Murray Badger

Murray Badger is a Professor at the Australian National University (ANU) within the Research School of Biology (RSB). He completed his BSc Agr at the University of Sydney and a PhD in Plant Biochemistry at ANU. His career includes postdoctoral work at the Carnegie Institution of Washington and leadership roles at ANU, such as Head of the Departments of Environmental Biology and Molecular Plant Physiology, Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, and leader of the Badger Group (Photosynthetic Functional Genomics).

• BSc Agr, University of Sydney
• PhD, Plant Biochemistry, ANU

His research focuses on the genetics, biochemistry, and physiology of photosynthetic CO2 fixation across plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Key areas include the inefficiencies of the enzyme Rubisco, the evolution and operation of CO2 concentrating mechanisms, and the regulation of photosynthetic capacity through chloroplast development. His work explores synthetic biology strategies to enhance crop photosynthesis by integrating cyanobacterial CO2 concentrating mechanisms.

Recent publications highlight biochemical regulation of C3/C4 photosynthesis, carboxysome structure-function analysis, and thermal acclimation in symbiotic algae. His projects aim to address global food security challenges through photosynthetic innovation.

Scientific Awards

• Peter Goldacre Medal (1982)
• Highly cited researcher in Plant and Animal Sciences (2000)
• Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (2008)
• Corresponding Member of the American Society of Plant Biologists (2009)

Murray Badger has secured significant grants, including the ARC LIEF grant (2016), and has mentored students in photosynthetic research. He currently leads the development of the Australian Plant Phenomics Facility node at ANU, advancing translational photosynthesis studies.