Dr Fatima Naim, Senior Research Fellow at Curtin University, is advancing crop protection to safeguard global food security in the face of climate change and rising disease pressure. Based at the Centre for Crop and Disease Management (CCDM), co-funded by Curtin University and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), Dr Naim leads research into how plants respond to infection—uncovering the earliest molecular and cellular events that determine whether crops succumb or survive.
Diseases in wheat and barley are worsening due to shifting climates and rapidly evolving pathogens. Traditional breeding and increased fungicide use can no longer keep up, driving resistance and threatening yields. Dr Naim uses cutting-edge tools such as nuclear science and transcriptomics to map how plant biology changes during infection and recovery. These insights help identify and detect disease-tolerant plants and inform the next generation of crop breeding strategies.
Beyond research, Dr Naim is committed to capacity building—training emerging scientists, running hands-on workshops, and promoting STEM in schools and communities. Through innovation, collaboration, and education, she’s helping create more resilient crops and a more secure food future.