Australian Cotton Research Conferences host a wide range of speakers and topics, including several invited plenary speakers (abstract submissions and conference registrations will open soon!).
Plenary speakers
Each Research Conference features several plenary speakers. A brief outline of the proposed talks, along with a summary bio is included below. Additional speakers and topics will be added as they are confirmed.
The fabric of a family tree: a journey through the evolutionary history of cotton
Cotton has a remarkable evolutionary history that began with transoceanic dispersal events some millions of years ago. Still today, new species are being discovered or resurrected. The cotton genus (Gossypium) consists of about 50 species, including two diploid and two polyploid species that were each independently domesticated thousands of years ago. This natural evolutionary diversification, followed by parallel strong directional selection under domestication, provide a model framework for exploring the comparative basis of domestication, the origin of form and of diversity in nature, and the evolutionary consequences of genome doubling.
Jonathan F. Wendel is Distinguished Professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology at Iowa State University. His research focuses on mechanisms underlying plant genomic and phenotypic diversify, with a special focus on the phenomenon of whole genome doubling, or polyploidy. Most of his ~340 publications focus on the cotton genus (Gossypium), in which two diploid and two polyploid species were each independently domesticated thousands of years ago. This natural evolutionary diversification, followed by parallel strong directional selection under domestication, provide a model framework for exploring the comparative basis of domestication, the origin of form and of diversity in nature, and the evolutionary consequences of genome doubling. His research has helped shape the field, as documented in citation metrics (Google Scholar 55,000 citations; h-index of 113). Professor Wendel’s contributions have been recognized in all three major domains of professorial life: Master Teacher (2005) for his role as graduate mentor and educator; Outstanding Achievement in Departmental Leadership (2009), for leadership excellence during his 16 years (2002-2017) as department chair; and Distinguished Professor (2012) for national research prominence. His work has garnered national recognition, including election as an AAAS Fellow (2010), Distinguished Fellow of the Botanical Society of America (2015), Distinguished Scholar, Crop Science Society of America, (2015), the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2023), and the United States National Academy of Sciences (2023).
Making your stats sizzle
To have impact, research results need to be reputable and replicable. Being able to support (or disprove) that hypothesis with solid numbers is the cornerstone of research. So why do most of us equate statistics with a trip to the dentist – necessary but thoroughly unpleasant? Dr Alison Kelly will lead you by the hand through the wonderful world of statistics and probability. She will highlight the importance of sound statistical practice, especially that of robust research design and rigorous analysis, and will provide an overview of key statistical concepts and advances in the field as well as the next frontier in statistics.
Alison Kelly began working as an Applied Biometrician at the Department of Primary Industries, Queensland, Australia in 1987 and completed her PhD in Statistics on a part-time basis at the University of Queensland. She has worked extensively on statistical applications in the agricultural sphere, with her practical interests revolving around spatial analysis of field trials, statistical genetics, multi-phase experimental design for laboratory studies and high-dimensional spectral and sensing data. Alison has had a close collaboration with the Grains Research and Development Corporation in Australia and in 2015, she obtained the GRDC Seed of Light award for outstanding scientific communication, making statistics accessible to a broad range of agricultural research scientists. More recently, Alison has joined the Qld Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) Institute at the University of Queensland, and is currently a Theme Leader of Predictive Agriculture for Improved Productivity and Value. One current project highlight is working on a Gates Foundation funded collaboration in Ethiopia. In this project, Alison trains and mentors biometricians and crop breeding teams in implementing modern statistical methods for plant breeding research at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research.
Translating research into industry impact
Many working is research are motivated by a desire to develop innovative science that ultimately enacts change in the world. However, research impact has, and arguably continues, to be measured by publication metrics. As a consequence of this disconnect, funding bodies and research organisations have an increased desire for realised industry impact. Anthony Hawes, company founder of AgBiTech, will share some of the common pitfalls when translating research to industry impact. Through case studies based on experiences highlighting success and failures, he will highlight what researchers should be thinking about at the inception and during the life of research projects to give the best chance of success surrounding impact.
Anthony will also share expected timelines required to translate a research idea to a product or management/policy change. This plenary is a must see for all researchers who want their research to extend beyond a journal publication.
Anthony Hawes is the Founder and CTO of AgBiTech, a global agricultural biotechnology company specializing in baculovirus-based insecticides and attract-and-kill products for caterpillar pest control in field crops and horticulture. With over 20 years of experience translating scientific research into commercial products, Anthony has led continual major innovations in large-scale insect production and biological pest control. He is passionate about achieving real-world impact through in-house R&D, industry collaboration, strategic development, and on-farm implementation.