Evans Lagudah

Evans Lagudah serves as a Chief Research Scientist at CSIRO and holds an adjunct professorship at the University of Sydney's School of Life and Environmental Sciences. He leads a research team focused on molecular genetics and plant disease resistance, with expertise spanning race-nonspecific resistance, wheat rust resistance gene cloning, and genomic analysis for disease resistance breeding. Lagudah's work bridges fundamental molecular research and agricultural applications, translating discoveries into practical solutions for the global grains industry.

He earned his BSc from the University of Ghana and PhD from the University of Melbourne.

Lagudah's research centers on innovative approaches to cereal crop protection. Key interests include:

• Molecular mechanisms of adult plant rust resistance
• Cloning and characterization of wheat resistance genes against pathogens like Ug99 stem rust
• Development of molecular markers for disease resistance breeding
• Mutational genomics for rapid gene isolation in complex genomes
• Broad-spectrum disease resistance in cereal crops

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on wheat rust resistance genetics, genomic analysis of disease resistance traits, and evolutionary studies of wheat genomes.

His scientific contributions have been recognized through prestigious awards including:

• Fellowship in the Australian Academy of Science
• Borlaug Gene Stewardship Award (co-recipient)

Lagudah leads the Molecular Genetics & Plant Disease Resistance team at CSIRO, where his group investigates the molecular basis of plant defense mechanisms and develops biotechnological solutions for crop improvement. The team operates at the intersection of fundamental science and agricultural innovation.