Dr Ismail Ismail is a Senior Research Officer and Chief Investigator at the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI), working within the Horticulture Pathology group at PIRSA in South Australia. With a Bachelor of Plant Protection, a Master’s and PhD in Plant Pathology from the University of Adelaide, Ismail brings more than 20 years of experience in plant pathology across various organisations. Since joining SAAFE’s grapevine fungicide resistance project in 2019 as Senior Research Officer, he has been deeply engaged in the challenges posed by AMR in agriculture.

Ismail’s work in the project aims to optimise high-throughput laboratory and in-field testing, develop effective sampling protocols, monitor resistance trends, and create assays to detect new resistance markers. Motivated by the urgency to protect plant health, ensure sustainable farming practices, and strengthen food security, Ismail values the interdisciplinary nature of SAAFE’s work, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and industry to tackle AMR from all angles.

A typical day for Ismail blends hands-on fungicide testing with data analysis, collaborative research, literature reviews, and reporting. When he's not in the lab or the field, he’s likely to be outdoors—camping, hiking, or beekeeping.