About the OI
WHAT WE DO
About the UWA Oceans Institute
The UWA Oceans Institute brings together the University’s multidisciplinary research strengths across areas including oceanography, ecology, engineering, resource management and governance to address key ocean challenges.
We work with local, state and federal governments, industry and business, research institutions and the community to protect, restore, and sustain the marine ecosystems that underpin the wellbeing of communities and the health of the planet.
OUR PEOPLE
Meet the OI Team
Professor Christophe Gaudin
Director
Christophe is an offshore geotechnical engineer and scientist with a focus on supporting and developing marine renewable energy using multidisciplinary approaches. Christophe has held several leadership roles, including Head of the Oceans Graduate School, Director of the National Geotechnical Centrifuge Facilities, Director of the Centre for Offshore Foundation Systems, and Director of Marine Energy Research Australia, which he founded to support industry, scientists and government in developing innovative offshore renewable energy technology and in defining the future energy landscape in Australia and worldwide.
Christophe is passionate about all things associated with the marine environment, and notably in bringing together all stakeholders to address the scientific and social challenges currently faced by our oceans.
Christophe also sits on the Oceans Institute External Advisory Board.
Professor Nicki Mitchell
Deputy Director
Nicki is an interdisciplinary researcher with a background studying the physiological ecology of reptiles and amphibians. She works across marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments to explore the capacity of threatened species to survive rapid environmental change, and to offer management solutions. Nicki has a long-term research program on the impact of climate change on sea turtles, and has a scientific advisory role in biodiversity conservation and policy with the Commonwealth government.
Nicki also sits on the Oceans Institute External Advisory Board.
Emily Glover
Business Support Manager
Emily’s background is in strategic communications and multi-stakeholder engagement. She works alongside the team to design and implement projects and initiatives that advance the goals of the Institute and drive successful business outcomes.
Monica Mackman
Senior Administrative Officer
Mon has an extensive background in providing administrative and executive support, with a strong focus on research groups and schools within tertiary education institutions. She provides high-level executive and comprehensive administrative support to the Oceans Institute’s marine Chairs and Fellows.
Cora Castens
Executive Assistant
Cora is an accomplished Executive Assistant with a 20 year+ career supporting executive and senior management levels in corporate, government and higher education sectors throughout Australia.
Vivienne White
Communications Officer
Viv has a background in environmental biology and science communication, with a passion for sharing science in interesting ways to wide ranging audiences. She promotes engagement within the WA community and beyond to raise science awareness.
External Advisory Board
Made up of senior representatives from major research institutions, industry and government, the Oceans Institute External Advisory Board provides independent, high-level advice on industry and policy needs, as well as trends in the Indian Ocean region, to guide our strategic planning.
Dr Jock Clough
Chair, UWA Oceans Institute Advisory Board
Jock has an extensive background in the engineering, finance and aquaculture industries. He is also an advisory board member at The Nature Conservancy (Australia), is on the advisory committee of the WA Maritime Museum and is a co-trustee of The Jock Clough Marine Foundation.
Holly Buschman
Executive Director, Natural Ecosystems, Minderoo Foundation
Holly is an experienced leader in sustainability and environmental management. She was previously appointed Vice President of Sustainability Strategy at South32, and spent over a decade at BHP in various principal roles, significantly contributing to climate resilience and sustainability as Head of Climate Resilience. Her work focuses on strategies to enhance resilience against climate impacts and improve biodiversity.
Lucas Cary
Principal Strategy & Improvement, Rio Tinto
Lucas’ work delivers environment strategy and strategic projects to support an integrated network of mines, independent port terminals, and a rail network spanning nearly 2,000 kilometres. He has worked in various roles supporting environmental management across Rio Tinto's Pilbara Mines, Supply Chain Services and Operational and Technical Support, in both advisory and leadership capacities and functional and site-based roles.
Dr Alicia Sutton
Research Manager, WAMSI
Alicia has worked with WAMSI over many years, before formally joining the team as Research Manager. She is part of the Location Data Management Services team supporting quality control on data collection for the WAMSI Westport Marine Science Program. Alicia collaborates with other marine consultancies, government agencies, and leading marine research institutions on a range of projects. She is currently national president of the Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA).
Professor Michael Wear
Founder, Tidal Moon; Professor of Practice, Murdoch University
Michael is a Malgana Traditional Custodian of Shark Bay in Western Australia. He has spent more than 30 years working on and around the ocean and supporting the creation of Indigenous jobs and livelihoods. Founding Tidal Moon, Michael united three Aboriginal communities to develop a commercial sea cucumber business that would create economic opportunity, promote environmental stewardship, and provide a way for the younger generation to reconnect with and care for country.
Dr Tony Worby
Independent Consultant
Tony has diverse experience in the scientific field, previously serving as the Chief Scientist at the Minderoo Foundation. He started his career at the Australian Antarctic Division, and has since held executive positions at both Minderoo and CSIRO. With a PhD in Antarctic Glaciology, Tony is passionate about ocean conservation, values-based leadership and corporate social responsibility.
OUR EXPERTS
Bright minds helping us solve
big problems
