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Dr Alice Hayward
Dr

Alice Hayward

Email: 

Overview

Background

Alice is a plant molecular physiologist leading a strong outcome-driven team at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation. Her team focuses on plant tissue culture as a platform technology delivering solutions for agriculture and ecosystems. This includes developing commercial-scale methods for year-round propagation of clean, true-to-type plants for horticultural industries, with impacts for growers, supply chains and breeding programs. This technology is also being adapated to accelerate horticultural crop improvement using gene editing and non-GM in vitro breeding tools for trees and vegetables. Her team boasts leading experts in cryopreservation for long-term conservation of plant genetic diversity - essenital to secure the breeding materials critical for Australia's tropical crops and endangered biodiveristy. Example projects with impact include: 1) Commercial-scale tissue culture pipelines for propagation of species including avocado, turmeric and macadamia, 2) Cryopreservation success for securing the germplasm of avocado and macadamia, and 3) The first in vitro conservation tools developed for Australian native plants critically impacted by pandemic myrtle rust - one of the biggest biosecurity threats to Australia's ecosystems. She is also exploring exciting innovations in plant tissue culture including cellular horticulture. She is passionate to support industry access to highest quality disease free planting materials and preserve the plant species that are core to our ecosystems and food production systems. Her vision is to support the adaptibility and security of our food- and eco- systems in response to global change.

Availability

Dr Alice Hayward is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Platform tools for horticultural advancement

    Developing platform technologies to advance horticultural production and sustainability nationally and globally

  • Plant molecular biology to understand the physiological and molecular basis of plant development and productivity

  • Plant cryopreservation - conservation of plant species that can not be seed banked

    critical for insuring the germplasm of our recalcitrant tropical crops for the future of our industries and food production. Also critical to conserve the genetics of endangered species under extraordinary threats in situ

  • Plant tissue culture as a platform technology for crop advancement and sustainable producition

Works

Search Professor Alice Hayward’s works on UQ eSpace

80 works between 2003 and 2024

21 - 40 of 80 works

2020

Conference Publication

Carotenoid profiling of orange-coloured capsicums: In search of high-zeaxanthin varieties for eye health

Agarwal, Rimjhim, Hong, Hung T., Hayward, Alice, Harper, Stephen, Mitter, Neena and O’Hare, Tim J. (2020). Carotenoid profiling of orange-coloured capsicums: In search of high-zeaxanthin varieties for eye health. 1st International Electronic Conference on Food Science and Functional Foods, Online, 10–25 November, 2020. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/foods_2020-07717

Carotenoid profiling of orange-coloured capsicums: In search of high-zeaxanthin varieties for eye health

2020

Conference Publication

Temporary silencing targeted plant genes with exogenous application of dsRNA

Nak, W., Hayward, A., Gleeson, M. and Mitter, N. (2020). Temporary silencing targeted plant genes with exogenous application of dsRNA. International Horticultural Congress IHC2018: V International Symposium on Plant Genetic Resources and International Symposium on Applied Functional Molecular Biology, Istanbul, Turkey, 12-16 August 2018. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2020.1297.79

Temporary silencing targeted plant genes with exogenous application of dsRNA

2020

Conference Publication

Structural relation for acclimatization success for in vitro cultured avocado

Hiti-Bandaralage, J. C.A., Hayward, A. and Mitter, N. (2020). Structural relation for acclimatization success for in vitro cultured avocado. XXX International Horticultural Congress IHC2018: II International Symposium on Micropropagation and In Vitro Techniques, Istanbul, Turkey, 8 July 2020. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2020.1285.39

Structural relation for acclimatization success for in vitro cultured avocado

2020

Journal Article

First report on cryopreservation of mature shoot tips of two avocado (Persea americana Mill.) rootstocks

O'Brien, C., Hiti-Bandaralage, J. C. A., Folgado, R., Lahmeyer, S., Hayward, A., Folsom, J. and Mitter, N. (2020). First report on cryopreservation of mature shoot tips of two avocado (Persea americana Mill.) rootstocks. Plant Cell Tissue and Organ Culture, 144 (1), 103-113. doi: 10.1007/s11240-020-01861-y

First report on cryopreservation of mature shoot tips of two avocado (Persea americana Mill.) rootstocks

2020

Journal Article

A method to increase regrowth of vitrified shoot tips of avocado (Persea americana Mill.): First critical step in developing a cryopreservation protocol

O’Brien, C., Hiti-Bandaralage, J., Folgado, R., Lahmeyer, S., Hayward, A., Folsom, J. and Mitter, N. (2020). A method to increase regrowth of vitrified shoot tips of avocado (Persea americana Mill.): First critical step in developing a cryopreservation protocol. Scientia Horticulturae, 266 109305, 109305. doi: 10.1016/j.scienta.2020.109305

A method to increase regrowth of vitrified shoot tips of avocado (Persea americana Mill.): First critical step in developing a cryopreservation protocol

2020

Journal Article

Phase change related microRNA profiles in the plant regeneration process of avocado through shoot-tip culture

Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni, Hayward, Alice, O’Brien, Chris, Ahsan, Umair, Gleeson, Madeline, Xue, Yuxin and Mitter, Neena (2020). Phase change related microRNA profiles in the plant regeneration process of avocado through shoot-tip culture. Annals of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, 4 (2). doi: 10.22606/as.2020.42001

Phase change related microRNA profiles in the plant regeneration process of avocado through shoot-tip culture

2020

Conference Publication

Investigating new methods to increase adventitious root formation

Nak, William, Hayward, Alice and Mitter, Neena (2020). Investigating new methods to increase adventitious root formation. The Third International Tropical Agriculture Conference TropAg 2019 , Brisbane, QLD Australia, 11-13 November 2019. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036052

Investigating new methods to increase adventitious root formation

2020

Book Chapter

Advances in avocado propagation for the sustainable supply of planting materials

Hiti-Bandaralage, Jayeni, Hayward, Alice, O’Brien, Chris, Gleeson, Madeleine, Nak, William and Mitter, Neena (2020). Advances in avocado propagation for the sustainable supply of planting materials. Achieving sustainable cultivation of tropical fruits. (pp. 215-237) Cambridge, United Kingdom: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing. doi: 10.19103/as.2019.0054.19

Advances in avocado propagation for the sustainable supply of planting materials

2020

Book Chapter

Avocado transcriptomic resources

Shaw, Lindsay, Nath, Onkar, Fletcher, Stephen, Henry, Robert, Mitter, Neena and Hayward, Alice (2020). Avocado transcriptomic resources. Reference Module in Food Science. (pp. 544-557) Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-08-100596-5.22733-9

Avocado transcriptomic resources

2020

Conference Publication

Developing a cryopreservation protocol for avocado (Persea americana Mill.) apical shoot tips using different antioxidants

O’Brien, C., Hiti-Bandaralage, J.C.A., Folgado, R., Lahmeyer, S., Hayward, A. and Mitter, N. (2020). Developing a cryopreservation protocol for avocado (Persea americana Mill.) apical shoot tips using different antioxidants. International Horticultural Congress, Istanbul, Turkey, 12-16 August 2018. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2020.1285.3

Developing a cryopreservation protocol for avocado (Persea americana Mill.) apical shoot tips using different antioxidants

2019

Conference Publication

Avocado genome sequencing and development of genetic markers for breeding and germplasm identification

Nath, O., Shaw, L. M., Hayward, A., Fletcher, S., Albert, V., Henry, R. and Mitter, N. (2019). Avocado genome sequencing and development of genetic markers for breeding and germplasm identification. TropAg 2019, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 11-13 November 2019.

Avocado genome sequencing and development of genetic markers for breeding and germplasm identification

2019

Journal Article

Scion control of miRNA abundance and tree maturity in grafted avocado

Ahsan, Muhammad Umair, Hayward, Alice, Alam, Mobashwer, Bandaralage, Jayeni Hiti, Topp, Bruce, Beveridge, Christine Anne and Mitter, Neena (2019). Scion control of miRNA abundance and tree maturity in grafted avocado. BMC Plant Biology, 19 (1) 382, 382. doi: 10.1186/s12870-019-1994-5

Scion control of miRNA abundance and tree maturity in grafted avocado

2019

Journal Article

The avocado genome informs deep angiosperm phylogeny, highlights introgressive hybridization, and reveals pathogen-influenced gene space adaptation

Rendon-Anaya, Martha, Ibarra-Laclette, Enrique, Mendez-Bravo, Alfonso, Lan, Tianying, Zheng, Chunfang, Carretero-Paulet, Lorenzo, Anahi Perez-Torres, Claudia, Chacon-Lopez, Alejandra, Hernandez-Guzman, Gustavo, Chang, Tien-Hao, Farr, Kimberly M., Barbazuk, W. Brad, Chamala, Srikar, Mutwil, Marek, Shivhare, Devendra, Alvarez-Ponce, David, Mitter, Neena, Hayward, Alice, Fletcher, Stephen, Rozas, Julio, Sanchez Gracia, Alejandro, Kuhn, David, Barrientos-Priego, Alejandro F., Salojarvi, Jarkko, Librado, Pablo, Sankoff, David, Herrera-Estrella, Alfredo, Albert, Victor A. and Herrera-Estrella, Luis (2019). The avocado genome informs deep angiosperm phylogeny, highlights introgressive hybridization, and reveals pathogen-influenced gene space adaptation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 116 (34), 17081-17089. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1822129116

The avocado genome informs deep angiosperm phylogeny, highlights introgressive hybridization, and reveals pathogen-influenced gene space adaptation

2019

Journal Article

Juvenility and vegetative phase transition in tropical/subtropical tree crops

Ahsan, Muhammad Umair, Hayward, Alice, Irihimovitch, Vered, Fletcher, Stephen, Tanurdzic, Milos, Pocock, Alexander, Beveridge, Christine Anne and Mitter, Neena (2019). Juvenility and vegetative phase transition in tropical/subtropical tree crops. Frontiers in Plant Science, 10 729, 729. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00729

Juvenility and vegetative phase transition in tropical/subtropical tree crops

2019

Other Outputs

The Avocado Genome Informs Deep Angiosperm Phylogeny, Highlights Introgressive Hybridization, and Reveals Pathogen-Influenced Gene Space Adaptation

Rendón-Anaya, Martha, Ibarra-Laclette, Enrique, Bravo, Alfonso Méndez, Lan, Tianying, Zheng, Chunfang, Carretero-Paulet, Lorenzo, Perez-Torres, Claudia Anahí, Chacón-López, Alejandra, Hernandez-Guzmán, Gustavo, Chang, Tien-Hao, Farr, Kimberly M., Barbazuk, W. Brad, Chamala, Srikar, Mutwil, Marek, Shivhare, Devendra, Alvarez-Ponce, David, Mitter, Neena, Hayward, Alice, Fletcher, Stephen, Rozas, Julio, Gracia, Alejandro Sánchez, Kuhn, David, Barrientos-Priego, Alejandro F., Salojärvi, Jarkko, Librado, Pablo, Sankoff, David, Herrera-Estrella, Alfredo, Albert, Victor A. and Herrera-Estrella, Luis (2019). The Avocado Genome Informs Deep Angiosperm Phylogeny, Highlights Introgressive Hybridization, and Reveals Pathogen-Influenced Gene Space Adaptation. doi: 10.1101/654285

The Avocado Genome Informs Deep Angiosperm Phylogeny, Highlights Introgressive Hybridization, and Reveals Pathogen-Influenced Gene Space Adaptation

2019

Conference Publication

The Use Of Sucrose Pre-Culture For Cryopreservation Of Avocado (Persea Americana Mill.) Cultivar ‘Velvick’

O'Brien, Chris, Bandaralage, Jayeni Hiti, Folgado, Raquel, Lahmeyer, Sean, Hayward, Alice and Mitter, Neena (2019). The Use Of Sucrose Pre-Culture For Cryopreservation Of Avocado (Persea Americana Mill.) Cultivar ‘Velvick’. 56th Annual Meeting of the Society for Cryobiology CRYO 2019, San Diego, CA United States, 22-25 July 2019. Maryland Heights, MO United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2019.10.056

The Use Of Sucrose Pre-Culture For Cryopreservation Of Avocado (Persea Americana Mill.) Cultivar ‘Velvick’

2018

Journal Article

Molecular characterization and analysis of conserved potyviral motifs in bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) for RNAi-mediated protection

Worrall, Elizabeth A., Hayward, Alice C., Fletcher, Stephen J. and Mitter, Neena (2018). Molecular characterization and analysis of conserved potyviral motifs in bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) for RNAi-mediated protection. Archives of Virology, 164 (1), 181-194. doi: 10.1007/s00705-018-4065-6

Molecular characterization and analysis of conserved potyviral motifs in bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) for RNAi-mediated protection

2018

Conference Publication

MicroRNA control of flowering and annual crop cycle in tropical/subtropical horticultural trees

Ahsan, M. U., Hayward, A., Powell, R., Wilkie, J., Beveridge, C. and Mitter, N. (2018). MicroRNA control of flowering and annual crop cycle in tropical/subtropical horticultural trees. International Symposia on Tropical and Temperate Horticulture, Cairns, QLD Australia, 20 November 2016. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1205.84

MicroRNA control of flowering and annual crop cycle in tropical/subtropical horticultural trees

2018

Conference Publication

Acclimatization of micropropagated mature avocado

Hiti Bandaralage, J. C. A., Hayward, A., O’Brien, C., Beveridge, C. and Mitter, N. (2018). Acclimatization of micropropagated mature avocado. VII International Symposium on Production and Establishment of Micropropagated Plants, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 24-28 April 2017. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1224.3

Acclimatization of micropropagated mature avocado

2018

Conference Publication

Adventitious Rooting in Avocado - Unravelling the Bottleneck to Propagation

Gleeson, Madeleine , Hayward, Alice , Hiti Bandalarage, Jayeni , Fletcher, Stephen and Mitter, Neena (2018). Adventitious Rooting in Avocado - Unravelling the Bottleneck to Propagation. Plant and Animal Genome Conference XXIV, San Diego, CA, United States, 13-17 January 2018. San Diego, CA, United States:

Adventitious Rooting in Avocado - Unravelling the Bottleneck to Propagation

Funding

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2027
    Tissue culture in the Tool-Kit to conserve Australia's rarest Macadamia
    Australian Flora Foundation Inc.
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Cryobiotechnology innovations to help fight the Myrtle rust pandemic (ARC Linkage Project administered by Curtin University)
    Curtin University
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Gossia gonoclada cryopreservation project
    Logan City Council
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Novel propagation and conservation technologies for Australian macadamia
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2023
    Tissue-cultured Avocado Plants - from the Lab to the World
    Innovation Connections
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Tissue Cultured Avocado for Costas Trial
    North Fresh Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    National Tree Genomics Program - Genotype Prediction (Molecular Physiology)
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2024
    National Tree Genomics Program - Genomics Toolbox
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2023
    National Tree Genomics Program - Phenotype Prediction
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Cryopreservation of Avocado shoot tips for the conservation of Persea Germ plasm.
    Huntington Library
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Advanced Queensland Research Fellowship (Mid): MICROpropagator - A plant propagation platform based on novel biomolecules
    Advance Queensland Research Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2016
    MICROpropagator - a small RNA application for plant propagation
    UQ Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Bringing Avocado into the Genomics Era - Reinventing Avocado Improvement
    Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Travel Award - Alice Hayward (UQ) to attend the Plant and Animal Genome XX Conference 2012
    Grains Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Epigenetic Regulation of Important Agricultural Traits in Canola
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    DNA Methylation Analysis in Canola (Brassica napus)
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Dr Alice Hayward is:
Available for supervision

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

Available projects

  • Cryobiotechnology to Save Australian Macadamia

    Want to do a PhD in conservation with real-world outcomes and close industry links?! Join our team of industry and academic leaders at the Australian PlantBank and The University of Queensland and be the first to develop cryobiotechnology to help save Australia’s macadamia species.

    Our lab is dedicated to developing cryopreservation (cryostorage at -196C) protocols to save plant species from climate-change, disease pandemics (e.g. myrtle rust), deforestation and ultimately extinction. This is essential for plants that do not survive seed-banking – including our food species such as macadamia. This technology allows us to safely freeze plant cells and tissues at -196C and then revive them to grow into whole new plants. This provides an insurance bank to conserve incredible genetic diversity of precious species including crops and endangered species that cannot be seed-banked.

    You must be an Australian resident and will be based at the Australian PlantBank in NSW and Enrolled through the University of Queensland. Students will learn techniques of plant tissue culture and cryopreservation in close connection with industry and real end-user funders in plant conservation. The student(s) will develop real-world protocols to save these species in Australian cryobanks. The student(s) will also have opportuity to travel, conduct field work, and investigate molecular physiological apsects of cellular cryostorage behaviour.

    Location: The Australian PlantBank Mt Annan, NSW.

  • Tissue culture to feed the world

    The Mitter Lab has received global media coverage for developing the world’s first tissue-culture production system for avocado plants - the world's most instagrammed fruit. This is important as a sustainable, cost-effective and climate-secure way to produce plants. The team has also developed systems for pharma crops, hyperacumulating species for industrial application and endgangered species under threat of climate change and disease pandemics.

    Dedicated students will be part of our expanding research in a new $20M tissue-culture facility at UQ, developing systems for other high-value crop species as well as endangered native species where prior research is lacking or proved too challenging. Students will work very closely with internationally leading researchers, industry and partners to deliver real-world outcomes and value-add student experience. There is also opportunity for students to discover novel aspects of plant genetics and molecular physiology in relation to tissue culture and crop function.

    **We are NOW searching for**:

    -Honours student in Custard Apple Tissue Culture -PhD students in Macadamia Tissue Culture -MPhil Student in macadamia molecular biology and informatics

  • The next generation of avocado crop improvement

    Our Lab in QAAFI has been part of a large effort sequencing the genomes of major sub-tropical fruit crops including avocado. We have developed a DNA marker set that can distinguish avocado cultivars available in Australia – this is important for industry to be able to rapidly identify and track plants. We are also producing the first chromosome level genome for avocado, set to signfcantly enhance future assisted breeding and gene-editing tech for avocado. Combining our world-leading strengths in avocado tissue culture innovation and genomics, this project will develop novel platform technologies for avocado crop improvement exploring options for mutatgenesis breeding and gene-editing. The outcomes if successfull could be a game changer for avocado crop development into the future.

    **We are now searching for: PhD students in Avocado transformation and mutagenesis!**

  • Understanding the Physiology and Cause of Blueberry Crown Disorders

    Want to do a PhD in horticulture with real-world outcomes and close industry links?! Join our team of industry and academic leaders at The University of Queensland and be the first in Australia to help explore the cause of an emerging issue in blueberry related to root wrapping and crown disorder(s). This project will focus on the physiology of the disorder(s) and the potential relationship to plant nutrition and root and shoot architecture. You will work very closely with industry partners to come up with hypotheses, and work on the solutions.

  • Propagation innovation for foods, fibers and ecosystems

    The QAAFI tissue culture lab pioneered by Prof Neena Mitter (ATSE) has received global media coverage for developing the world’s first tissue-culture production system for avocado plants. The team has also developed systems for pharma crops, tuber species, corm species and Australian native species under threat of climate change and disease pandemics.

    Dedicated students will be part of our expanding research in a new $20M tissue-culture facility at UQ, developing systems for other high-value crop species as well as endangered native species where prior research is lacking or proved too challenging. Students will work very closely with internationally leading researchers, industry and partners to deliver real-world outcomes and value-add student experience. There is also opportunity for students to discover novel aspects of plant genetics and molecular physiology in relation to tissue culture and crop function.

    **We are NOW searching for**:

    - A PhD student focused on innovating propagation for Australia's emerging vanilla industry

    - Honours/coursework students interested in saffron, turf, native Australian endangered species!

  • The next generation of horticultural crop improvement

    Our Lab in QAAFI has been part of a large effort sequencing the genomes of major sub-tropical fruit crops including avocado. Combining our world-leading strengths in tissue culture innovation with genetics, projects are available to develop novel platform technologies for crop improvement exploring options for mutatgenesis breeding and gene-editing. The outcomes if successfull could be a game changer for horticultural crop development into the future.

  • Understanding the Physiology and Cause of Blueberry Crown Disorders

    ���� Exciting PhD Scholarship Opportunity - Australian Citizens and Residents Eligable! ����

    We're thrilled to announce a new PhD scholarship for a domestic student focused on an intriguing project: "Impact of Nutrition on Blueberry Root Wrapping-Crown Disorder."

    This research aims to uncover the role of plant nutrition on an emerging disorder that impacts root and crown structure and ultimately yield of blueberry plants. If you’re passionate about plant physiology and working closely with industry on a significant problem, this is your chance to contribute to Australian agriculture while advancing your academic career!

    ���� What’s in it for you?

    - Engage in cutting-edge research

    - Collaborate with leading experts in the field

    - Work on a real-world problem for the global blueberry industry

    - Make a tangible impact in horticulture

    ���� Applications now open! Commence no later than 1 Oct 2025 (R4 2025)!

    ���� Apply here: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/impact-nutrition-blueberry-root-wrapping-crown-disorder

    For more information or to express your interest in this project, please contact Dr. Eveline Kong at e.kong@uq.edu.au.

    Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to deepen your knowledge and drive innovation in agricultural science!

    #PhD #Scholarship #BlueberryResearch #Agriculture #DomesticStudents

  • Propagation innovation for foods, fibers and ecosystems

    The QAAFI tissue culture lab pioneered by Prof Neena Mitter (ATSE) has received global media coverage for developing the world’s first tissue-culture production system for avocado plants. The team has also developed systems for pharma crops, tuber species, corm species and Australian native species under threat of climate change and disease pandemics.

    Dedicated students will be part of our expanding research in a new $20M tissue-culture facility at UQ, developing systems for other high-value crop species as well as endangered native species where prior research is lacking or proved too challenging. Students will work very closely with internationally leading researchers, industry and partners to deliver real-world outcomes and value-add student experience. There is also opportunity for students to discover novel aspects of plant genetics and molecular physiology in relation to tissue culture and crop function.

    **We are NOW searching for**:

    - A PhD student focused on innovating propagation for Australia's emerging vanilla industry

    - Honours/coursework students interested in saffron, turf, native Australian endangered species!

  • The next generation of horticultural crop improvement

    Our Lab in QAAFI has been part of a large effort sequencing the genomes of major sub-tropical fruit crops including avocado. Combining our world-leading strengths in tissue culture innovation with genetics, projects are available to develop novel platform technologies for crop improvement exploring options for mutatgenesis breeding and gene-editing. The outcomes if successfull could be a game changer for horticultural crop development into the future.

  • Understanding the Physiology and Cause of Blueberry Crown Disorders

    ���� Exciting PhD Scholarship Opportunity - Australian Citizens and Residents Eligable! ����

    We're thrilled to announce a new PhD scholarship for a domestic student focused on an intriguing project: "Impact of Nutrition on Blueberry Root Wrapping-Crown Disorder."

    This research aims to uncover the role of plant nutrition on an emerging disorder that impacts root and crown structure and ultimately yield of blueberry plants. If you’re passionate about plant physiology and working closely with industry on a significant problem, this is your chance to contribute to Australian agriculture while advancing your academic career!

    ���� What’s in it for you?

    - Engage in cutting-edge research

    - Collaborate with leading experts in the field

    - Work on a real-world problem for the global blueberry industry

    - Make a tangible impact in horticulture

    ���� Applications now open! Commence no later than 1 Oct 2025 (R4 2025)!

    ���� Apply here: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/impact-nutrition-blueberry-root-wrapping-crown-disorder

    For more information or to express your interest in this project, please contact Dr. Eveline Kong at e.kong@uq.edu.au.

    Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to deepen your knowledge and drive innovation in agricultural science!

    #PhD #Scholarship #BlueberryResearch #Agriculture #DomesticStudents

  • Propagation innovation for foods, fibers and ecosystems

    The QAAFI tissue culture lab pioneered by Prof Neena Mitter (ATSE) has received global media coverage for developing the world’s first tissue-culture production system for avocado plants. The team has also developed systems for pharma crops, tuber species, corm species and Australian native species under threat of climate change and disease pandemics.

    Dedicated students will be part of our expanding research in a new $20M tissue-culture facility at UQ, developing systems for other high-value crop species as well as endangered native species where prior research is lacking or proved too challenging. Students will work very closely with internationally leading researchers, industry and partners to deliver real-world outcomes and value-add student experience. There is also opportunity for students to discover novel aspects of plant genetics and molecular physiology in relation to tissue culture and crop function.

    **We are NOW searching for**:

    - A PhD student focused on innovating propagation for Australia's emerging vanilla industry

    - Honours/coursework students interested in saffron, turf, native Australian endangered species!

  • The next generation of horticultural crop improvement

    Our Lab in QAAFI has been part of a large effort sequencing the genomes of major sub-tropical fruit crops including avocado. Combining our world-leading strengths in tissue culture innovation with genetics, projects are available to develop novel platform technologies for crop improvement exploring options for mutatgenesis breeding and gene-editing. The outcomes if successfull could be a game changer for horticultural crop development into the future.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Dr Alice Hayward directly for media enquiries about:

  • horticulture
  • plant genetics
  • Plant science
  • tissue culture

Need help?

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

communications@uq.edu.au