At the Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM), our mission is to deliver real impact for both Curtin University and the grains industry. This impact-driven approach is powered by a strong partnership between Curtin University and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). Their co-funding and ongoing support enable CCDM to break traditional academic boundaries, focusing on innovations that advance crop disease management and deliver outcomes with applied impact for the Australian grains industry.
Building the Foundation for Impact
Founded more than a decade ago, CCDM appointed Professor Mark Gibberd as its inaugural Director, together with Chief Scientist Professor Richard Oliver they led a pioneering team of thirty-four research staff and students. At its inception, the centre operated nine research programs, each led by a resolute project leader. It had a clear focus on tackling individual crop disease challenges. As the centre evolved, the nine programs became four plant pathology research groups. This shift allowed the leadership team to tackle major industry challenges and take the centre to new heights.
Fast forward to today, CCDM has more than tripled its staff and student numbers to almost 120. This significant expansion includes the introduction of new research disciplines such as Biometry and Agricultural Data Analytics.
Every six months, the Curtin and GRDC Strategic Relationship Board, comprised of senior representatives from both Curtin University and GRDC, meet to review achievements and progression towards centre’s strategic direction. This ensures the centre targets research areas which align with both industry needs and Curtin’s research priorities.
Curtin provides institutional support which gives CCDM access to world-class facilities, laboratories, professional staff, and technical expertise. This synergetic partnership provides stability which enables CCDM to pursue complex and multidisciplinary solutions to industry-focused problems, where research translates into tangible benefits for growers and the grains industry.
Curtin University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Melinda Fitzgerald said, “the fact that we are supporting CCDM quite substantially with strategic research investment is a clear indication that the research of CCDM is excellent.”
Recognising the vital role Curtin plays in CCDM she said “CCDM is great at securing support externally, but to have that infrastructure and supporting environment and facilities that Curtin can provide for CCDM is, I think, quite important to CCDM’S continued success”
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor often finds herself calling CCDM the poster child for research at Curtin.
“I’m very proud of CCDM and I spruik their success often… especially about the impact that they’re having” she said.
Leading Diversity and Ethical Practices
CCDM PhD student Varthini Govindaraju Punithan inspecting barley
CCDM is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in all research and trials. This dedication reflects its impressive history of breakthroughs, including identification of key genetic targets for breeders, advancing fungicide resistance detection and characterisation, and developing innovative tools such as the amplicon sequencing assay (a method for analysing genetic material to detect pathogens).
Curtin University’s General Manager of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kaye Mazzoleni, praised the centre, “they are a delight to support because of their academic endeavour and the work they do that truly makes a difference.” CCDM is incredibly important to the faculty, she added,
“CCDM is the largest research centre at Curtin, holding the university’s biggest category one research grant… a testament to its scale and influence.”
Beyond scientific excellence, CCDM champions inclusivity and career development. The centre houses staff and students originating from over 25 different countries. More than half of its staff are women, many of whom are parents or carers… Dedicated support from line management bolsters these initiatives, fostering a workplace culture that values inclusivity and work-life balance.
Career growth is another cornerstone of CCDM’s culture. With a strong emphasis on staff training, CCDM maintains a formal training plan with clear targets across all levels and allocates part of its budget to professional development. These efforts align with Curtin University’s broader values of integrity and inclusivity, reinforcing CCDM’s role as a leader in both research and workplace culture.
CCDM’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and professional development strongly reflects Curtin University’s core values of integrity, respect, excellence, and impact, and aligns with its strategic goal of fostering diversity and delivering research that makes a real-world difference.
Leadership in Action
CCDM Director Mark Gibberd
CCDM thrives under the leadership of Centre Director Mark Gibberd, who exemplifies Curtin’s values and fosters a culture of collaboration and support. Curtin University’s strong commitment to research impact creates an environment where innovation flourishes, giving Mark the freedom to lead effectively and make decisions that deliver meaningful outcomes for industry and growers. “We would not be able to achieve what we do without Curtin’s support. It has been fantastic,” Mark said. He also praised Curtin’s forward-thinking approach, “it’s not just about risk assessments or cost-benefit analysis, but about thinking in terms of vision, growth, and potential.”
Mark emphasized the critical role of Curtin’s facilities in enabling the Centre’s groundbreaking research, stating that ‘the Centre could not have been located anywhere else’ because of the unique support Curtin provides – support that is fundamental to our success.”
A shared goal between Curtin and CCDM is bridging the gap between metropolitan and regional communities.
Mark explained, “Australian grain growers are the beneficiaries of our research. Having research that directly impacts regions across Australia aligns perfectly with Curtin’s mission to provide education to students from regional locations and support for regional communities.”
Without Curtin University, CCDM would not be where it is today, and the professionals working at the Centre would not have the opportunity to contribute to world-class research. Curtin plays an integral role in enabling CCDM to deliver impact beyond publications, pioneering real benefits for growers and the broader industry. Through this collaboration, and with ongoing support from GRDC, CCDM transforms research into practical solutions that strengthen agriculture and creates lasting value. Together, Curtin and CCDM are shaping a future where innovation drives progress across farms, industries, and communities.
