Dr Cathy Foley.

Dr Cathy Foley: Chief, CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering

Dr Cathy Foley is bringing together a diverse range of expertise to support the Australian manufacturing industry.

• 6 April 2011 | Updated 14 October 2011

Profile

• Current activities
• Background

Current activities

Dr Cathy Foley was appointed Chief at CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering (CMSE) Division in April 2011.

Dr Foley said it is a privilege to be taking on the appointment during this exciting time in materials science.

'CMSE is at the forefront of materials science and engineering and is delivering world-class innovation in new materials and engineered systems at the intersection of biology, chemistry and physics,' she said.

As the chief of CMSE, Dr Foley aims to create a fun and innovative work environment in which each person is able to contribute to high quality research and development that has a substantial impact scientifically and commercially.

'CMSE is unique in the range of scientific disciplines it encompasses. We will continue to build our world class science and engineering within and across these disciplines, and capitalise on the opportunities presented by this.'

Dr Foley has a world-class reputation in her field, and is the President of the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS), a member of the Prime Minister's Science and Engineering Innovation Council (PMSEIC) and Fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ASTE).

'In addition to materials research, I am also very interested in science in the media, science education and women in science and engineering,' Dr Foley said.

Background

Dr Foley's career at CSIRO has been broad, influential and widely cited.

Her research expertise covers solid state physics, such as semiconductors, magnetics, superconductivity and nanotechnology.

Highlights of her long career include leading the High Temperature Superconductivity (HTS) group in 1995, instigating CSIRO's presence in quantum engineering in 2001, and developing the fabrication technology which is the basis of CSIRO’s successful HTS devices used in award-winning applications such as LANDTEM™ mineral exploration systems.

Learn more about CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering.