John Oakeshott has led CSIRO Entomology's biotechnology programs since the late 80's. He has personally pioneered the development and commercialization of novel enzyme technologies for bioremediating pesticides and other toxins from contaminated liquids and commodities. He has initiated and led the development of several gene/enzyme technologies for producing industrial chemicals in transgenic crop biofactories. He has managed the development and commercialization of several other diagnostic and biopesticide technologies. He has published about 150 papers and is co-inventor of several patent families. John has served on federal committees regulating Australian gene technology for almost two decades, providing their major entomological expertise during the introduction of transgenic cottons.