Scientific Committee
Darwin, 24 - 28 August 2026
Committee Chair
Prof. Chengyuan (stephen) Xu
Charles Darwin University
Expertise / Bio
Professor Xu is a leading expert in plant ecophysiology, focusing on how crops adapt to changing climatic conditions. His research at Charles Darwin University integrates physiological responses with broad-scale agronomic outcomes to improve regional food security.
Sub-Theme Responsibility
Overall moderation of all review outcomes
Contact
Email: stephen.xu@cdu.edu.au Profile
Dr. Onoriode Coast
University of New England
Expertise / Bio
Dr. Coast specializes in the physiological mechanisms that govern heat stress tolerance in cereal crops. His work at UNE explores how temporal diversity in planting and variety selection can mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events.
Sub-Theme Responsibility
Species diversity, Temporal diversity
Contact
Email: ocoast@une.edu.au Profile
Dr. Terese McBeath
CSIRO Agriculture and Food
Expertise / Bio
With a focus on soil science and nutrient management, Dr. McBeath works on improving fertiliser efficiency and conservation agriculture practices. Her research at CSIRO is pivotal for developing sustainable intercropping and agroforestry systems.
Sub-Theme Responsibility
Agroforestry, Intercropping, Conservation agriculture
Contact
Email: therese.mcbeath@csiro.au Profile
Dr. Kenton Porker
CSIRO Agriculture and Food
Expertise / Bio
Dr. Porker is an agronomist whose research centers on crop phenology and precision management. He develops strategies that balance high-input precision agriculture with
low-input resilience to optimize yields in diverse environments.
Sub-Theme Responsibility
Management strategies (precision ag vs low-input)
Contact
Email: kenton.porker@csiro.au Profile
Dr. Tiemen Rhebergen
CSIRO Agriculture and Food
Expertise / Bio
Dr. Rhebergen focuses on the sustainable intensification of mixed farming systems. His work at CSIRO involves integrating cropping and livestock management to create more circular and resilient agricultural ecosystems.
Sub-Theme Responsibility
Mixed farming (cropping and livestock)
Contact
Email: tiemen.rhebergen@csiro.au Profile
Assoc. Prof. Shahla Hosseini-Bai
Griffith University
Expertise / Bio
Associate Professor Hosseini-Bai is an expert in soil health and nutrient cycling. Her research
focuses on adapting agronomic practices to specific soil types and climatic zones to ensure long-term productivity and environmental sustainability.
Sub-Theme Responsibility
Adapting agronomy to diverse climatic zones and soil types
Contact
Email: s.hosseini-bai@griffith.edu.au Profile
Prof. Guanghui Lin
Tsinghua University
Expertise / Bio
Professor Lin is a world-renowned scientist in stable isotope ecology. He provides critical
insights into the carbon and water cycles of agricultural systems, supporting collaborative efforts between international and regional agronomy networks.
Sub-Theme Responsibility
China special session
Contact
Email: lin.guanghui@sz.tsinghua.edu.cn Profile
Assoc. Prof. Xiao Huang
Hainan University
Expertise / Bio
Associate Professor Huang specialises in regional agronomy and crop modelling. Her work focuses on bridging digital agriculture technologies with traditional farming practices to enhance productivity in tropical and subtropical regions.
Sub-Theme Responsibility
China special session
Contact
Email: xiao.huang@hainanu.edu.cn Profile
Dr. Rob Williams
University of Western Australia
Expertise / Bio
Dr. Williams has extensive experience in international agricultural research, particularly in developing nations. He works on capacity building and technology transfer to improve rural livelihoods through improved agronomic practices.
Sub-Theme Responsibility
Timor Leste special session
Contact
Email: rob.williams@uwa.edu.au Profile
Dr. Acacio Guterres
National University of Timor Leste
Expertise / Bio
Dr. Guterres is an advocate for sustainable food systems in Timor-Leste. His research addresses the challenges of tropical agronomy, focusing on local crop varieties and soil
management techniques suitable for smallholder farmers.
Sub-Theme Responsibility
Timor Leste special session
Contact
Email: acacio.guterres@untl.edu.tl
Direct Contact: acacio.guterres@gmail.com
Dr. Ali Bajwa
La Trobe University
Expertise / Bio
Dr. Bajwa is an interdisciplinary researcher with expertise in weed science and plant physiology. He explores the intersection of entomology and agronomy to develop holistic pest and weed management strategies.
Sub-Theme Responsibility
Multidisciplinary science (physiology, soil, data science)
Contact
Email: A.Bajwa@latrobe.edu.au Profile
Dr. Azad Rahman
Central Queensland University
Expertise / Bio
Dr. Rahman integrates indigenous knowledge systems with modern agronomy. His work highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement and workforce diversity in building resilient and inclusive agricultural sectors.
Sub-Theme Responsibility
Indigenous knowledge, Stakeholder integration, Workforce diversity
Contact
Email: a.rahman2@cqu.edu.au Profile
Dr. Jing Wang
Queensland DPI
Expertise / Bio
Dr. Wang is a specialist in remote sensing and digital agriculture. She develops precision horticulture tools that allow growers to monitor crop health and optimise resource use through real-time data analysis.
Sub-Theme Responsibility
Technological and Innovation tools (digital ag, AI, remote sensing)
Contact
Email: jing.wang@daf.qld.gov.au Profile
Dr. Ali Zia
La Trobe University
Expertise / Bio
Dr. Zia utilizes hyperspectral imaging and machine learning to advance precision agriculture.
His research focuses on non-destructive phenotyping and the application of AI in identifying crop stress before visual symptoms appear.
Sub-Theme Responsibility
Technological and Innovation tools (digital ag, AI, remote sensing)
Contact
Email: a.zia@latrobe.edu.au Profile
Dr. Tory Clarke
University of Tasmania
Expertise / Bio
Dr. Clarke is a geneticist focused on crop development and varietal diversity. Her work at UTAS aims to identify genetic traits that confer resilience to environmental stressors, ensuring the future-proofing of Australian cropping systems.
Sub-Theme Responsibility
Varietal diversity (cultivars)
Contact
Email: tory.clarke@utas.edu.au Profile
Dr. Michael Farrar
Griffith University
Expertise / Bio
Dr. Farrar research interests lie in catchment hydrology and landscape-scale agronomy. He studies the interaction between agricultural practices and water quality to promote sustainable land management across diverse climatic zones.
Sub-Theme Responsibility
Adapting agronomy to diverse climatic zones and landscapes
Contact
Email: m.farrar@griffith.edu.au Profile