Murdoch University has made a new appointment to its Harry Butler Institute, with Professor Marnie Campbell taking on the role of Chair of Biosecurity and Environmental Science.

Announced last year by Murdoch University in partnership with Chevron, the Harry Butler Institute has the aim of promoting high-quality teaching and research in relation the co-existence of business with biodiversity.

A Murdoch University alumnus, Professor Campbell has extensive experience in her field, having completed her PhD in Biology on seagrass restoration in Cockburn Sound while also working for CSIRO.

At the CSIRO Hobart office, she spent five years working at the Centre for Research on Introduced Marine Pests (CRIMP) in the invasion biology team and then the pest management group.

Professor Campbell then worked with the Federal Government in Canberra as a scientific advisor on Marine Protected Areas. From there, she spent time as a consultant to the UN International Maritime Organisation (IMO) training groups in biosecurity surveys; before joining the Australian Maritime College, which became an institute of the University of Tasmania.

She has also held positions for the governing body in biosecurity and fisheries in New Zealand; at university campuses in Melbourne and Gladstone; and completed a post-doctorate on the restoration of the iconic Everglades in Florida, USA.

Director of the Harry Butler Institute, Professor Simon McKirdy said Professor Campbell was appointed following an international search to fill the role.

“Professor Campbell’s drive and passion for conservation and the environment is evidenced by a career in this area that spans more than 20 years.”

Once complete, the Harry Butler Institute will form a major component of Murdoch University’s future Knowledge and Health Precinct.

“The Harry Butler Institute forms part of the University’s research strategy to create three major institutes across our three strengths in health, food, and environmental sustainability,”  Professor McKirdy said.

While planning for the Knowledge and Health Precinct is underway, Professor Campbell will be responsible for increasing the institute’s collaboration with industry; applying for research funding and undertaking research; and mentoring new academics and PhD students.

“We want to build on our current collaboration with Chevron, as well as encourage our researchers to think outside the box when it comes to identifying opportunities to apply for funding,” Professor Campbell said.

In her new position, Professor Campbell also plans to focus on conveying the University’s scientific achievements, and the real-world applications of these, to a broader audience.

“We have some great scientists already working here and we want to increase collaboration with those who work beyond natural sciences, to take a more trans-disciplinary approach to producing practical solutions to environmental problems, now and into the future,” she said.

“There are a lot of great things happening in science that aren’t always well-publicised, so increasing our engagement with the public so that more people can see the impact and importance of the research and discoveries being made here is now more important than ever.”

Further appointments to the Harry Butler Institute will be made in the near term.