MNF Steering Committee

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Overview

The Director of the Marine National Facility (MNF) manages the delivery of the MNF to its users. The Director is employed by CSIRO and, through the Executive Director for Digital, National Facilities and Collections, is ultimately responsible to the Chief Executive, CSIRO. The MNF is subject to CSIRO governance structures and policies.

The independent Marine National Facility Steering Committee (MNFSC) provides high-level advice to the MNF Director. MNFSC members also act as advocates for the MNF. The Committee is charged with providing advice to the MNF Director consistent with CSIRO’s ongoing delivery of ocean research capabilities for the nation and with advocacy on behalf of the MNF.

Operational procedures are consistent with the principles set out in the Guidelines For The Operation Of National Research Facilities report to the Prime Minister by the Australian Science and Technology Council (ASTEC), January 1984.

The MNFSC is supported in performing these functions by two independent sub-committees: Research Advisory Committee and National Benefit Advisory Committee.

For further information about the MNFSC, including delineation of its role, view the MNFSC Charter and Terms of Reference.

Members

Ms Anne-Marie Lansdown | Independent Chair

Ms Anne-Marie Lansdown is an experienced executive who has worked in government in the education and research sectors nationally and internationally. As a senior executive in the Education, Industry and Communications departments she developed a deep understanding of higher education and research policy. In the international space she worked on bilateral science and technology agreements, OECD committees, and UN summits.

Anne-Marie was one of the architects of NCRIS, developing three of the NCRIS roadmaps and the Super Science funding package that included amongst other investments $387.7 million for the new marine research vessel, extensions to the Integrated Marine Observing System network, infrastructure at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and the upgrading of climate change computing.

She was Chief of Staff to Australia’s former Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, and most recently she was Deputy Chief Executive at Universities Australia, where she was responsible for managing the policy agenda.

Anne-Marie currently sits on the boards of the Cooperative Research Australia and the Australian National Imaging Facility, and is a member of the University of Canberra Council. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mr Greg Hood AO | Member (Government Representative)

Chair - Australian Aviation Hall of Fame

Greg Hood is currently Chair of the Australian Aviation Hall of Fame, and Honorary Governor of the Air Sport Australia Confederation.

Greg recently completed a 3-year term as Deputy Chair of Airservices Australia (2021 – 2024) and prior to this appointment, completed a five-year tenure as Chief Commissioner and CEO of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB 2026 – 2021).

Greg has more than 45 years’ experience in the transport industry, beginning his career with almost a decade of service with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). During his RAAF tenure, Greg worked at locations throughout Australia and served in the Middle East.

Greg has since had a wide range of operational, training, and leadership roles in Airservices Australia and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority prior to his appointment as Chief Commissioner of the ATSB in 2016. In this role, he was integrally involved in aviation, maritime and rail transport safety matters.

In addition to being a glider and powered aircraft pilot and a keen sailor, Greg is involved with several professional bodies. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Freeman in the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, a Life Member of the Qantas Founders Museum, and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Greg has also served as a Board Member of Safeskies Australia and was a past president of the Canberra Philharmonic Society. Greg has also served as a member of the business advisory council for World Vision, and for many years, was a Champion for the St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleep-out, raising funds for Australia’s homeless. Greg is also a Director of the Air Force Association, is a judge for Canberra’s community arts 'Ovation Awards', a Crisis Supporter, Mentor and Supervisor at Lifeline, a voluntary guide at the Australian War Memorial, and the youth coordinator for the Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise. Greg was recently appointed to the ACT Committee of the Order of Australia Association.

Greg was made an Office of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2023 for his service to the transport industry and not-for-profit sector.

Ms Katrina Maguire | Member (Government Representative)

Head of the International Environment, Reef and Ocean Division - Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water

Ms Katrina Maguire is the Head of the International Environment, Reef and Ocean Division within the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water. In this role, Katrina leads a team responsible for advancing Australia’s international environmental interests through multilateral and regional agreements and partnerships. Her division plays a critical role in shaping policy and regulatory frameworks for the trade in endangered species, as well as developing and implementing strategic policy for the protection and sustainable management of the Great Barrier Reef and Australia’s vast ocean territories.

With over thirty years of experience in the Australian Public Service, Katrina brings a wealth of expertise across a broad range of environmental and resource management areas. Her career has spanned policy development, regulatory design, international negotiations, strategic communications, and stakeholder engagement. She has contributed to major national and international initiatives in climate change, energy transition, water reform, and fisheries management, consistently demonstrating a commitment to evidence-based policy and collaborative governance.

Katrina holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney, where she developed a strong foundation in public policy and environmental studies. She later completed a Master of Environmental Law at the Australian National University, deepening her understanding of the legal and institutional frameworks that underpin environmental protection and sustainable development.

Katrina is known for her strategic leadership, deep subject matter expertise, and her ability to foster partnerships across government, industry, and civil society to deliver impactful environmental outcomes for Australia and the region.

Dr Elizabeth (Beth) Woods OAM FTSE | Member (Independent)

Chair - Fisheries Research and Development Corporation

Dr Beth Woods was appointed Chair of the FRDC Board from 4 June 2024. She is currently a Commissioner for International Agricultural Research with ACIAR and Chair of the Australian Institute of Marine Science Council. These roles combine her longstanding interests in the contributions of good governance and science to managing the food and environmental systems which support human livelihoods and wellbeing while protecting environmental values.

Beth retired in 2021 as Director-General of the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries where she led development initiatives to deliver an innovative, productive and sustainable agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector. Previously she was the foundation Director of the University of Queensland Rural Extension Centre, and Professor of Agribusiness at UQ from 1997-2004.

Beth has served on a wide range of boards and committees including for the Grains Research & Development Corporation, the CSIRO Board, the Gatton College Council and the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority Board (now QRIDA). She has chaired national R&D activities including RIRDC (now AgriFutures), ACIAR, a National Drought Policy Review, and global research institutes including the International Rice Research Institute headquartered in the Philippines and WorldFish headquartered in Penang. She was the independent Chair of the Policy Council of Cattle Council of Australia (2021-22) and served on the Queensland Government Native Vegetation Scientific Expert Panel in 2021-22.

Beth completed a B Agric Sci (Hons) at the University of Queensland and a D.Phil. in Agricultural Economics at Oxford University. She was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Sciences by the University of Queensland in 2021 for her contribution to agriculture and related research.

Mr Keld Knudsen | Member (Industry Representative)

Queensland Director for the Australian Energy Producers

Mr Keld Knudsen is the Queensland Director for the Australian Energy Producers, the peak body for Australia's oil and gas industry. He has previously worked in the Federal Department of Resources as a Federal Government regulator of offshore petroleum and mineral titles, and as a Government Affairs advisor for Santos Limited, covering Queensland, New South Wales, and the Northern Territory.

Keld is an experienced policy, communications and government relations professional. He has extensive experience and in depth understanding of marine policy areas relating to maritime law, marine coexistence, offshore research development and offshore safety issues, and industry-led marine research.

Professor Jan Strugnell | Member (User Community Representative)

Marine Researcher - James Cook University

Professor Jan Strugnell is a marine researcher at James Cook University in the Department of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, with internationally recognised expertise spanning tropical to polar marine science. She is a member the core leadership team of Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future, an Australian Research Council–funded Special Research Initiative, and served as Director of the Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture from 2019 to 2024.

Jan leads large, multi disciplinary research programs addressing the impacts of environmental change on marine biodiversity, integrating blue water fieldwork with advanced genomic and transcriptomic approaches. Her work is supported by competitive funding from government, industry and philanthropic partners, with research outputs published in leading journals including Science and Nature.

Jan has extensive experience leading and contributing to major Antarctic and deep sea research voyages and is a regular adviser, keynote speaker, and media commentator on marine science and ocean change.

Dr Lyndon Llewellyn | NMSC Ex officio

Deputy Chair - National Marine Science Committee

Dr Lyndon Llewellyn gained his PhD in Marine Biology from the University of Queensland, followed by additional training in analytical biochemistry (University of NSW) and molecular pharmacology (Yale University). Starting out in biotechnology research at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, his interests and roles have moved towards data science, policy and impact. Along the way, he has led multiorganisational (government, industry) projects on e-research, technology development (biosensors), biodiscovery and marine ecotoxicology (using both biomolecular tools and model organisms).

In recent years, Lyndon’s focus on has been on research management which has given him deep experience in the business of doing marine science from the field to the laboratory, and involvement in commercialisation projects has honed his IP skills.

He has a strong interest in the conversion of science into real world impact and maximizing the benefits of marine science to its many stakeholders. This is achieved through understanding the socioeconomic value of marine industries and ecosystems and how research informs their sustainable development. This is informed by his diverse technical experience and the stakeholder engagement history from his science leadership roles. Lyndon is currently Chair of the Science and Technology Committee for the Integrated Marine Observing System and Deputy Chair of the National Marine Science Committee.

Dr Rob Hough | Ex-officio

Executive Director - Technology, National Facilities and Collections, CSIRO

Dr Rob Hough is an Executive Director at CSIRO, responsible for Technology, National Facilities and Collections. He leads CSIRO’s data-focused research and digital capability, and oversees major national research infrastructure including the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre, the Marine National Facility, and the Australia Telescope National Facility.

As a member of CSIRO’s Executive Team, Rob is responsible for the organisation-wide approach to CSIRO’s research portfolio, investment and performance. This included the development of the first version of the CSIRO Book to simply convey the portfolio, released in 2025.

Rob is a geoscientist who has conducted and led applied research for nearly 30 years, holds a BSc from the University of London, a PhD from the Open University (UK), and was awarded the 2022 Gibb-Maitland Medal for research leadership.

Professor Nerilie Abram | Ex officio

Chief Scientist - Australian Antarctic Division

Professor Nerilie Abram is the Chief Scientist at the Australian Antarctic Division. Her research has used Antarctic ice cores to understand how Earth's climate behaved naturally in the past, and how human-caused climate warming is now changing Antarctica and its impacts on Australia.

Nerilie has completed 5 expeditions to Antarctica, including leading the ice drilling programs for Australia’s Denman Terrestrial Campaign in 2023/24.

Prior to commencing her role as Chief Scientist, she was based at the Australian National University and was a Deputy Director of the Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science. Nerilie was a coordinating lead author for the 2019 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report into the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate, and is also serving as a coordinating lead author for the IPCC 7th Assessment Report.

In 2024, Nerilie was elected as a fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.

Professor Alex Brown | CSIRO Board Observer

Professor Alex Brown is an internationally recognised clinician and researcher who has worked in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health for his entire career. Alex is the Professor of Indigenous Genomics at the Telethon Kids Institute and the Australian National University. A proud member of the Yuin nation, he is the first Indigenous scientist appointed to the CSIRO Board, bringing a wealth of experience understanding and overcoming health inequalities and bridging connections across science ecosystems.

The appointment of Professor Alex Brown will help address skills gaps identified by the Board, facilitate greater collaboration between research agencies and universities, and ensure CSIRO’s future direction benefits from being more inclusive.

Ms Toni Moate | MNF Director

Ms Toni Moate is CSIRO's Director, National Collections and Marine Infrastructure, which includes the Marine National Facility, Engineering and Technology Program, Atlas of Living Australia, and National Research Collections Australia.

As the Director, National Collections and Marine Infrastructure, Toni is responsible for ensuring CSIRO's national collections and marine infrastructure are effectively positioned, managed and utilised for long term financial sustainability and support science delivery in the national interest.

In 2015, Toni was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service in Australian marine and atmospheric science, as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours List. This was followed in 2017 when Toni was awarded the Tasmanian Telstra Business Woman of the Year.

In 2025, Toni received the CSIRO Award for Lifetime Achievement, recognising her significant contribution, achievements and leadership across 34 years of service with CSIRO.

Toni is a CPA and is currently a Board Director for Australian Research Data Commons and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, an ex-officio Board Member for the Atlas of Living Australia and a member of the National Marine Science Committee.