At the time, Qiwei could not have imagined that he would one day pursue a PhD in 3D Plant Phenotyping at the University of Adelaide, supported by a scholarship named in honour of the late Professor Zhang.

Established following Professor Zhang’s passing in 2023, the scholarship recognises his legacy and fosters continued excellence in plant science and agricultural research.

A top 0.1% globally cited scientist, Professor Zhang made groundbreaking contributions to cereal research and gene editing. He also played a pivotal role in strengthening the University of Adelaide’s partnership with Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

Qiwei is the first PhD student to be awarded the scholarship, selected from a competitive field of candidates. While his research differs from Professor Zhang’s, Qiwei shares a similar ambition – to improve agricultural productivity and contribute to improving global food security.

Qiwei’s interest in 3D plant phenotyping began during his master’s studies at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.

“We use phenotyping to identify stable and high-performing genotypes under field conditions, but the conventional pipeline can be labour-intensive and imprecise,” he says.

“I became interested in how 3D computer vision could enhance the accuracy and efficiency of traditional phenotyping. My master’s thesis explored organ-level segmentation using 3D point clouds and computer graphics.”

This interdisciplinary approach led Qiwei to seek a university where he could integrate advanced 3D computer vision with agricultural research for his doctoral study.

Rediscovering Professor Zhang’s affiliation with the University of Adelaide, Qiwei found a natural fit at The Plant Accelerator®, a world-leading facility located at the Waite campus.

“I wanted to apply cutting-edge 3D imaging and analysis techniques to traditional agriculture,” Qiwei says.

“Here, I’m supported by a multidisciplinary team. Two of my supervisors are plant scientists, and the third specialises in remote sensing.

“This allows me to learn about plant mechanisms and breeding traits while developing novel algorithms.”

Qiwei’s research reflects the spirit of innovation and collaboration that Professor Zhang championed throughout his career. Through the scholarship, his legacy continues to inspire the next generation of researchers working to solve global challenges in agriculture.