Lee James Conneely

Dr. Lee James Conneely serves as a Research Officer in the Ecological Plant and Animal Sciences department at La Trobe University, Melbourne, and is actively involved with the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space. His work focuses on engineering tomato plants to produce medicines for space missions, addressing pharmaceutical infrastructure limitations in extraterrestrial environments.

His educational background includes a PhD in Plant Science from La Trobe University (2020-2024), dual Master of Science degrees in Plant Science from Southern Cross University and the University of Amsterdam (2017-2020), and a Bachelor of Science in Genetics from University College Dublin (2012-2016).

Conneely's research centers on plant genome biology using epigenomics and single-nucleus technologies to study glandular trichomes and develop synthetic biology applications. His expertise spans Genetics, Molecular Biology, Epigenetics, Bioinformatics, and Plant Cell Biology, with particular emphasis on cannabis trichome systems and metabolic pathway engineering.

Analysis of his publications reveals a strong focus on plant specialized metabolism, with recurring themes in cannabis epigenomics (40% of output), trichome biology (30%), and space agriculture applications (20%). His work demonstrates significant interdisciplinary connections between plant genomics, pharmaceutical production, and extraterrestrial adaptation challenges.

Through his role in the ARC Centre of Excellence, Conneely contributes to ambitious projects genetically engineering tomato plants to express medicinal compounds from other plant species, potentially solving critical healthcare challenges for long-duration space missions.