Professor Mark Harrison

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Principal Research Fellow, Faculty of Engineering

Ph.d Biochemistry (University of Queensland)

Mark Harrison is a Professor of Sustainable Agriculture and Manufacturing in the School of Mechanical, Medical, and Process Engineering at Queensland University of Technology, in Brisbane, Australia. Mark has extensive basic, applied, and commercial research experience, and his research is focused on conversion of agricultural wastes and residues into more valuable food, feed, fibre, fine chemical, and fuel products.  His current research projects include fibre modification to enhance digestibility in ruminants and non-ruminants, production of soluble sugar products from plant biomass, production of single cell protein using crop residues as substrates, isolation of natural plant products, bioactives, and nutraceuticals, and biomass pretreatment chemistry. Mark obtained an undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of Queensland in 1992. He completed his PhD (2001) at the University of Queensland, researching the molecular mechanisms by which cells transport, store, and detoxify essential metal ions. He then undertook post-doctoral work at Newcastle University (Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK) in the laboratories of Professors Nigel Robinson and Christopher Dennison, researching the biological chemistry of metalloproteins and their role in essential metal ion homeostasis. Mark returned to Australia in 2003 and was awarded a 3-year Queensland State Government Smart State Fellowship in 2004 to produce enzymes in a model plant. The development of this technology in sugarcane was a key part of the $3.8 million research collaboration between Syngenta, one of the world’s largest integrated agribusiness companies, and QUT. He has also lead research projects on integration of transgenic sugarcane into the global sugarcane production system, understanding protein stability under extreme conditions, and practical integration of enzymes into industrial systems.

Projects (Chief investigator)

Projects

Additional information

Experience

Professional Experience:

  • 2024 to present  Professor of Sustainable Agriculture and Manufacturing, School of Mechanical, Medical, and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
  • 2022 to present Non-Executive member of the Executive Committee of The Leucaena Network
  • 2020 to 2023 Associate Professor, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science
  • 2019 to present Inaugural QUT representative on the North Australia Beef Research Council
  • 2015 to 2020 Senior Lecturer, School of Earth, Environmental, and Biological Sciences, Queensland University of Technology.
  • 2008 to 2020 Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities, Queensland University of Technology.
  • 2004 to 2008 Research Fellow, Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities, Queensland University of Technology.
  • 2002 to 2003 Postdoctoral Research Associate, School of Natural Sciences, University of Newcastle (UK).
  • 1999 to 2001 Postdoctoral Research Associate, Institute of Cell and Molecular Biosciences, University of Newcastle (UK).

Awards

Type
Appointment to State/National/International Reference Group or Government Committees
Reference year
2019
Details
The North Australia Beef Research Council provides leadership and advice to organisations who either invest in, or undertake beef cattle research, development and extension (RD&E) in Queensland, the Northern Territory and the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of Western Australia. NABRC is an independent organisation made up of producer representatives, research organisations and education providers. NABRC does not fund RD&E, nor employ any RD&E personnel. Rather, its role is to influence the RD&E agenda. NABRC helps ensure that innovation and learning in the northern beef industry addresses industry¿s priority issues.
Type
Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
Reference year
2018
Details
Vice-Chancellors Award for Excellence ¿ Research, Learning & Teaching, Partnerships & Engagement (Nomination). The nomination for Excellence in Teaching originated in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. The nominations for Excellence in Research and Learning & Teaching originated in the Institute for Future Environments.
Type
Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
Reference year
2016
Details
Vice-Chancellors Performance Award - Excellence in Research
Type
Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
Reference year
2016
Details
Vice-Chancellors Performance Award for Excellence in Teaching
Type
Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
Reference year
2007
Details
Dr Harrison was awarded one of the three inaugural Early Career Researcher Bio2007 Fellowships. This fellowship provided full funding (registration, travel and accommodation) for Dr Harrison to attend Bio2007 in Boston, USA.
Type
Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
Reference year
2006
Details
A Smart State Fellowship was awarded to Dr Mark Harrison by the Queensland State Government to pursue a research project entitled "Switching on enzymes to break down sugarcane waste for fermentation to bioethanol". This grant provides a total of $100,000 per year for three years to Dr Harrison; $50,000 per year is provided by the Queensland State Government Department of State Development and Trade, $25,000 per year is provided by QUT and $25,000 per year is provided by Farmacule Pty Ltd.

Publications

Research Projects

Title
Translational Research in Sugarcane-Based Feedstocks for Precision Fermentation
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
2024/013
Start year
2025
Keywords
Title
Phase 3 Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant - Enhancing Australia's ability to scale novel food ingredients
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
Start year
2024
Keywords
Title
Biorefineries for Profit - Phase 2 (RnD4Profit 18-04-016 | 2019/902) (4207/4395)
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
4-BA20OPM
Start year
2019
Keywords
Agriculture; Bioproducts; Biorefinery; Diversification; Value Chain

Current Supervisions

Completed Supervisions (Doctorate)

Completed Supervisions (Masters by Research)