World-renowned physicist appointed as CSIRO Chief Scientist

Dr Cathy Foley has been appointed as Chief Scientist for Australia’s national science agency — a role which will see her champion science and its contribution to the world.

A world-renowned physicist and science leader, Dr Foley joined the CSIRO Division of Applied Physics in 1985 as a National Research Fellow, before being promoted to Senior Research Scientist in 1991, Principal Research Scientist in 1996, Senior Principal Research Scientist in 2000 and Chief Research Scientist in 2008. She is currently the Deputy Director and Science Director of CSIRO’s manufacturing business unit.

Dr Foley is most noted for her work developing superconducting devices and systems which have assisted in unearthing over $6 billion in minerals worldwide. She has also been an advocate for women in science, the communication of science and science education over the past 30 years.

Dr Foley was awarded a Public Service Medal on Australia Day in 2003 and in the same year won the Eureka Prize for the promotion of science. She was a national winner of the Telstra Business Women’s Award for Innovation in 2009 and received the NSW Premier’s Award for Woman of the Year in 2013.

She is credited with helping to create LANDTEM, a technology that uses superconductors to detect minerals deep underground. In 2015, she and her team were awarded the prestigious Clunies Ross award for the innovation.

Dr Foley will start her new role at the end of September, and said her priority will be promoting science, STEM and women in science.

“Australia’s future prosperity will be fuelled by science — science which creates new industries, new jobs and shapes the minds and aspirations of our future leaders,” Dr Foley said.

“We can’t keep thinking about science as something which is locked away in a lab. It connects and drives everything we touch and do.

“I’m looking forward to not just spreading the word, but helping shape the science agenda and raising the profile of the role of women in STEM.”

CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall said Dr Foley is an incredible leader and scientist, “with a passion for turning excellent science into powerful solutions for Australia”.

“I am looking forward to seeing her make this role her own, and bringing the voice of CSIRO science to help Australia navigate a path to prosperity through global disruption,” he said.

Pictured: Dr Cathy Foley.