Claudia Vickers

Adjunct Professor Claudia Vickers is a leading synthetic biologist affiliated with the School of Biology & Environmental Science at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), within the Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on engineering microorganisms, particularly yeast, to produce sustainable alternatives to industrial chemicals and food ingredients. She specializes in isoprenoid pathway engineering and synthetic biology tools for metabolic control.

Prof. Vickers holds a PhD from the University of Queensland. Her work bridges academia, industry, and policy, with roles in CSIRO’s synthetic biology program, Synthetic Biology Australia, and international initiatives like the Global Biofoundries Alliance. She advises Food Standards Australia New Zealand and serves on journal editorial boards.

Her research emphasizes yeast metabolic engineering, microbial fermentation systems, and the application of synthetic biology to address environmental challenges. Recent publications highlight advancements in yeast strain optimization, biosensor development, and compartmentalized enzyme systems. Her work contributes to sustainable bioproduction processes and biotechnology policy frameworks.

Prof. Vickers is actively involved in postgraduate supervision, mentoring students in Honours, Masters, and PhD programs. She collaborates with industry partners to translate research into real-world applications, including partnerships with biotech startups and multinational corporations.