Junrey Amas

Junrey Amas is a PhD student and Research Fellow at the School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture (Plant Pathology) from Central Mindanao University and a Master of Science in Plant Breeding from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. Before pursuing his PhD, he worked for five years at the International Rice Research Institute and later as a senior science research specialist at the Philippines' Department of Agriculture. He joined the Batley Lab in October 2019 to focus on identifying novel resistance against Blackleg (Leptosphaeria maculans) in Brassica crops, leveraging genomics and bioinformatics to address the breakdown of existing resistance genes in Australian canola varieties.

His research expertise spans crop genomics, plant pathology, and plant breeding, with a focus on sustainable agricultural solutions. Current projects aim to identify qualitative and quantitative resistance sources in Brassica germplasm to combat Blackleg disease, which threatens global canola production. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable agriculture and food security.

Junrey has published extensively on Brassica genomics, disease resistance mechanisms, and pangenome analyses, contributing to advancements in crop resilience against pathogens. He has received awards such as the Mike Carroll Travelling Fellowship Award (2021) and multiple Postgraduate Convocation Travel Awards (2022). His research in the Batley Lab emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to enhance crop productivity and sustainability.