Kefei Chen

Kefei Chen is a Research Fellow at Curtin University's School of Molecular and Life Sciences (MLS), affiliated with the Centre for Crop Disease Management (CCDM). His work focuses on integrating statistical methodologies with plant genomics to address challenges in crop improvement. Key areas include quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for abiotic and biotic stress tolerance, genomic prediction models for yield traits, and systems-based approaches to crop breeding. He has extensive experience in analyzing large-scale genomic datasets and experimental designs for agricultural applications.

Research interests span bioinformatics, computational statistics, and agricultural data science, with applications to wheat, barley, and legume genetics. Notable contributions include studies on frost tolerance mechanisms in wheat, Sclerotinia stem rot resistance in chickpea, and genomic signatures of breeding in barley cultivars. His statistical expertise extends to spatial analysis of on-farm trials and environmental health studies on air pollution impacts.

Publications highlight methodological innovations in QTL clustering, structural equation modeling for systems genetics, and generalised additive models for yield prediction. Collaborative projects involve multidisciplinary teams addressing crop disease management, nitrogen use efficiency, and climate-resilient crop development.