معرفی
Distinguished Professor Brajesh Singh is an internationally recognized expert in functional ecology and soil biology at Western Sydney University. His work identifies quantitative relationships between soil biodiversity and ecosystem functions and how natural/anthropogenic pressures affect these relationships. He serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment and holds leadership positions with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, including Chair of the International Network on Soil Biodiversity (NETSOB) and membership on the International Technical Panel on Soils.
Professor Singh's research spans multiple critical areas of ecosystem science, particularly linking soil biodiversity (microbial and faunal) to key ecosystem functions and services. His current research focuses on the relationship between soil biodiversity and their biotic interactions with plant diversity on ecosystem functions (e.g., primary productivity, climate regulation, and pollution abatement). He has extensively applied ecological theories to explain patterns of soil biodiversity and the shape of biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships from microscopic to global scales. His work in agriculture productivity harnesses soil health and microbiomes to increase farm productivity, food safety, and industrial innovations, developing tools to improve farm productivity, increase soil organic matter, and provide climate adaptation strategies for agriculture.
Professor Singh's research has had significant global impact across multiple domains including climate change, microbial diversity, and environmental biotechnology. His work on soil microbiome responses to climate change has challenged current estimates of soil carbon loss under future climates. His research has informed multiple policy decisions from regional to global levels, including key recommendations for bilateral engagements in agribusiness and trade between Australia and India, and Australia and the European Union. His publication record demonstrates strong focus on soil microbiome-climate interactions, plant-microbe relationships, and sustainable agricultural solutions with numerous high-impact papers in leading journals.
Professor Singh has received numerous prestigious awards and recognitions:
- Ranked as the Leading researcher in the field of Microbiology, The Australian's 2025 Research magazine
- Clarivate Highly Cited (HiCi) Researcher, 2024 (in two categories - Environment and Ecology and Microbiology)
- Arrell Global Food Innovation Award, 2024
- Dorothy Jones Prize for Microbiology, 2023
- Australian Academy of Science Fellowship, 2023
- Soil Science Australia Fellowship Award, 2022
- Western Sydney University Distinguished Professor title, 2022
- Humboldt Research Award, 2018
Professor Singh leads numerous significant research projects with funding from various organizations including Hort Innovation, Cotton Research and Development Corporation, Australian Research Council, Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment, and international funding bodies. His current projects span integrated disease management for the Australian Potato Industry, drought resilient cotton development, sustainable fertigation for high yield vegetables, soil biological mechanisms underpinning soil health and productivity, and soil fauna roles in nutrient transformation of agricultural soils.
Professor Singh collaborates globally with 72 countries including USA, UK, Spain, India, and China. He serves as President and Scientific Chair of the Global Initiative of Crop Microbiome and Sustainable Agriculture, which has over 150 scientific partners worldwide. His editorial responsibilities include Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Sustainable Agriculture and Environment and Senior Editor of Biodegradation. He also serves on the editorial boards of multiple high-impact journals including Journal of Ecology, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, and Environmental Microbiology.
