
Ph.d Biochemistry (University of Queensland)
Mark Harrison is an Associate Professor (Biochemistry) in the Centre for Agriculture and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Science, 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)
- Demonstration of the Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute ‘trash to bioplastics’ process at the Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant
- Developing sweet sorghum varieties for biorefinery applications
- Mackay Renewable Biocommodities Pilot Plant
Projects
Additional information
Professional Experience:
- 2020 to present Associate Professor, Centre for Agriculture and the Bioeconomy
- 2020 to present Associate Professor, School of Biology and Environmental Science
- 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).
- 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.
- Zhang, P., Liu, S., Zhao, Z., You, L., Harrison, M. & Zhang, Z. (2021). Enzymatic acylation of cyanidin-3-glucoside with fatty acid methyl esters improves stability and antioxidant activity. Food Chemistry, 343. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/206076
- Du, G., Shi, J., Zhang, J., Ma, Z., Liu, X., Yuan, C., Zhang, B., Zhang, Z. & Harrison, M. (2021). Exogenous probiotics improve fermentation quality, microflora phenotypes, and trophic modes of fermented vegetable waste for animal feed. Microorganisms, 9(3), 1–18. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/209203
- Khatun, M., Hassanpour, M., Harrison, M., Speight, R., O’Hara, I. & Zhang, Z. (2021). Highly efficient production of transfructosylating enzymes using low-cost sugarcane molasses by A. pullulans FRR 5284. Bioresources and Bioprocessing, 8. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/212163
- Harrison, M., Amini, Z., Self, R., Strong, J., Speight, R. & O'Hara, I. (2022). Valorization of sugarcane biorefinery residues using fungal biocatalysis. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 12(3). https://eprints.qut.edu.au/210100
- Ramirez, J., McCabe, B., Jensen, P., Speight, R., Harrison, M., van den Berg, L. & O'Hara, I. (2021). Wastes to profit: a circular economy approach to value-addition in livestock industries. Animal Production Science, 61(6), 541–550. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/208027
- Gebbie, L., Dam, T., Ainscough, R., Palfreyman, R., Cao, L., Harrison, M., O'Hara, I. & Speight, R. (2020). A snapshot of microbial diversity and function in an undisturbed sugarcane bagasse pile. BMC Biotechnology, 20.
- Khatun, M., Harrison, M., Speight, R., O'Hara, I. & Zhang, Z. (2020). Efficient production of fructo-oligosaccharides from sucrose and molasses by a novel Aureobasidium pullulan strain. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 163. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/203784
- Dugdale, B., Kato, M., Deo, P., Plan, M., Harrison, M., Lloyd, R., Walsh, T., Harding, R. & Dale, J. (2018). Production of human vitronectin in Nicotiana benthamiana using the INPACT hyperexpression platform. Plant Biotechnology Journal, 16(2), 394–403. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/109634
- Mazaheri, H., Chyuan, O., Masjuki, H., Amini, Z., Harrison, M., Wang, C., Kusumo, F. & Alwi, A. (2018). Rice bran oil based biodiesel production using calcium oxide catalyst derived from Chicoreus brunneus shell. Energy, 144, 10–19. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/114435
- Amini, Z., Chyuan, O., Harrison, M., Kusumo, F., Mazaheri, H. & Ilham, Z. (2017). Biodiesel production by lipase-catalyzed transesterification of Ocimum basilicum L. (sweet basil) seed oil. Energy Conversion and Management, 132, 82–90. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/103164
- 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
- Title
- Wastes to Profits: Value Propositions for Better Management of Wastes in Animal Industry Supply Chains (4303)
- Primary fund type
- CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
- Project ID
- V.RDP.3010
- Start year
- 2018
- Keywords
- Title
- Reviewing and Extending Knowledge of Fibre Quality Assessment and Effects of Cane Varieties (4304)
- Primary fund type
- CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
- Project ID
- 2017/001
- Start year
- 2017
- Keywords
- Factory; Fibre; Quality; Soft; Sugarcane
- Title
- A profitable future for Australian agriculture: Biorefineries for higher-value animal feeds, chemicals, and fuels (RnD4Profit 14-01-044) (4207)
- Primary fund type
- CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
- Project ID
- 2015/902
- Start year
- 2016
- Keywords
- Agriculture; Bioproducts; Biorefinery; Diversification; Value Chain
- Valorisation of A. tequilana biomass through thermochemical conversion, anaerobic digestion and carbonisation
PhD, Associate Supervisor
Other supervisors: Professor Graeme Millar, Dr Lalehvash Moghaddam, Professor William Doherty