New Chief for CSIRO Land and Water

Australia’s environmental research will be significantly boosted by today’s appointment of internationally renowned scientist Professor Paul Bertsch as new Chief of CSIRO Land and Water.

CSIRO Chief Executive Megan Clark said Professor Bertsch was chosen from an outstanding field of national and international science leaders.

“Paul has a track record at the highest level in research, research leadership and collaboration with industry and government,” Dr Clark said.

“I congratulate Paul on his appointment and I personally look forward to his contribution as a scientist and leader in a research area so important to Australia and humanity.”

Professor Bertsch said he has long admired the Australian research enterprise and CSIRO, and looks forward to leading one of the organisation’s largest divisions with more than 500 staff based at nine laboratories around Australia.

“The research activities in the Division of Land and Water are central to a sustainable future for Australia,” Professor Bertsch said.

“Soil and water resources are at the nexus of every major global grand challenge, from climate change, food and water security to biodiversity and the function of natural, managed and built ecosystems.

“I am looking forward to shaping the scientific response that will help solve these challenges and contribute to a more sustainable future for Australia and the global community.”

Professor Bertsch is globally recognised as a pioneer in molecular environmental science. He is currently Director of the Tracy Farmer Institute for Sustainability and the Environment and Professor of Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology, University of Kentucky, Lexington. Prior to this he was the Georgia Power Professor of Environmental Chemistry and Director of the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory at the University of Georgia.

Professor Bertsch commences his new role with CSIRO at the end of February 2013. He will be based at the Ecosciences Precinct in Brisbane.