🌰Upcoming QAAFI Science Seminar: Join PhD candidate Palakdeep Kaur as she explores the genetics behind self-fertility in macadamia and how this trait could help breeders develop high-yielding cultivars for the future. 🕛11 August, 12:00pm AEST 🔗bit.ly/4575wb9

Congratulations to Prof Heather Smyth on receiving the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) Education Award for 2026. 🎉 The Awards recognise excellence, leadership and impact across the food industry, making this a well-deserved recognition. 👉ow.ly/O3jS50ZuSHo

Australians drink around 2 billion cups of coffee every year, yet less than 1% is grown here in Australia. ☕ A new $4 million Australian Coffee Research Program aims to change that. 👉 bit.ly/4pPx0f5

🍊 Today, PhD researcher Joel Johnson will present findings from his research into five native Australian citrus species, exploring their vitamin content, unique flavour compounds and potential applications for the food and health sectors. 🕛12:00pm AEST, TODAY 🔗uqz.zoom.us/j/87036612100

Check out this 7News Sunshine Coast segment by Rebeka Jensen about the lastest Passionfruit research featuring QAAFI's Dr Mobashwer Alam Alam and Dr Pragya Dhakal Poudel. Watch the original: bit.ly/4pIbB7l Read more here: bit.ly/43k8NCY

🥭 Why does an Australian mango never quite taste like an Alphonso? According to Prof Heather Smyth and UQ flavour research, it’s not just nostalgia. Different aroma compounds give Australia’s beloved Kensington Pride and India’s iconic Alphonso their distinct flavour identities. 👉 bit.ly/3RMUG75

What can ancient grasses teach us? 🌾For thousands of years, Aboriginal communities in southwest Queensland harvested native grasses like channel millet, a vital food source in a challenging landscape. Now, researchers have discovered something surprising hidden in the plant’s DNA. 👉 bit.ly/4f91aWM

What if the next big breakthrough in nutrition is growing right here in Australia? 🌱🍊 Join us on 28 July for a QAAFI Science Seminar investigating the composition and bioactivity of these unique fruits, presented by emerging food chemistry researcher Joel Johnson. 📅 28 July 2026 🔗bit.ly/4yrAQ1O

Congratulations to all QAAFI students who graduated this week 🎓 From long days in the lab and field to breakthrough ideas and discoveries, you have worked hard to get here. We look forward to seeing the impact you will make. The future of agriculture and food is in excellent hands!

📣Join us TODAY at 12pm AEST for a seminar with Emeritus Professor Robert Henry, QAAFI’s founding Director. He will share insights into how advances in DNA sequencing and spatial omics are transforming our understanding of plant biology. 🔗 uqz.zoom.us/j/89209770324

QAAFI PhDs Callum Jamie and Hamza Ramzan have both been being awarded 2026 Crawford Fund Student Awards. These awards support emerging researchers to gain hands-on experience in international ag research and development. Read more 👉 ow.ly/EZyk50ZmKZV

Is gentle handling the secret to better tasting honey? 🐝 Research undertaken by PhD candidate James Yu Jun Lian and Professor Heather Smyth is uncovering how extraction methods can impact flavour, aroma and quality - potentially redefining what “fresh” honey means. 🍯Read more: bit.ly/4vVb2td

Join us for a seminar with Emeritus Prof Robert Henry on 'Research for Food, Energy and Conservation of Biodiversity'. Discover how advances in DNA sequencing are accelerating plant improvement, supporting food security, and driving innovation. 🕛14 July 🔗bit.ly/4f2gF1z

Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa and Madonna Thomson features in ABC’s 'Every Bite' to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping Australia’s native foods sector. Listen now 👉 ab.co/3RqHTHc

🌾 Join us TODAY for our QAAFI seminar on the achievements of the Hy-Gain Project. Join us to hear from Prof Anna Koltunow and Prof Brett Ferguson as they share the latest science, the impact of the project, and something that’s been kept under wraps until now. 🕛12PM AEST 🔗uqz.zoom.us/j/89739000372

Researchers at QAAFI are testing a promising new non-GM spray that could help control insect-spread viral diseases in grain crops. Led by Dr Karl Robinson, the 3-in-1 approach aims to boost plant defences, disrupt viral replication and target aphid vectors. 👉bit.ly/4eX8ZgO

🌾Join us on 7 July for a QAAFI seminar on the achievements of the Hy-Gain Project, featuring Prof Anna Koltunow and Prof Brett Ferguson. They will discuss the science, the impact, and an important part of the project that has been kept under wraps until now. 🕛 July 7, 12pm AEST 🔗bit.ly/3SGfZr0

🐷Join QAAFI's Viet Hai Tran TODAY as he dives into how post-weaning diets can shape piglet gut microbiota, support healthier gut function, and inform better feeding strategies. 🕛 12:00PM AEST 🔗uqz.zoom.us/j/81248452138

A partnership between UQ and the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research is helping strengthen how improved crop varieties reach farmers. The collaboration has modernised breeding systems, improved data use, and built lasting capability to respond to future challenges. 🔗bit.ly/4w1UoYl

🐖Join QAAFI PhD candidate Viet Hai Tran as he shares how post-weaning diets can shape gut microbiota to improve piglet health, resilience, and performance. His research combines nutrition with metagenomic approaches to help inform suitable diets. 🕛 30 June, 12pm AEST 🔗bit.ly/4oA4FIS

QAAFI took part in this year’s IRTG 2843 retreat, held from 28 May - 5 June. It brought together a truly global community working to accelerate crop genetic gain. Hosted by JLU in Giessen, it included 80+ PhDs, postdocs, PIs, and board members. Thank you to all who made the week such a success.

🌳PhD candidate and plant pathologist Brittany Oswald has identified an aggressive soilborne Phytophthora pathogen driving tree losses in Australian almond orchards, and is working with partners to develop integrated, long-term disease management strategies for the industry’s future.🔗 bit.ly/4x5tlwK

Explore the latest edition of Innovation in Agriculture. 👉 bit.ly/4vlKmkH From bigger, tastier and longer-lasting passionfruit on the horizon, to cutting-edge genetic tools helping breed hornless cattle, discover how QAAFI and partners are tackling challenges and unlocking new opportunities.

Ahead of National Reconciliation Week, we reflect on the importance of listening to and partnering with Indigenous leadership. In this opinion piece, QAAFI PhD Jacob Birch shares a vision for food systems that prioritise healthy people and healthy Country. 👉 bit.ly/4e0cF21

Bigger, tastier passionfruit could soon be on the way. 🍅 bit.ly/43k8NCY QAAFI's Dr Mobashwer Alam and Dr Patrick Mason are developing next-generation varieties with higher yields and declicious new flavours, working side-by-side with growers to ensure they deliver in real conditions.

QAAFI’s Dr Viviene Santiago and Dr Millicent Smith are taking science beyond the lab and into the community on 18 and 20 May. Join them at The Burrow in West End as they unpack global challenges, from tackling methane emissions to adapting crops for a hotter world. 👉 bit.ly/493RERo

📣We’re hiring a Principal Media and Content Officer at QAAFI. In this senior role, you’ll lead our media strategy, turn complex science into compelling stories and elevate the impact of world-class research across industry, government and the wider community. 👉 bit.ly/4wpUKJv

Join us for our next QAAFI Science Seminar with PhD candidate Anqi Li. 🧬Explore how the structure of food polysaccharide gels influences gut fermentation, microbial activity, and nutritional function, helping inform the design of functional food systems. 🕛12PM AEST, 19 May 🔗bit.ly/42xMMjM

The Animal Science Poster Olympics is on again for 2026! 🐄🐑🐖🐟 The competition brings together higher degree students and early career researchers to showcase work across genetics, nutrition, animal health, microbiology, and aquaculture. 🕛28 Aug, 1-4pm 📍St Lucia 🔗 bit.ly/4eAkJr7

What makes food spicy? 🌶️🤔 Our very own Prof Heather Smyth is helping curious kids find out on the 'Imagine This' podcast. Joining host Dr Niraj Lal, Heather explores where spice comes from, why it feels “hot,” and why milk can cool things down.🎧https://ab.co/4tdr7Ir