Dr Gupta Vadakattu joined CSIRO Plant Industry in Canberra in 1989 following his PhD and postdoctoral studies at University of Saskatchewan in Canada. In Adelaide, he worked with the CRC for Soil and Land Management (1993-98) on microbial-protozoan interactions and their effects on microbial diversity and biological functions. His research was the first to elucidate the exposure pathways for Bt-proteins with soil biota and contributed scientific evidence to the debate on benefits and risks from GM plants in Australian agricultural systems. Dr Vadakattu's research showed the significance of managing biological functions in the low-fertility Mallee soils for sustainable production and environmental health.Dr. Gupta Vadakattu received 2015 J.A. Prescott Medal from Australian Society of Soil Science Inc. He holds full Academic status as Assoc Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide.Dr Vadakattu has developed scoping documents identifying soil biology research priorities for Grains Research Development Corporation and Meat and Livestock Australia and delivered over 100 talks to industry audience.

Functional microbial ecology