Kate Delaporte

Dr. Kate Delaporte is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Adelaide's School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, within the Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology. She serves as Curator of the Waite Arboretum and Waite Conservation Reserve, integrating her expertise in horticulture, plant breeding, and community engagement. Her research focuses on enhancing Australian native plants for horticultural applications, including propagation methods, genetic improvement, and sustainable practices. Key areas include ornamental eucalypts, indigenous food crops like muntries and Leptospermum (for bioactive honey), and urban forestry resilience under climate change.

Dr. Delaporte holds a PhD in Plant Breeding from the University of Adelaide (2000) and has extensive postdoctoral experience. She has secured over $1M in research funding from bodies like AusIndustry and RIRDC, advancing commercialization of ornamental eucalypts. She has also pioneered initiatives such as the 'First Foods Garden' to promote indigenous plant utilization and STEM education. Her teaching spans plant breeding, experimental design, and horticultural science.

Her professional accolades include a Churchill Fellowship (2000) and Playford Memorial Trust Scholarship (1996). She currently serves on the Playford Memorial Trust Board. Her work bridges academic research, industry collaboration, and public outreach, with a strong focus on women's empowerment in STEM fields and sustainable agricultural practices.