Dr Parwinder Kaur PhD, Associate Professor | Director, DNA Zoo Australia | Faculty of Science, The University of Western Australia (UWA)
Dr Parwinder Kaur leads an innovative Translational Genomics research program that aims to translate fundamental science into ready-to-use solutions across the agricultural and medical sectors. Her DNA Lab team enables research to span the spectrum of scientific activities beyond the traditional ‘Lab-to-Landscape’ model, using new age technologies such as CRISPR, single-cell and 3D genomics. With DNA Zoo Australia she is on a mission to provide genomic empowerment to unique Australian biodiversity facilitating conservation efforts for the threatened and endangered species.
Kaur has made substantial contributions to the field of biotechnology and appointed as UWA “Be Inspired” for Agricultural & Environmental Biotechnology in 2019. Her studies tracking genomic variation to breed low methanogenic forages in Australia provided a new paradigm for reducing the environmental footprint of ruminants. She has been honored by the prestigious “Science and Innovation Award” for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry by the Australian Academy of Sciences in 2013. A joint venture between UWA and world’s biggest pasture Seed Company PGG Wrightson Seeds in resulted demonstrating impact at the paddock level. For DNA Zoo innovative work developments won the Microsoft’s AI for Earth award for 2019-20.