The Australian Government has appointed Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM to the CSIRO Board for a three-year term, commencing 3 January 2025.
Dr Foley is an internationally recognised Australian physicist and served as Australia’s ninth Chief Scientist from January 2021 to December 2024.
Prior to this, she had an extensive research and management career at CSIRO and was appointed CSIRO’s Chief Scientist in August 2018.
While at CSIRO, she made significant contributions to the understanding of nitride semiconductors and superconducting electronics.
Dr Foley’s scientific excellence and influential leadership have been recognised with numerous awards and fellowships, including election to the Australian Academy of Science in 2020, and an Order of Australia for service to research science and to the advancement of women in physics.
She received the Australian Institute of Physics Medal for Outstanding Service to Physics in 2016. She is a Fellow of Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering (2008) and an honorary Fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics (2019).
Dr Foley has been a strong advocate for women in STEM across the globe, focusing strongly on equality and diversity in the science sector.
Dr Foley's appointment was announced by the Minister for Industry and Science, The Hon Ed Husic MP.
