CSIRO Mathematical and Information Sciences' new Chief, Dr Louise Ryan

Harvard Professor heads CSIRO maths research

Reference: 09/26

A Professor and former Chair of Biostatistics at the prestigious Harvard University in Boston, USA, Dr Louise Ryan, has been appointed Chief of CSIRO Mathematical and Information Sciences.

• 18 February 2009

An Australian who left for the US 29 years ago to do her PhD, Dr Ryan has a distinguished career in biostatistics – a field which develops new statistical methods for health and medicine, biology and environmental sciences.  She is no stranger to CSIRO, having visited many times over the years, including most recently on a Fellowship from the Harvard Club Foundation of Australia.

Dr Ryan has contributed her statistical expertise to a broad range of public health problems, including designing and analysing clinical trials to identify better treatments for cancer and identifying environmental exposures to toxic substances, such as arsenic in drinking water in developing countries.

Dr Ryan is passionate about the use of cutting-edge quantitative methods to guide environmental and public policy.  She advocates the concept of integrating information from multiple sources that might include qualitative (e.g. expert opinion) and quantitative data (e.g. environmental measurements). ”It’s like asking your friends for advice,” she says. “It's always better to ask more than one person, consider their different perspectives, but then make your own decision.”  

In her new role at CSIRO Dr Ryan will oversee mathematical and statistical scientists working on applications ranging from agriculture, light metal production, and environmental modelling to genetics, supercomputing, financial risk and transport logistics.

“I look forward to active membership in the Australian mathematical and statistical community and guiding quantitative research that has real impact for Australia’s future,” Dr Ryan says. 

“I want to build on and enhance CSIRO’s reputation for developing and applying innovative mathematical and statistical tools for a whole range of different industry sectors and science areas. I also want to strengthen our links with universities, both here and overseas, so that Australia can develop, nurture and retain its own talent, as well as become a magnet for the top mathematical and statistical talent worldwide,” she says.

CSIRO Mathematical and Information Sciences employs more than 150 people in eight locations in Australia and is a key player in many of the National Research Flagships initiated by CSIRO to address national challenges. The Division collaborates with many universities, research organisations and companies in Australia and overseas.

Based in North Ryde, Sydney, Dr Ryan took up her new role with CSIRO a few weeks ago.  She will remain on the Harvard faculty as an Adjunct Professor of Biostatistics. 

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