Sudhir Yadav

Associate Professor Sudhir Yadav leads research at the interface of agricultural science, sustainability assessment, and market analysis at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) institute of the University of Queensland. Based in the Centre for Crop Science of QAAFI, he investigates how agricultural and bio-based innovations can deliver environmental benefits, economic value and credible pathways to adoption at scale. He leads QAAFI's Systems Assessment, Market Insights and Circular Economy (SMICE) Translation for Impact Platform, bringing environmental, economic, market and adoption evidence together to guide research and investment decisions. His work uses life cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, bioprocess and systems modelling, market research, and monitoring, evaluation, research and learning (MERL). His team focuses on applying these methods to assessing biotechnologies (precision fermentation, plant tissue culture), seaweed biorefining, broadacre farming and grain value chains, and the conversion of agricultural residues and green waste into bioenergy and bioproducts. He works with researchers, government and industry to examine trade-offs, test economic and market assumptions, and inform decisions on research, product development and adoption. Before joining UQ, A/Prof Yadav worked at the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines, where he conducted research on irrigation and water management, environmental pollution, mixed farming systems, sustainability assessment and the scaling of agricultural innovations. Sustainability assessment: My team focuses on sustainability assessment methods including life cycle assessment models for product design, development and deployment stages and ESG frameworks, integrating advanced data analytics to evaluate environmental impacts and biodiversity considerations. We develop practical, data-driven approaches for resource efficiency, circular economy strategies, and environmental footprints, providing industries and policymakers with actionable insights for sustainable management and enhanced environmental outcomes. Functional Biomass Research: My team investigates biomass valorisation for alternative protein sources, and bio-based materials. We utilise advanced data analytics to develop biomass process models for diverse feedstocks and perform detailed environmental footprint assessments. Our bioenergy research emphasizes understanding the relationship between feedstock composition, bioenergy efficiency, ash quality, and environmental impacts, supporting sustainable and efficient biomass use in bioeconomy advancements.

[2025] Harnessing agro-industrial by-products for food protein production: ex-ante process design for precision fermentation using Trichoderma reesei. Nadar, Cresha Gracy, Fletcher, Andrew, Ebert, Birgitta E., Hine, Damian, Hill, Jeremy, Klein, Tobias, Wubbolts, Marcel and Yadav, Sudhir (2025). Harnessing agro-industrial by-products for food protein production: ex-ante process design for precision fermentation using Trichoderma reesei. Future Foods, 12 100829, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.fufo.2025.100829 [2025] From environmental invasive weeds to solid biofuels: assessing bioenergy potential through pelletisation and operational optimisation. de Almeida Moreira, Bruno Rafael, Punde, Sameer, Hine, Damian and Yadav, Sudhir (2025). From environmental invasive weeds to solid biofuels: assessing bioe