We are pleased to welcome Professor Chris Blanchard as the new Director of the La Trobe Institute for Sustainable Agriculture and Food (LISAF).
Professor Blanchard succeeds Professor Tony Bacic, who recently retired after an outstanding contribution to the Institute. We thank Professor Bacic for his leadership and lasting impact on LISAF’s growth and success.
Professor Blanchard begins his tenure with a strong commitment to advancing research that supports sustainable and resilient food systems. Reflecting on his new role, he shared: “It is such a privilege to work in a team with such a passion for solving real-world problems.”
As part of LISAF, the PC Hub is excited about the strong synergies ahead and looks forward to impactful collaborations under Professor Blanchard’s leadership.
Professor Blanchard brings more than 25 years of experience in agricultural and food sciences. His research career includes extensive work at the CSIRO Grain Quality Research Laboratory, the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in Switzerland, and Charles Sturt University.
Beyond academia, he has demonstrated significant leadership within the grains industry. He has twice served as Chair of the Australasian Grain Science Association, was a member of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Southern Panel for seven years, and served as a GRDC Board Director for three years.
His contributions also extend to key strategic industry committees, including Grain Growers and Australia’s National Committee for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.
We look forward to this next chapter for LISAF and to the continued strengthening of research, industry engagement, and innovation under Professor Blanchard’s leadership.
As part of LISAF, we are excited about the strong synergies ahead and look forward to impactful collaborations.
Welcome aboard, Chris! 👏
Prof. Blanchard completed a PhD in molecular biology based at CSIRO Plant Industry, Canberra. He then worked as a molecular biologist at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in Lausanne, Switzerland and as a protein biochemist at the CSIRO Grain Quality Research Laboratory prior to joining Charles Stuart University in 1998, and La Trobe University in 2026.
Prof. Blanchard’s research interests related to grain functionality and investigating ways to improve the profitability of grain production and health benefits of grain-based foods.Learn more here
Stay tuned for updates on our research, industry collaborations, and opportunities to engage with the PC Hub.
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