Daniel Tan

Professor Daniel Tan is a Professor of Agronomy in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Sydney, where he is affiliated with the Sydney Institute of Agriculture. He graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Horticultural Technology (Honours Class 1) in 1991 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1999. In 2003, he accepted a lectureship in agronomy in the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, progressing through the ranks to his current professorial appointment. He currently serves as the Development Agriculture Theme Leader of the Sydney Institute of Agriculture, Cambodian Country Convenor of the Sydney Southeast Asia Centre, and Postgraduate Coursework Program Director for the Master of Agriculture and Environment.

Professor Tan's research specializations encompass crop agronomy and physiology, with a focus on abiotic stress management—including drought, high temperature, and nitrogen nutrition—in major field crops such as cotton and chickpea, as well as sustainable production systems for smallholder farmers in Southeast Asia. His influential publications include 'Coping with drought: stress and adaptive mechanisms, and management through cultural and molecular alternatives in cotton as vital constituents for plant stress resilience' (2018), 'Nitrogen fertility and abiotic stresses management in cotton crop: a review' (2017), 'Nitrogen nutrition in cotton and control strategies for greenhouse gas emissions: a review' (2017), 'Effect of high temperature on the reproductive development of chickpea genotypes under controlled environments' (2012), and 'Smallholder farmers’ challenges and opportunities: Implications for agricultural production, environment and food security' (2024). In learning and teaching, he has coordinated the third-year unit Production Horticulture (HORT3005) since 2017 and Sustainable Plant Production (PLNT3014/5014) since 2019. He holds professional distinctions as a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (FAIAST), Certified Practising Agronomist (CPAg), Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Professional Email: daniel.tan@sydney.edu.au