DrGhazanfar Khan

I believe students learn science best by doing it. My teaching is built on project-based learning: rather than working through set exercises, students tackle real research and industry problems from the first week, using the same tools and approaches as modern biotechnology labs.

At Deakin, I am the founding Unit Chair of three core units in our postgraduate biotechnology and bioinformatics programs, and I have developed a fourth in synthetic biology.

Applied Bioinformatics (SLE777) teaches students to turn raw sequencing data into biological insight, analysing real genomes and transcriptomes with command-line and R tools.

Molecular Biotechnology (SLE712) explores the tools that underpin modern biotechnology, from engineering genes to producing proteins, with students learning by doing in the laboratory.

Agricultural Biotechnology (SLE703) explores how genetics and genome editing can deliver more productive and resilient crops, and how these technologies are regulated and used responsibly.

Synthetic Biology (SLE717) challenges students to design and build new biological functions by applying engineering principles to living systems.

Students leave these units with practical technical skills, experience solving open-ended problems in teams, and the confidence to communicate their science. These capabilities are valued by research institutes and the biotechnology industry alike.

Before joining Deakin, I was a Guest Lecturer at the University of Melbourne and La Trobe University, and a Teaching Assistant in laboratory classes at the University of Lausanne.

Research supervision is one of the most rewarding parts of my role. I supervise or co-supervise eight PhD candidates, on projects ranging from plant nutrient signalling and crop stress tolerance to automated phenotyping and nanomaterials. Recent Masters and Honours graduates from my group include Tanjilla Tabassum and Vanshika (Masters, 2026), Natasha Ford (Honours, 2026) and Hannah Allan (Honours, 2025).

I welcome enquiries from students interested in Honours, Masters or PhD projects in plant molecular biology, bioinformatics and genetic engineering.