Synopsis

Dr Lee Hickey, Associate Professor at the University of Queensland, Australia, leads a research team focused on plant breeding innovation. His work seeks to find more efficient and efficacious ways of realising genetic gain across plant breeding programmes.

In this episode of Plant Breeding Stories, Hickey shares how he pivoted from studies in marine biology to pursue a degree in agricultural science. He introduces the idea of “speed breeding”, which involves employing similar technologies to vertical farming, to accelerate research and applied breeding outcomes. Hickey also discusses why collaboration, effective scientific communication and grit are crucial skills to meet the future food demands of a growing population.