Thomas Roberts

Associate Professor Thomas Roberts is affiliated with the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Sydney. He holds roles as Theme Leader for Quality Food at the Sydney Institute of Agriculture and Associate Editor for Functional Plant Biology. His research focuses on molecular plant science, food components, and cereal crops including sorghum, triticale, wheat, and Australian native grains. He collaborates with agrifood industries and has taught molecular biosciences at the undergraduate level.

Education:

• BScAgr (Hons) in Biochemical Responses to Copper in Cabbage
• PhD in Glyoxylate Aminotransferases and Ureide Catabolism in Legumes

Research Interests: Molecular aspects of plant science, food functionality, cereal stress responses, and biotechnological innovations in agriculture. His work bridges plant biology, food chemistry, and industrial applications.

Grants & Advising:

• 2025: Food Quality of Australian Indigenous Grains (ARC DP)
• 2018: Cereals and Rust Diseases (ARC DP)

Labs & Teams: Leads the Sydney Institute of Agriculture’s Quality Food theme and collaborates with industry partners on cereal biotechnology and food science projects.