National Marine Science Centre
about us > staff
Academic and Research Staff
Professor Alistair McIlgorm - Director
For the past nine years Professor McIlgorm has run a private consultancy, working on more than 50 fisheries and marine management projects for a range of State, Commonwealth and international agencies. While running his consultancy, Professor McIllgorm lectured part-time at the Centre for Marine Science, University of New South Wales and has been an Honorary Senior Research fellow at the University of Wollongong, involved in research for the Marine Conservation Working Group of APEC.
Prior to establishing the consultancy, he was an Associate Director of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Environment at the Australian Maritime College. He has a PhD from the University of Queensland, in which he modelled management of the East Australian tuna fishery.
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6648 3900 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 |
Associate Professor Steve Smith
Assoc. Prof. Steve Smith is a marine biologist with an interest in marine and estuarine invertebrate communities, how these communities respond to various types of human impact, and some of the conservation methods that can be used to manage them.
Steve's research involves the application of a range of quantitative methods and he has consequently had considerable experience with the use of a wide variety sampling and analytical techniques.
Much of his research centres on the Solitary Islands Marine Park offshore from the National Marine Science Centre but he is also actively involved in projects in the sub-Antarctic, Antarctica, and the Great Barrier Reef.
Homepage: http://www.une.edu.au/staff/ssmith2.php
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6648 3908 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 |
Associate Professor Richard Faulkner
Associate Professor Richard Faulkner comes from a background in environmental engineering, with emphasis on water. He has worked professionally in Europe, Africa and Asia as well as Australia. His current and future research activities are orientated towards hydrology and maintenance of environmental quality. He has carried out research on the impact of sewage effluent release on marine environments, and marine pollution is of key interest. Richard has experience of coastal engineering and management, and associated hydraulics.
Richard is currently co-supervising research work related to coastal rivers and estuaries is investigating the influence of land management practice on the hydrology and health of the river system and estuary, and looking at the hydrological aspects of environmental flow allocation. Another project is investigating the impact of floodgate operation on the estuarine wetlands in the lower Clarence catchment. This involves modeling the hydrology and of the saline flow into the wetlands, and ultimately finding management scenarios that will assist in (sea) fish passage and breeding. Richard is part of the research centre NCAL (North Coast Aquatic Linkages), together with colleagues Rod Simpson and Steve Smith at the National Marine Science Centre (Coffs Harbour), and staff from UNE Armidale.
Homepage: http://www.une.edu.au/staff/rfaulkne.php
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6648 3924 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 |
Dr Symon Dworjanyn
Symon’s current research interests lie in the aquaculture and ecology of seaweeds and invertebrates.
Aquaculture: Future demand for food and industrial products from the oceans will be increasingly satisfied by aquaculture. This presents opportunities to develop new aquaculture species, improve the production potential of existing species and importantly create aquaculture systems that have positive or minimal environmental impacts. Some of our current aquaculture research projects investigate the aquaculture of the tropical sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla, aquaculture of seaweeds from the Caulerpa genus as sea vegetables, disease resistance and productivity in cultivated seaweeds in South East Asia, seaweeds as fertilisers and integrated open and closed system aquaculture.
Climate Change: As our oceans get warmer and become more acidic the greatest challenge to marine ecologists is predicting impacts and looking at ways of mitigating the effects of climate change. A key component of our research investigates how climate change impacts on marine invertebrates and seaweeds and tests whether microevoutionary adaptation will mitigate these effects. Facilitating our research at the National Marine Science Centre we have: a flow through ocean acidification facility where CO 2 partial pressure and temperature can be manipulated in combination in a flow through seawater system allowing for long term climate change experiments; a licensed commercial scale aquaculture hatchery that produces fish and invertebrates for sale and research.; and an extensive indoor and outdoor flowthrough seawater system.
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6648 3909 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 |
Dr Steven Purcell
Dr Steven Purcell started his marine ecology career studying ecomorphology in herbivorous fishes and their interaction with reef algae. He led research in Western Australia on an Aboriginal fishery for topshell gastropods (Trochus) and collaborated on projects in Vanuatu and the Philippines. As a scientist for the WorldFish Center in New Caledonia, Steve coordinated research on technology for restocking sea cucumber fisheries and a multidisciplinary project to assess national invertebrate fishery stocks. His published research spans a range of subjects including morphology, diurnal behaviours, marine sediment analysis, taxonomy, population genetics, feeding ecology, reef detritus and algae, tagging and chemical marking, and fishery restocking and invertebrate fisheries management. He is author of several technical books and book chapters, and 20 peer-reviewed research articles. Steve joined the NMSC in 2009 and aims to conduct research on rocky reef communities and invertebrate fisheries. He brings years of experience teaching tropical ichthyology and marine biology, and supporting workshops on fisheries stocking and management. Steve’s ethos in teaching involves a responsibility to student learning, and active mentoring to promote skilled graduates and post-graduates.
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6648 3906 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 | |
Dr Anna Scott
Anna Scott is employed by Southern Cross University as an Associate Lecturer at the National Marine Science Centre. She is the unit assessor for two third year units: Marine Systems Science and Management and Sustainable Use of the Marine Environment.
Anna’s main research interests include: cnidarian reproductive biology, reef restoration and mariculture. In 2001, she received first class honours for her thesis that examined the effects of elevated nutrients and reduced salinity on scleractinian coral reproductive success. Anna then went on to complete her PhD in 2007, which provided the first scientific description of the sexual reproduction, larval development, settlement and metamorphosis of sea anemones that provide essential habitat for anemonefish. She is now expanding upon this successful research and is developing optimal methods for the culture of host sea anemones in captivity.
Anna has received funding to present her research findings at both international and national conferences. She is also passionate about communicating the results of her work to the general public and has given numerous presentations to community groups, and various radio and television interviews.
Homepage: http://www.scu.edu.au/staffdirectory/...person=8753
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6648 3923 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 | |
| Mob: | 0421 181 484 |
Andrew Carroll
Andrew is an Associate Lecturer at the National Marine Science Centre, assisting all Southern Cross University Undergraduate Marine Science and Management units taught at the Centre. Andrew’s PhD research focus centres on the sexual reproduction, larval development, settlement and dispersal potential of Acropora reef corals at Moorea, French Polynesia. Andrew is part of a French/Australian collaborative research program investigating the influence of reproductive and recruitment processes on the structure and dynamics of coral reef assemblages at Moorea, and has been successful in providing the first detailed records of spawning by Acropora reef corals in French Polynesia. The impacts of coral reef bleaching on coral survival and reproductive potential are also focal points of his research. This information is providing new insights into the reproductive processes that affect population maintenance at Moorea and will assist in determining the likely recovery rates for coral reef communities impacted by disturbance. More recently he has been involved in an additional French/Australian collaborative project examining the influence of anthropogenic perturbations on coral reproductive and recruitment processes at Noumea, New Caledonia. Andrew has presented at national and international conferences, has a broad interest in many areas of marine science, particularly as they relate to the management, protection and conservation of marine biodiversity.
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6648 3920 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 |
Adjunct 
Professor Rod Simpson
During his career, Rod has worked as a research scientist overseas and with the Australian Antarctic Division and the Environmental Section of the Australian Atomic Energy Commission before joining the academic staff at the University of New England. He has also undertaken studies overseas at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (UK) and the University of Santa Cruz (USA). He has produced over 70 scientific publications, received an award for excellence in teaching from the University of New England (team teaching with Dr Steve Smith), and has attracted over $1.5 million in research funding while a university staff member
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6648 3900 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 |
Professor Peter Harrison - SCU Lismore
Professor, School of Environmental Science & Management, Southern Cross University
Prof. Peter Harrison has more than twenty years experience with marine research and teaching. He was a founding member of the postgraduate student team at James Cook University who discovered the mass coral spawning phenomenon on the Great Barrier Reef in 1981, and was a joint recipient of the 1992 Eureka Prize for Environmental Research for this discovery, and subsequent research on this phenomenon.
Peter is interested in all aspects of marine science and its application to marine conservation and management, and has supervised may Postgraduate, Honours and Integrated Project students on marine topics, ranging from coral reef ecology and management to whale conservation.
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6620 3774 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6621 2669 |
Associate Professor Graham Jones - SCU Lismore
Associate Professor, School of Environmental Science & Management, Southern Cross University.
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6620 3009 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6621 2669 |
Dr Nick Holmes – SCU Lismore
Adjunct Professor, School of Environmental Science & Management, Southern Cross University.
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6620 3766 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6621 2669 |
Dr David Lloyd – SCU Lismore
Senior Lecturer, School of Environmental Science & Management, Southern Cross University.
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6626 9401 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6621 2669 |
Dr Danny Bucher – SCU Lismore
Senior Lecturer, School of Environmental Science & Management, Southern Cross University.
Homepage: http://www.scu.edu.au/staff_pages/dbucher/
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6620 3665 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6621 2669 |
Non-academic Staff
Gail Jacob – Executive Officer
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6648 3902 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 |
Shari Pearce – Administrative Officer
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6648 3900 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 |
Alison King – Technical Services Manager
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6648 3914 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 |
Ken Cowden –Technical Operations Manager
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6648 3916 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 |
Gary Shipley – Technical Assistant
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6648 3916 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 |
Jeff Guy – Project Consultant
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6648 3913 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 |
Tom Bowling – Aquarium Curator
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6649 3932 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 |
Stephan Soule – Schools Program and Aquarium Tour Coordinator
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6649 3918 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 |
Inge Aaen – Aquarium Assistant Manager
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6649 3900 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 |
Chantelle Burns – Aquarium Guide
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6649 3900 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 |
Joel Robinson – Aquarium Guide
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6649 3900 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 |
Sandra Van Veluwen – Aquarium Guide
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box 4321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6649 3900 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6651 6580 |