Dr Beth Fulton leads an ecosystem modelling group at CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research in Hobart.

Marine scientist named Life Scientist of the Year

Reference: 07/186

Dr Beth Fulton of the Wealth from Oceans National Research Flagship has been awarded the Science Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year.

• 19 September 2007

The award recognises Dr Fulton’s outstanding achievements in marine ecosystem modelling and her impact on understanding climate change and managing the impacts of fishing.

Her work has had major international impacts on marine ecosystem science and is shaping the new field of ecosystem-based management.

“I am greatly honoured to receive this award and to see the importance of understanding and managing whole ecosystems recognised in this way,” Dr Fulton said.

Dr Fulton’s research involves identifying new directions in marine ecosystem modelling and driving model development. She was the first person to systematically explore the optimum level of complexity for ecosystem models.

Atlantis, developed by Dr Fulton for whole of ecosystem modelling for marine environments, is the only model in the world that gives equal attention to the biophysical and human components of marine ecosystems.

Atlantis was rated world’s best for strategic evaluation of marine management issues by the Food and Agriculture Organisation in 2007 and was the first model to be used to assess a whole of fishery management plan from an ecosystem perspective.

Dr Fulton completed a Bachelor of Science with Honours at James Cook University in 1997 and a PhD with the University of Tasmania and CSIRO in 2001.

Dr Fulton joined CSIRO as a Postdoctoral Fellow in 2001 to study the ecological effects of fishing and develop regional models to help planners choose effective management strategies for Australian waters. She currently leads a marine ecosystem modelling team based at CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research in Hobart.

The Prime Minister's Prizes for Science are a national tribute to excellent and dedicated work in Australian science and science teaching.

The Science Minister's Prize for Life Scientist of the Year is awarded to a scientist aged thirty-five years or younger to honour excellent research and highlight that our early-stage career scientists are producing world-class research.

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