Keira’s research is based at the University of Western Australia on Whadjuk Noongar boodja where she is undertaking a PhD project in partnership with Australian Grain Technologies. Her project aims to assess the acrylamide forming potential of Australian wheat cultivars.
Keira has a passion for sustainability and conservation and believes in the importance of securing a food-safe future in the face of global and environmental crises. Acrylamide is a carcinogen contained in wheat products that are exposed to high temperatures during cooking processes. By creating high-throughput models to quantify asparagine, the direct precursor to acrylamide, Keira’s research will be among the first to assess the acrylamide forming potential of Australian wheat cultivars and associated health implications.
Keira is hoping the outcomes of her research will contribute to improving the quality of Australian wheat through a gained understanding about the genetic and environmental impact on asparagine accumulation, reveal novel breeding opportunities and assist in the creation food security legislation.
Keira is passionate about connection to nature and her motivation for engineering climate solutions that conserve the flora and fauna of our wild places comes from her personal adventures throughout the remote corners of Western Australia and beyond.
