James Petrie works at Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) on plant metabolic engineering. James also leads a cluster of projects focused on increasing the yield of plant-derived oil by producing oil in biomass (leaves and stems) rather than seeds only. This work will help meet the demand created by growing populations and oil consumption. James has also been instrumental in modifying plant seeds to produce long-chain omega-3 oils. These have strong health benefits for consumers and these plants will both reduce pressure on fish stocks as well as create a new land-based production platform.