I am particularly interested in the way in which fungal rust pathogens evolve and acquire virulence for resistance genes in their hosts. I have conducted Australia-wide race analyses for the rust pathogens that cause stem rust in wheat, leaf rust in wheat, leaf rust in barley, and crown rust in oats, for the past 20 years. My research group is now developing and applying DNA-based markers that allow us to test hypotheses on how rust pathogen populations have evolved in Australia over the past 90 years.
I am also interested in the genetics of resistance to these pathogens in their respective hosts, and my group works very closely with most cereal breeders in Australia to provide support in rust resistance breeding. We have strong linkages with rust researchers throughout Australia via my position as Director of the Australian Cereal Rust Control Program, which is funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation.
I am also actively involved in international rust research, notably via my participation in the global effort to tackle a new race of stem rust, known as Ug99, that has emerged in eastern Africa in recent years.
