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Oula Ghannoum

Dr Oula Ghannoum was a co-leader of Research Program 1 within the Centre and a node leader at the Western Sydney University. Her research focused on studying the functional diversity of C4 species and Rubisco catalysis. In addition, she investigated variation in radiation use efficiency in Programs 2 and 3.

Click here for more information about Oula’s role in the Centre and research at the WSU Node.

Oula contributes to advancing photosynthesis research in two main areas: the environmental and molecular regulation of C4 photosynthesis and the response of C3 and C4 plants to climate change.

Her research focussed on the links between Rubisco catalysis, the CO2 concentrating mechanism and resource use efficiency in C4 plants. This research was conducted in collaboration with colleagues at ANU and CSIRO and has significant translational potential for crop improvement and management of Australia’s fragile rangelands.

Oula graduated with a BSc (Honours) in Plant Biochemistry from the University of New South Wales in 1993, and obtained her PhD in Plant Physiology from the University of Western Sydney in 1998.

She is internationally known for her innovative research on C4 photosynthesis, establishing links between Rubisco diversity and the physiology and biogeography of C4 species. In 2001, Dr. Ghannoum was awarded the prestigious ARC Postdoctoral Fellowship, and in 2007, she was awarded an Independent Postdoctoral Fellowship at UWS.

Oula collaborates with Australian and Chinese breeders in large-scale crop improvement projects for dry environments (sugarcane, sorghum) and warmer, elevated CO2 futures (wheat).

See article published on AroundUWS – Research spotlight: Increasing crop yield in the field

Oula was part of the Centre from 2014 to 2021