Dr TJ Higgins: improving Australian crops.

Dr TJ Higgins: researching legume gene technology

Dr TJ Higgins is a leading researcher in plant gene technology particularly in improving nutritional value and resistance against pests and diseases.

• 24 June 2010 | Updated 12 January 2012

Overview

• Current activities
• Background
• Academic qualifications
• Achievements

Current activities

Dr TJ Higgins is currently researching the application of gene technology for plant improvement.

He is particularly interested in:

• improving the nutritive value of plants for feed and food uses
• protecting plants from pests and disease.

Dr Higgins is a strong advocate of science communication and regularly discusses gene technology in public forums.

He is Convenor of Gene Technology for Decision Makers, a hands-on course to provide background on the science behind Genetic Modification (GM), especially as it applies to plants. See more information about the Gene Technology Course from the link in the Related Links section of this page.

Background

Dr TJ Higgins first came to Australia as a Postdoctoral Fellow with the Research School of Biological Sciences at the Australian National University, in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.

He joined CSIRO Plant Industry shortly thereafter. 

Academic qualifications

Dr Higgins has been awarded a:

• Bachelor of Agricultural Science, from the National University of Ireland, in 1966
• Master of Agricultural Science, also from National University of Ireland, in 1967
• Doctor of Philosophy from the University of California, USA, in 1971.

Achievements

Dr Higgins the recipient of a number honours and awards including:

• Peter Goldacre Award from the Australian Society of Plant Physiologists
• Pharmacia-LKB Biotechnology Medal from the Australian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering 
• Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.

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