Dr. Evans Lagudah is a Chief Research Scientist at the CSIRO Plant Industry, based in Canberra, Australia. His research activities are based on the integration of molecular genetics and conventional breeding of biotic, abiotic (salinity tolerance) and grain quality (gluten proteins) attributes for cereal improvement. He leads a team with a research spectrum covering basic studies on the molecular basis of race non-specific resistance, adult plant rust resistance, cloning of wheat resistance genes, genomic analyses of targeted disease resistance traits and the identification and utilisation of molecular technologies for resistance breeding in order to minimise pesticide usage and contribute towards sustainable agro systems. Among some of his research highlights are defining the molecular basis of adult plant multi-pathogen rust resistance gene Lr34 (SCIENCE 2009) and a broad spectrum stem rust resistance gene, Sr33 that confers resistance to the Ug99 race group and diverse races (SCIENCE 2013). Dr Lagudah has published extensively in international journals, invited to speak at international biological sciences symposia, serves as an associate editor for two international journals, conducted collaborative research as well as serving in a scientific advisory role to international and national agencies engaged in crop genetic improvement in Australia, USA, China, Canada, India, Chad, Kenya, Ethiopia, France, Switzerland and UK. He continues to train postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows in molecular genetics and crop improvement as well as a regular contributor to the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) PhD programme in the University of Ghana.