)

Mace, Emma S. and Godwin, Ian D. (2002). Development and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in taro (Colocasia esculenta). Genome, 45 (5), 823-832. doi: 10.1139/G02-045

Development and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in taro (Colocasia esculenta)

2002

Journal Article

A rapid PCR protocol for marker assisted detection of heterozygotes in segregating generations involving 1BL/1RS translocation and normal wheat lines

Nadella, K. D., Peake, A. S., Bariana, H. S., Cooper, M., Godwin, I. D. and Carroll, B. J. (2002). A rapid PCR protocol for marker assisted detection of heterozygotes in segregating generations involving 1BL/1RS translocation and normal wheat lines. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research, 53 (8), 931-938. doi: 10.1071/AR00088

A rapid PCR protocol for marker assisted detection of heterozygotes in segregating generations involving 1BL/1RS translocation and normal wheat lines

2002

Conference Publication

Novel genes for resistance to pathogens and pests in sorghum and sugarcane

Williams, S. B., Hermann, S., Brumbley, S., Smith, G. and Godwin, I. D. (2002). Novel genes for resistance to pathogens and pests in sorghum and sugarcane. ComBio 2002, Sydney, 29 September - 3 October, 2002. Sydney, NSW: Australian Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Inc.

Novel genes for resistance to pathogens and pests in sorghum and sugarcane

2002

Conference Publication

Collection, characterization and conservation of taro (Colocasia esculenta) genetic resources for efficient utilization in breeding

Singh, D., Mace, E., Okpul, T., Godwin, I. D., Mathur, P., Taylor, M.B., Kambuou, R., Ramanatha Rao, V. and Hunter, D. (2002). Collection, characterization and conservation of taro (Colocasia esculenta) genetic resources for efficient utilization in breeding. 12th Australasian Plant Breeding Conference, Perth, Western Australia, 15-20 September, 2002. Perth, W.A.: The Australasian Plant Breeding Association Inc.

Collection, characterization and conservation of taro (Colocasia esculenta) genetic resources for efficient utilization in breeding

2002

Conference Publication

Genetic diversity among the 13 wheat lines used to create base populations for yield improvement by recurrent selection in the Germplasm Enhancement Program

Susanto, D., Cooper, M., Carroll, B. J. and Godwin, I. D. (2002). Genetic diversity among the 13 wheat lines used to create base populations for yield improvement by recurrent selection in the Germplasm Enhancement Program. 12th Australasian Plant Breeding Conference, Perth, Western Australia, 15-20 September, 2002. Perth, W.A.: The Australasian Plant Breeding Association.

Genetic diversity among the 13 wheat lines used to create base populations for yield improvement by recurrent selection in the Germplasm Enhancement Program

2002

Conference Publication

Quantifying the relationship between heterosis and genetic distance for Gray Leaf Spot resistance in eight sub-tropical elite maize inbred lines using simple sequence repeats

Chigeza, G., Tembo, E., Pixley, K., Mwsaka, R., Delacy, I. H. and Godwin, I. D. (2002). Quantifying the relationship between heterosis and genetic distance for Gray Leaf Spot resistance in eight sub-tropical elite maize inbred lines using simple sequence repeats. Plant Breeding for the 11th Millennium, Perth, W.A./Hyatt Regency Perth, 15-20 September, 2002. Perth, W.A.: The Australasian Platn Breeding Association Inc.

Quantifying the relationship between heterosis and genetic distance for Gray Leaf Spot resistance in eight sub-tropical elite maize inbred lines using simple sequence repeats

2002

Conference Publication

Development of durable transgenic johnsongrass mosaic virus resistance in sorghum

Laidlaw, H. K. C., Persley, D., Pallaghy, C. K. and Godwin, I. D. (2002). Development of durable transgenic johnsongrass mosaic virus resistance in sorghum. ComBio 2002, Sydney/Sydney Convention Centre, 30 September - 3 October 2002. Sydney, NSW: Australian Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Inc.

Development of durable transgenic johnsongrass mosaic virus resistance in sorghum

2002

Conference Publication

Retrotransposons and cereal genome instability: barley and the rampant BARE-1 element

Godwin, I. D., Zhang, S., Cho, M-J., Bregitzer, P. and Lemaux, P. (2002). Retrotransposons and cereal genome instability: barley and the rampant BARE-1 element. Plant Breeding for the 11th Millennium, Perth, W.A./Hyatt Regency Perth, 15-20 September, 2002. Perth, W.A.: The Australasian Plant Breeding Association Inc..

Retrotransposons and cereal genome instability: barley and the rampant BARE-1 element

2002

Conference Publication

Exploiting synthetic hexaploid wheats as sources of multiple disease resistance

Zwart, R., Donkin, C., Thompson, J. and Godwin, I. D. (2002). Exploiting synthetic hexaploid wheats as sources of multiple disease resistance. Plant Breeding for the 11th Millennium, Perth, W.A./Hyatt Regency Perth, 15-20 September, 2002. Perth, W.A.: The Australasian Plant Breeding Association Inc..

Exploiting synthetic hexaploid wheats as sources of multiple disease resistance

2002

Conference Publication

Improving sorghum grain quality via genetic engineering

Gray, S., Izquierdo, L., Lemaux, P., Buchanan, B. and Godwin, I. D. (2002). Improving sorghum grain quality via genetic engineering. 12th Australasian Plant Breeding Conference, Perth, Western Australia, 15-20 September, 2002. Perth, W.A.: The Australasian Plant Breeding Association.

Improving sorghum grain quality via genetic engineering

2002

Conference Publication

Association of pollen traits with ergot resistance in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

Parh, D., Jordan, D., Aitken, E. A. B., McIntyre, L. and Godwin, I. D. (2002). Association of pollen traits with ergot resistance in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). Plant Breeding for the 11th Millennium, Perth, W.A./Hyatt Regency Perth, 15-20 September, 2002. Perth, W.A.: The Australasian Plant Breeding Association Inc..

Association of pollen traits with ergot resistance in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

2001

Book Chapter

Genotyping Pacific Island taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) germplasm

Godwin, I. D., Mace, E. and Nurzuhairawaty, (2001). Genotyping Pacific Island taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) germplasm. Plant Genotyping: The DNA Fingerprinting of Plants. (pp. 109-128) edited by R.J. Henry. Oxon, UK: CABI Publishing.

Genotyping Pacific Island taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) germplasm

2001

Conference Publication

GM sorghum: A new generation of designer crops

Gray, S., Izquierdo, L. and Godwin, I. D. (2001). GM sorghum: A new generation of designer crops. 4th Australian Sorghum Conference, The Korralbyn Hotel Resort, Queensland, 5-8 February, 2001. Range Media Pty Ltd.

GM sorghum: A new generation of designer crops

2001

Conference Publication

Development of recommended taro core collection based on molecular characterisation

Mace, E., Godwin, I. D. and Mathur, P. (2001). Development of recommended taro core collection based on molecular characterisation. AusAID/SPC Taro Genetic Resources: Conservation & Utilisation, Suva, Fiji, October, 2001. AusAID.

Development of recommended taro core collection based on molecular characterisation

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

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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

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