Dr. Peter Franks

Associate Professor

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Biography

Peter Franks studies the interaction between plants and climate, with a special interest in how plants control photosynthesis and transpiration in response to environmental signals and actions of stomatal pores on the leaf surface. His current work broadly aims to integrate geological and molecular plant physiological information to understand how Earth's climate and vegetation co-evolved over deep geological time, leveraging application of Earth System Models to reveal how CO2 forcing will affect future conditions. Peter graduated with a BSc (Hons) and PhD in plant sciences from the Australian National University in 1998. He has previously served as a Lecturer and Senior Lecturer in plant environmental physiology at James Cook University before joining the University of Sydney as an Australian Research Council Future Fellow and Associate Professor focusing on biosphere-atmosphere interactions. Over his career, Peter has been awarded distinguished research fellowships at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, the University of Cambridge, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, USA. His research aligns with the Faculty of Science Research Strengths, including Understanding Planet, Understanding Life on Earth, Molecules and Materials, Complex Systems, Climate and Environmental Change, Healthy Ecosystems, Food Security, and Sustainability.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor

— Present

University of Sydney • Sydney, Australia

Focus on biosphere-atmosphere interactions.

Senior Lecturer

— Present

James Cook University • Townsville, Australia

Involved in teaching and research in plant environmental physiology.

Awards

#

Australian Research Council Future Fellow

#

Research Fellowships

Requirements for University of Sydney

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:17
Reading
Required:17
Writing
Required:19
Speaking
Required:17
Total
Required:85
PTE
Listening
Required:54
Reading
Required:54
Writing
Required:54
Speaking
Required:54
Overall
Required:61
Prerequisites
A master's degree with a research component or a bachelor's degree with first or second-class honours. Demonstrated research experience and capability.
Application Checklist
  • Academic transcripts
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Research proposal (1000+ words)
  • Two academic referee reports
  • Evidence of residency status
  • Written statement of support from potential supervisor
Specialization Notes

This entry applies to Faculty of Science PhD programs including Departments such as Life and Environmental Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics and Statistics.