Three leading scientists whose work is helping shape the future of Australian cotton have been named finalists for the 2026 Cotton Seed Distributors Researcher of the Year Award.
The award, to be presented at the 2026 Australian Cotton Conference on the Gold Coast as part of the Australian Cotton Industry Awards, recognises outstanding contributions to the Australian cotton industry through research, development or extension work, with a focus on innovation, impact and commitment to advancement.
The 2026 finalists are:
- Dr Shiming Liu, principal research scientist, CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Narrabri, NSW
- Dr Katie Broughton, research scientist, CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Narrabri, NSW
- Dr Gunasekhar (Guna) Nachimuthu, senior research scientist (sustainable soils), Climate and Natural Resources Division, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Australian Cotton Research Institute, Narrabri, NSW
Cotton Australia chief executive Adam Kay said the three finalists, all based in Narrabri, had made significant contributions across a range of cotton research areas, including plant breeding, climate resilience, soils and sustainability.
“Research is the backbone of Australia’s cotton industry. It underpins every advancement we’ve made in productivity, sustainability and fibre quality, ensuring our growers remain globally competitive in an increasingly complex environment,” Kay said.
“These finalists represent the very best in cotton research, and each of them has made a significant contribution over the past 20 years, delivering practical innovations that is not only advancing knowledge but making a tangible difference to crop performance, risk management and environmental outcomes.”
Kay said the Cotton Seed Distributors-sponsored award recognised the role science and research played in cotton production.
“This award shines a spotlight on the people driving innovation behind the scenes, the people in the background who don’t often receive the glory but without whom our cotton industry wouldn’t be where it is today,” he said.
“Australia’s cotton industry is recognised globally for its innovation, and that reputation is built on the calibre of researchers we have working alongside growers.
“All three finalists exemplify that spirit of collaboration and excellence, and they should be proud of the impact they’ve made.”
Cotton Seed Distributors chief executive Dr Ian Taylor said researchers in the Australian cotton industry were critical to developing future solutions.
“At CSD we are a proud partner with researchers and their organisations both in Australia and across the globe,” Taylor said.
“We are pleased to once again be supporting this award, as part of our focus on addressing key industry challenges and improving the competitiveness of Australia cotton.”
The Cotton Seed Distributors Researcher of the Year Award will be presented at the Australian Cotton Industry Awards dinner on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
The Bayer Cotton Grower of the Year Award, AgriRisk High Achiever of the Year Award, CRDC Chris Lehmann Young Cotton Achiever of the Year Award and John Deere Service to Industry Award will also be presented at the dinner, the final event of the 2026 Australian Cotton Conference.
Registrations for the 2026 Australian Cotton Conference are open at www.australiancottonconference.com.au.
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