Kwanho Jeong

Biography

Dr Kwanho Jeong is currently a Research Fellow at Southern Cross University, where he leads research on phosphorus use efficiency in crops, with a particular focus on rice and macadamia. Dr Jeong holds a PhD in Plant Molecular Physiology from Southern Cross University, where he was awarded the Chancellors Medal for Outstanding PhD Thesis. He has extensive international research experience across Australia, France, Korea, the Philippines, and Senegal, including postdoctoral roles at INRAE and IRD in Montpellier, France. His career spans molecular biology, root development, and nutrient metabolism, with a strong emphasis on sustainable agriculture and crop improvement.

Research

Dr Jeong’s current research focuses on improving phosphorus use efficiency in both horticultural and cereal crops. He is investigating the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying cluster root formation in Macadamia integrifolia, aiming to identify genotypic variation and regulatory pathways that enhance phosphorus acquisition. His work integrates transcriptomic and physiological approaches to understand how macadamia responds to varying phosphorus conditions. In parallel, Dr Jeong is screening a rice mutant population to identify valuable genetic traits associated with low phosphorus grain content, contributing to sustainable rice breeding. His research is grounded in non-GMO methodologies and is closely aligned with industry priorities for regenerative agriculture in subtropical systems.