Research output per year
Research output per year
Personal profile
Biography
William is a postdoctoral research fellow within the School of Biological Sciences. He is part of the Batley Lab, a research group specialising in plant genomics led by Prof. Jacqueline Batley. His research explores the genetics of plant disease resistance, with a focus on Brassica crops. He is interested in identifying novel resistance genes, exploring the molecular mechanisms underpinning resistance and understanding the evolutionary dynamics of plant-pathogen interactions using genomics.
William’s PhD research, which was supported by a Grains Research and Development Corporation research scholarship, involved identifying candidate genes in canola (Brassica napus) which confer resistance toward blackleg, a devastating fungal disease, and other diseases. He previously worked at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
Teaching overview
BIOL3364 - Evolutionary Processes (Molecular evolution module)
BIOL5542 - Conservation Genetics (Conservation genomics module)
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
Education/Academic qualification
Genomics, Doctor of Philosophy, Searching for and identifying candidate disease resistance genes in canola (Brassica napus) using genomics, The University of Western Australia
Award Date: 16 Jul 2024
Botany , BSc (First Class Honours), The University of Western Australia
Award Date: 31 Oct 2018
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics where William Thomas is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
-
Applications of CRISPR/Cas tools in improving stress tolerance in Brassica crops
Ton, L. B., Qayyum, Z., Amas, J., Thomas, W. J. W., Edwards, D., Batley, J. & Dolatabadian, A., 2 Sept 2025, In: Frontiers in Plant Science. 16, 19 p., 1616526.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open Access -
BrRCO promotes leaf lobe formation by repressing BrACP5 expression in Brassica rapa
Sun, Y., Hu, L., Amas, J. C., Thomas, W. J. W., Wang, L., Wang, X., Wang, W., Qu, G., Shen, X., Ji, R., Batley, J., Fan, C. & Wang, Y., May 2025, In: Horticulture Research. 12, 5, 11 p., uhaf084.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access3 Citations (Scopus) -
Correction to: The Global Assessment of Oilseed Brassica Crop Species Yield, Yield Stability and the Underlying Genetics (Plants, (2022), 11, 20, (2740), 10.3390/plants11202740)
Zandberg, J. D., Fernandez, C. T., Danilevicz, M. F., Thomas, W. J. W., Edwards, D. & Batley, J., Jan 2025, In: Plants. 14, 2, 174.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review
Open Access -
Exploring Cloned Disease Resistance Gene Homologues and Resistance Gene Analogues in Brassica nigra, Sinapis arvensis, and Sinapis alba: Identification, Characterisation, Distribution, and Evolution
Dolatabadian, A., Amas, J. C., Thomas, W. J. W., Sayari, M., Al-Mamun, H. A., Edwards, D. & Batley, J., Aug 2025, In: Genes. 16, 8, 849.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
First Report of Genomic Regions Associated With White Leaf Spot Resistance in Brassica napus
Thomas, W. J. W., You, M. P., Amas, J. C., Edwards, D., Banga, S. S., Barbetti, M. J. & Batley, J., Dec 2025, In: Plant Pathology. 74, 9, p. 2830-2845 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
Projects
- 1 Active
-
UWA RCA 2025 Application - Dr. William Thomas
Thomas, W. (Chief Investigator), Batley, J. (CoPI), Rousseau-Gueutin, M. (CoPI) & Van de Wouw, A. (CoPI)
The University of Western Australia
1/01/25 → 31/12/25
Project: Research
Prizes
-
-
Ken and Julie Michael Convocation Postgraduate Research Travel Award
Thomas, W. (Recipient), 2021
Prize: Award
-
-
Grains Research and Development Corporation Research Scholarship
Thomas, W. (Recipient), 2020
Prize: Postgraduate Scholarship