Matthew Flinders Strategic Emeritus Professor
College of Science and Engineering
I was awarded my PhD from Adelaide University and undertook postdoctoral studies in the United States before joining CSIRO as a Queen Elizabeth II Fellow. I subsequently moved to ANU where eventually I became Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in 1995. In 1999, I took up the Chair of Biochemistry at the University of Western Australia and later moved to the University of Sydney where I was Executive Dean of the Faculties of Science. I returned to Adelaide at the end of 2009 to take up the role of Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) at Flinders University. I retired from management in 2015 and am now a part-time research professor in the College of Science & Engineering at Flinders University. I am also Secretary for Science Policy at the Australian Academy of Science in Canberra.
BSc (hons) Adelaide University, 1971
Dip Teaching, Adelaide Teachers College, 1971
PhD (plant biochemistry) Adelaide University, 1975
Member Australian Institute of Compnay Directors (MAID)
QEII fellowship, 1978-80
Fellow, Australian Academy of Science
Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor
Research in plant biochemistry and molecular biology.
This research is funded by the Australian Research Council and the GRDC. I am currently a Chief Investigator and theme leader in the Industrial Transformation Research Hub “Legumes for Sustainable Agriculture”. My research focuses on plant cell physiology - how plant cells are affected by environmental stress and how they gain the nutrients they need to grow and survive. Soybean, chickpea, rice and barley are the main crop plants under investigation.
I am also Secretary for Science Policy at the Australian Academy of Science where I am responsible for the oversight of activities relating to the formulation and delivery of high quality, science-based advice to assist national policy development, program delivery and priority projects and programs of Federal and State Governments.
Honours and PhD supervision
Board member, Playford Trust of South Australia
Board member of the Australian Science Media Centre
Member of the governing council of the Australian Academy of Science
Secretary for Science Policy, Australian Academy of Science