Bernadette McCabe

Professor Bernadette McCabe serves as Director of the Centre for Agricultural Engineering (CAE) at the University of Southern Queensland and leads the Energy and Bioresource Recycling research program. With over 25 years of academic and research experience in agricultural and industrial bioengineering, she directs a diverse research group focused on automation, robotics, machine vision, bioenergy, biorecycling, irrigation, water management, and farming systems innovation.

Her educational background includes:

• BSc(Hons) from the University of Sydney (1992)
• PhD from the University of Western Sydney (1999)
• Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching and Learning from the University of Southern Queensland (2006/2007)

Professor McCabe's research centers on transforming agricultural and food processing waste into valuable resources through advanced biotechnologies. Her work develops practical solutions for converting organic waste into biogas, clean recycled water, and biofertilizers, with applications across livestock, cropping sectors, and water utilities. She has made significant contributions to understanding anaerobic digestion processes, biomethane potential testing, and greenhouse gas mitigation strategies, with a particular focus on implementing circular economy principles in regional Australian contexts.

Her 15 most recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on resource recovery from organic waste streams, with particular emphasis on food waste, biosolids, and agricultural residues. The research spans technical process optimization, policy frameworks for waste management, and practical implementation strategies for regional communities. A notable trend is the integration of biochar technology with traditional waste treatment processes to enhance resource recovery and create valuable soil amendments.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Member of Australian Research Council (ARC) College of Experts
• National Task Leader for IEA Bioenergy Task 37: Energy from Biogas
• Board Director of Bioenergy Australia (2017-2019)
• Advance Queensland Mid-Career Research Fellowship (2016)
• ALTC Citation for outstanding contribution to student learning (2011)

Professor McCabe actively supervises doctoral and master's students while securing significant research funding through multiple grants. Her projects include the Recycling and Renewable Energy Commercialisation Hub (2023), Nutrients in a Circular Economy (2022), and Advancing Regional Agri-Food Waste Valorisation (2021). She extends her impact beyond academia through regular media contributions and participation in CSIRO's STEM Professionals in schools program since 2007. Her work bridges the gap between fundamental research and practical implementation in the Australian agricultural sector.

At the University of Southern Queensland, Professor McCabe leads the Centre for Agricultural Engineering, which serves as a hub for developing and implementing innovative waste-to-resource technologies. Her team collaborates closely with industry partners across the agricultural and food processing sectors to translate research findings into practical applications that enhance environmental sustainability while improving economic outcomes for regional communities.