Professor Neena Mitter, an Indian-origin academic renowned for her innovative contributions to agriculture and sustainable crop protection, has been appointed as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Associate (Global Research) at Charles Sturt University, effective October 1, 2024.
Professor Mitter brings a wealth of experience in interdisciplinary research and international collaboration to her new role, where she will be instrumental in advancing the university’s global research initiatives.
Expressing her enthusiasm for the appointment, Professor Mitter highlighted her commitment to driving international research partnerships and fostering innovation.
“Charles Sturt University’s innovative spirit is grounded in deep community engagement, education, and research to make a difference on the ground, contributing to agriculture, food and water security, and healthcare in regional communities, among others,” she said.
“I am eager to drive global research partnerships with my passion for borderless innovation.”
An Accomplished Academic with a Vision for Sustainable Solutions
Charles Sturt University praised Professor Mitter’s exceptional track record, noting her history of leading world-class interdisciplinary research centres and securing significant research funding.
Before joining Charles Sturt, Professor Mitter served as the founding Director of the Centre for Horticultural Science at the University of Queensland, where she played a key role from 2018 to 2024. Her achievements include winning numerous awards, securing fellowships, and earning patents, which have positioned her as a leader in the fields of agriculture and sustainable crop protection.
In addition to her academic accomplishments, Professor Mitter is the Director of the Australian Research Council’s Industrial Transformational Research HUB for Sustainable Crop Protection. Her research has gained international recognition, particularly her work on BioClay™, a groundbreaking technology in crop protection.
BioClay is designed to combat agricultural pests such as whitefly, a major threat to global crop yields. The technology has shown promising results, with ongoing collaborative efforts through the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund.
In her new role, Professor Mitter will focus on enhancing Charles Sturt University’s international research profile, including the development of partnerships, commercialisation of research, and collaborative postgraduate programs.
The university has made substantial investments in research over the past two years, particularly in areas such as rural health, cybersecurity, food and water security, and regional well-being. Professor Mitter’s appointment aligns with Charles Sturt’s commitment to addressing regional challenges that have a global impact.
“The role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Associate (Global Research) is to provide strategic leadership, advice, and support in the development of international research partnerships, new sources of international research income, and collaborative initiatives,” the university stated.
“Professor Mitter’s appointment is further testimony to Charles Sturt’s commitment to recruiting the best and the brightest to foster world-class research.”
Professor Mitter’s new position at Charles Sturt University marks a significant step forward for the institution’s efforts to lead in sustainable agriculture and technology-driven research. Her leadership is expected to drive strategic, multidisciplinary initiatives that span multiple regions, enhancing the university’s impact on both a local and international scale.
With Professor Mitter at the helm of its global research initiatives, Charles Sturt University aims to strengthen its reputation as a hub for innovation, providing solutions to pressing global issues and cultivating future leaders in agriculture, technology, and health.
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