Dr Sally-Ann Walford: studying cotton fibre

Dr Sally-Ann Walford is investigating the molecular basis for cotton fibre growth and development.

• 13 April 2010 | Updated 31 October 2011

Overview

• Current activities
• Background
• Academic qualifications
• Achievements

Current activities

Dr Sally-Ann Walford is part of the cotton fibre biotechnology group.

Her research focuses on the identification and characterisation of transcription factors (genes) that control cotton fibre initiation and development.

The group is working to gain a better understanding of cotton fibre development, with the aim to improve fibre yield and quality by identifing and altering the expression of key regulators of genes that control cotton development.

Background

Dr Walford completed her doctorate on desiccation-induced gene expression in vegetative tissues and seeds of the resurrection plant, Xerophyta humilis.

She moved to Australia in 2008 to join the cotton biotechnology group at CSIRO Plant Industry.

Academic qualifications

Dr Walford has been awarded a:

• Bachelor of Science from the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, 1997
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, 1998
• Master of Science from the University of Cape Town, 2002
• Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, 2008.

Achievements

Dr Walford achievements are:

• National Research Foundation, Scarce Skills Scholarship and Grant Holder Scholarships
• DAAD Scholarship (German Academic Exchange Service).

See a list of scientific papers published by Dr Walford on the next page.