Lynette Abbott is Emerita Professor in the School of Agriculture and Environment and Senior Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia (UWA). She earned her BSc from the University of Sydney and PhD from Monash University. Her career at UWA, starting in 1974 as a Research Fellow in Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, includes roles such as Lecturer (1986-1989), Senior Lecturer (1990-1995), Associate Professor (1995-2002), Winthrop Professor (2002-2013), Head of the School of Earth and Environment (2004-2007 and 2009), Vice Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (2010-2012), and Deputy Director of the UWA Institute of Agriculture (2014). In recognition of her 50 years of service, UWA celebrated her contributions in 2024.

Abbott's research expertise lies in soil biology, encompassing the integration of physical, chemical, biological, and hydrological aspects of soil science, with a focus on symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi, particularly arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), in agricultural, horticultural, and forest soils. Her work addresses soil health indicators, the role of soil biota in sustainable farming systems, mine-site rehabilitation, carbon sequestration, biochar interactions, and soil restoration in dry-land agriculture. With 190 research outputs, her publications have been cited over 18,000 times. Notable works include "The knowns, known unknowns and unknowns of sequestration of soil organic carbon" (Stockmann et al., 2013; 2053 citations), "Factors influencing the occurrence of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas" (Abbott & Robson, 1991; 665 citations), and "What is soil biological fertility?" (Abbott & Murphy, 2007; 466 citations). She has received the inaugural General Jeffery Soil Health Award (2021), Soil Science Australia Society Fellow (2016), Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology Fellow (1993), and several teaching awards. Abbott has developed extension programs including the SOILHEALTH app and workshops for farmers on soil health.

Professional Email: lynette.abbott@uwa.edu.au