Centre Director Matthew Gilliham 

Adelaide University, view profile

Professor Matthew Gilliham was trained in ecology and plant physiology in the UK. Matthew has extensive experience at the cutting edge of plant solute transport and signalling research, with specific focus in his research career in crop plant nutrition and stress resilience with notable advances in salinity and drought tolerance, and GABA signalling. 

Matthew’s expertise will guide Plants for Space’ goals to adapt plants to space environments, and the production of novel bio products to enable long-term space habitation. Matthew’s lead in program 4.2 will ensure the industry-ready translation pipeline for this research to be used not only in space, but also to improve on Earth sustainability. 

Matthew is a Clarivate highly cited researcher and member of the ARC College of Experts; prior to establishing P4S was Director of the Waite Research Institute, and ARC Future Fellow.

“I could not go to Space without us first developing a fabulous plant-based cheese"