Cawthron Institute announces new Chief Science Officer, Chief Science Capability Officer

Cawthron Institute has appointed Dr Cath McLeod as the organisation’s first Chief Science Officer.

Cawthron Chief Executive Volker Kuntzsch said Dr McLeod will bring a fresh perspective to Cawthron’s research priorities and will help to ensure Cawthron continues to make a difference through relevant, impactful research.

“Cath will be an exceptional Chief Science Officer, bringing both scientific excellence and rigour to this new role, as well as strong commercial acumen. I’m looking forward to working closely with her to provide strong scientific leadership to ensure we are focusing on the issues that matter most, and will have the biggest impact,” said Kuntzsch.

The role of Chief Science Officer was created by Kuntzsch to ensure a greater focus on strategic areas of research, focusing on opportunities where Cawthron’s research can bridge the gap between science and industry.

“I believe we need to operate with a necessary sense of urgency to deliver research that will help address some of the great pressures our world is facing. Cawthron has the potential to help Aotearoa lead the way in how we manage our freshwater and marine ecosystems to help address climate change-related issues,” said Kuntzsch.

Dr McLeod has held diverse roles within the regulatory, scientific and food industry sectors, and her recent positions include Director of the New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre, where she was pivotal in increasing collaboration on food safety issues across Aotearoa, and Director of the consultancy company Seafood Safety Assessment Ltd, where she focused on providing food safety and market access advice to primary producing industries, retailers and government. McLeod was also the Leader of the Seafood Safety and Market Access Group within the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) from 2008 to 2013 and was a Senior Science Advisor within the Ministry for Primary Industries from 2000 to 2007.

Dr McLeod’s qualifications include an MSc (hons) on marine biotoxins in shellfish and a PhD on foodborne viruses from Victoria University of Wellington, giving her an overarching perspective on two major human food safety issues. She has worked collaboratively with Cawthron Institute since 1998 on a wide variety of research projects, many of which have resulted in significant advances in human health and animal welfare.

“I am really excited to join Cawthron – it’s a research organisation I’ve always held in the highest esteem, and part of the reason I deliberately chose to be positioned in Nelson in my former role. I’m looking forward to supporting Cawthron’s science community to continue to deliver science that makes a difference in the real world, underpins the health of our people and environment, and contributes to a thriving blue economy,” said McLeod.

In addition, Cawthron has also appointed Dr Chris Cornelisen to the newly established role of Chief Science Capability Officer.

This role will work alongside the Chief Science Officer to ensure Cawthron’s science capability is aligned to and working on Cawthron’s scientific priorities. Dr Cornelisen also assumes responsibility for Cawthron’s cutting-edge laboratories and the growing opportunities in data-driven technologies.

Dr Cornelisen is no stranger to Cawthron, having worked for the Institute for the past 16 years, most recently as the Group Manager for coastal and ocean sciences. Chris is passionate about collaboration across public and private sectors and is actively engaged in leadership roles in the Sustainable Seas and Science for Technological Innovation National Science Challenges.

“I’m very excited to be working alongside Cath and across our science disciplines to forge new ways of creating impact and value through science. Cawthron is home to a huge and diverse group of bright minds that serve a common purpose and care deeply about the difference they make. Our passion for delivering impact through science will undoubtedly contribute toward a better future for our region and the world,” said Cornelisen.

Dr McLeod officially takes up the role of Chief Science Officer today, 1 February 2022. Dr Cornelisen started in his new role in late 2021.