People

Key contacts


Research Director, Livestock and Aquaculture

  • PhD in immunology, and interests in aquatic animal health, including disease processes, immunology, diagnostics and treatment. Passionate about applying cutting edge science to address the challenges in improving Livestock Aquaculture Productivity and Sustainability.
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Research Group Leader, Nutrition & Production Systems

  • Cedric, Senior Research Scientist, has broad research interests, including the digestive physiology and nutritional requirements of crustaceans, fish and molluscs, the non-invasive assessment of nutritional and health condition using novel tools, feed additives, feed extrusion, and sustainable aquafeed ingredients and formulation. He holds a PhD in Marine Science from the University of Auckland and a BSc in Aquaculture from James Cook University.
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Research Group Leader, Health & Resilience

james kijas

Research Group Leader, Future Breeding

  • James is a molecular geneticist with an international reputation in the field of animal genomics. He joined the Aquaculture program in 2016 to work on Atlantic salmon sex determination and maturation, barramundi applied breeding and genomic tool development. He currently serves as group leader for Breeding and Genomics.
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Dr Sabine Schmoelzl

Research Group Leader, Smart Sustainable Livestock Systems

  • Dr Sabine Schmoelzl is a Principal Research Scientist and group leader for Sustainability and Welfare with CSIRO Agriculture and Food based in Armidale, leading research in the areas of livestock reproduction and production. The research is focussed on developing novel phenomics approaches to complex industry problems. Research project to improve lamb survival are using on-animal sensor technologies to assess ewe lambing behaviours and metabolic activity, along with pen-side metabolic marker measurements of neonatal lamb metabolic status. Dr Schmoelzl co-leads research to develop novel markers for dark cutting in beef, using proteomics analysis to identify candidates for rapid test technology. Dr Schmoelzl is involved in inter-disciplinary research investigating strategies to increase drought resilience of Australian livestock production. Dr Schmoelzl has conducted research in Germany, Canada, Kenya and Australia.
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A&F Deputy Director Impact, Future Protein Lead

  • PhD in bioanalytical mass spectrometry. Michelle uses mass spectrometry (MS) and proteomics to help identify key proteins that will benefit Australia's livestock, aquaculture and plant industries and improve human health. She is leading the Future Protein mission which aims to catalyse Australia’s protein industry growth by delivering high quality, affordable and sustainable protein for the health of Australians and our environment.
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Dr Sonja Dominik

Trusted Agrifood Exports, Sustainability Credentials

  • Sonja is a quantitative geneticist and has broad knowledge across a range of trait complexes, such as health, reproduction, methane emission and production, and across livestock and aquaculture species. Her group is well networked into the supply chain and sustainability initiatives across CSIRO and externally with international recognition in the group’s science areas.


Senior Research Scientist, Target Area Lead

  • With the ultimate vision to mitigate diseases in aquaculture, my team are applying next-generation approaches to underpin the rational design of new or improved diagnostics, treatments and control strategies. As an inclusive and diverse team of talented students, post-docs and research scientists, we aspire to have a positive impact on the aquaculture industry.
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