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Karen is a Senior Research Fellow at QAAFI, University of Queensland, where she leads a research group dedicated to advancing crop improvement through cutting-edge genomic and biotechnological approaches. Her team applies targeted and precise genetic manipulation to unravel complex biological systems and translate these discoveries into innovative breeding programs. Currently, her research focuses on modulating crop developmental patterning to enhance abiotic stress tolerance, with the long-term goal of developing high-performing crops tailored for specific environments. The group is actively expanding its research portfolio to include crops such as sorghum, barley, tropical pasture grasses, and both tropical and temperate legumes. Karen is a passionate advocate for biotechnology, championing both GM and gene-edited plants to promote sustainable crop and food production.