Matthew Nelson

Dr Matthew Nelson is a geneticist and plant breeder currently serving as Team Leader at CSIRO, leading national research on canola improvement. He holds an Adjunct Professor position at The University of Western Australia’s Institute of Agriculture and has held prior academic affiliations with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and UWA. His work bridges fundamental research in plant genomics and applied crop breeding across international contexts.

• B.Sc. (First Class Honours) in Agricultural Botany, University of Glasgow (1995)
• Ph.D. in Plant Genetics, University of East Anglia (2000)

Dr Nelson's research focuses on enhancing crop productivity through genetic improvement, with core interests in plant domestication, genome evolution, crop and wild relative diversity, and molecular breeding. His work integrates genomics, molecular markers, and tissue culture to improve canola, lupin, and forage crops. He has led major GRDC-funded projects targeting improved canola establishment via long hypocotyl traits and unlocking B-genome diversity for stress tolerance.

The recent publications reflect a sustained focus on genomic-assisted breeding, stress resilience in oilseed crops, and the utilization of wild relatives for crop improvement. Themes include improving field establishment in canola, enhancing heat and drought tolerance, and developing molecular tools for lupin and other legumes. His research combines genetic discovery with practical breeding outcomes, contributing to over 80 peer-reviewed articles and 25 commercial cultivars.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• Fay Gale Fellowship, The University of Western Australia (2011)
• Editorial Board Member, Theoretical & Applied Genetics (2015–Present)

Dr Nelson has secured substantial research funding from GRDC, ARC, ACIAR, and Innovate UK. He has led multi-institutional projects and supervised research components at UWA. His advisory roles include serving as Impact Area Lead for Future Crops and UniMentor at UWA. He contributes to industry standards and global policy as the Australian representative on GCIRC, the global peak body for canola.

He leads a research team at CSIRO focused on adapting broadacre crops to climate and agronomic challenges, with active projects on hypocotyl development and B-genome utilization in canola. His work is embedded in a collaborative network involving UWA, industry partners, and international research organizations.