Top scientists appointed as CSIRO Fellows

CSIRO Fellowship is a merit-based award given to scientists who have demonstrated eminence in their field.

The appointments were made by CSIRO Chief Executive, Dr Geoff Garrett. The CSIRO Fellows were each presented with a CSIRO-produced titanium ring, a token of the dedication and eminence that each has displayed in their chosen field of science.

The new CSIRO Fellows are:

• Dr Trevor Bird (CSIRO Information and Communication Technologies Centre); for his contributions to reflector antennas, multiple beam antennas and arrays;
• Dr Greg Constable (CSIRO Plant Industry); for his work in cotton research, including plant physiology, crop agronomy, farming systems and plant breeding.
• Dr Ron Ekers (Australian Telescope National Facility); for his impact in the field of extragalactic astronomy, galactic nuclei and the techniques of radio astronomy.
• Dr Dick Manchester (Australian Telescope National Facility); for his study of pulsars and supernova remnants.
• Dr Trevor McDougall (CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research); for his work in oceanography, particularly on fundamental issues in the field of ocean mixing.
• Dr Steve Rintoul (CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research); for his work in physical oceanography with a keen interest in the role of the ocean in the earth’s climate system, particularly the Southern Ocean.
• Dr David Trimm (CSIRO Petroleum Resources); for his work in heterogeneous catalysis (catalysis where the catalyst is in a different phase – solid, liquid, gas etc – to the reactants) and its applications.

The seven new Fellows join the three existing CSIRO Fellows – Dr Jim Peacock and Liz Dennis, both renowned plant scientists from CSIRO Plant Industry, and Dr Ezio Rizzardo from CSIRO Molecular & Health Technologies.

The Fellows will be closely involved in a number of CSIRO initiatives planned to enhance the organisation’s science and attract more young scientists.