For the past eight years, Mariana has worked with both flora and fauna subjects, hinged on her academic background that started with an Honours in Science Communication and evolved into a Master’s Degree in Plant Ecology, and a further PhD in Plant Physiological Ecology.

Mariana worked in consultancies in Western Australia doing baseline studies, targeted searches and vegetation monitoring for a few years – and this led her to the biosecurity realm with mapping and planning the control of non-indigenous species.

After her experience with industry partners, Mariana returned to academia as a Research Fellow and Lecturer at the Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, where research and education can be paired with positive change in conservation areas, agricultural systems and with the supervision of graduate students and future researchers.

He previously worked as the Quality Assurance Manager, GrainCorp Operations Ltd 1994 to 2018, where his major responsibilities included providing management systems to cover organisational, customer and regulatory requirements, primarily via:

• Quality Management and related systems/programs.
• Occupational Health and Safety system/program.
• Policy development and policy/program management for OHS, Safety, Pest Control and Hygiene, Food Safety and Environmental programs.
• Ensuring relevant statutory/regulatory or other compliance measures are met, for example; AQIS, APVMA, EPA, WorkCover, Agriculture Dept’s etc

He also chaired the Plant Biosecurity CRC’s Grains Advisory Panel for many years, overseeing the strategic directions, approval and review of the post-harvest grains portfolio.

His research demonstrated the species in question was in fact a highly specialised and interesting native species, Bactrocera opiliae. He then returned to University of Sydney in 1980 and completed a PhD on Competition among Tephritid Fruit Flies and then rejoined CSIRO in 1983 at the Australian Cotton Research Institute, Narrabri, in north western NSW.

During a 20 year career in Narrabri, Dr Fitt advanced to the level of Senior Principal Research Scientist before becoming the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Cotton Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) in 1999, also based at Narrabri. In 2004 he became the Deputy Chief of CSIRO Entomology, and relocated to Brisbane, then Deputy Chief of CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences in 2008, until being appointed Director of the CSIRO Biosecurity Flagship in 2012.  With the formation of CSIRO Health and Biosecurity in 2014 he became Science Director for the new Business Unit. A position he holds today.

Dr Fitt’s research career has focussed broadly in agricultural sustainability with a focus on integrated pest management systems for Helicoverpa species, one of the most damaging pest complexes of Australian and global agriculture. His particular approach has been to understand the moth’s ecology as a foundation for more sustainable pest management. His research in insect movement, migration and host plant resistance provided a great foundation for the development and deployment of transgenic Bt cottons in Australia and the resistance management systems required to sustain this technology.

In the last ten years Dr Fitt has increasingly focussed on the research needs for biosecurity science for Australia and led efforts to protect Australia from invasive species and to address emerging challenges in global risk and infectious diseases. Through the Biosecurity Flagship and now the Health and Biosecurity Business Unit he has broadened applications to address the health challenges to Australia’s people, agricultural industries, environment and economy. The Biosecurity continuum spanning off shore and on shore risks provides a valuable context for the breadth of outcomes the CSIRO’s business in this sector.

Dr Fitt has published 185 refereed publications, contributed to more than 20 books, has 3114 citations and H index of 29.

He has held many other positions, including Board Director of the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC, Chair of an expert panel for the International Cotton Advisory Committee, Member Advisory Committee for the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund, Chair of the Science Advisory Body of the OECD Cooperative Research Program in Sustainable Agriculture. He has held appointments as Adjunct Professor at both the University of New England and the University of Sydney.

Jane has extensive experience in biosecurity emergency responses and has represented the NSW government on consultative committees and national policy forums. Jane has significant expertise with the application of risk assessment to prioritise activities and investment, and seeks to optimise outcomes for industry, public good and the environment.

Jane has worked for NSW Department of Primary Industries for more than 30 years, for the first 11 years in research and since then in a wide variety of management-focused positions.

Olivia obtained a PhD Rural Science in Insect Pest Management from the University of New England, Armidale in 2003, funded by a Cotton Cooperative Research Centre scholarship. After two years working at Marks & Spencer Head Office as a Food and Merchandise General Manager in London, UK, Olivia commenced a stimulating and rewarding three year postdoctorate in South African sugarcane with the University of Witswatersrand and the South African Sugarcane Research Institute. Upon returning to Australia in late 2006, Olivia’s career at NSW Department of Primary Industries as a Principal Research Scientist expanded to include a strong biosecurity focus and she has led, or collaborated on, numerous projects and programs of research across horticulture, grains, cotton, cocoa and sugarcane and has extensive project leadership and management experience. This has continued in her role as a Team Lead with Cesar Australia. In 2017, Olivia completed a Women in Leadership Australia, Advanced Leadership Program providing executive level leadership education. Olivia has published >60 peer-reviewed journals, proceedings and book chapters, numerous industry articles, and media interviews and is passionate about working with relevant stakeholders ensuring impact is realised for agricultural industries.