Yolanda Plowman

Dr Yolanda Plowman joined BCG as the Senior Research Manager in February 2023. Originally from Brisbane where she completed her undergraduate studies in biological sciences and mathematics, Yolanda completed her PhD in soil microbiology associated with wheat roots at The University of Sydney. Her research took her to regional areas of New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia. Throughout her PhD, Yolanda undertook a number of teaching positions at The University of Sydney in microbiology, cellular biology, and food security subjects, and also proudly lead the Joint Academic Microbiology Seminars (JAMS) community in Sydney from 2017 to 2022. Yolanda is passionate about food security and agricultural research and practice, and cares deeply about the future of Australian agriculture. Upon reflection, this passion was likely sparked early on in childhood whilst visiting her Italian grandfather on his sugar cane farm in Bundaberg, Queensland. Blazing-hot days were spent pottering around on his farm, followed by hazy afternoons where she watched the sun set over cane fields. With Italian blood in her veins, Yolanda firmly believes that food is life, and as a microbiologist, has a thorough appreciation for microbes and the gifts they’ve given us (wine, bread, and cheese to name a few). She loves to cook, eat, travel, learn, and garden.