Jonathan completed his PhD at the University of Queensland where his research focused on genes and signalling pathways involved in plant defence against fungal pathogens with a particular emphasis on cross-talk between signalling pathways. In 2003 he moved to Perth to work with CSIRO on resistance to fungal pathogens in legumes. His current work focuses on developing novel approaches to resistance to Rhizoctonia and other fungal pathogens in cereals and legumes through an understanding of plant defences and fungal pathogenicity mechanisms.