Director and Chief Executive Officer, SIMS
In 2009 Professor Peter Steinberg was appointed the inaugural Director and CEO of SIMS. He is concurrently Professor in the School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences and Director of the Centre for Marine Bio-Innovation at the University of New South Wales, and Co-Director for the Advanced Environmental Biotechnology Centre, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Professor Steinberg has brought to SIMS his extensive research and academic experience together with commercial knowledge. He has been a Fulbright Scholar, a Queen Elizabeth II Fellow and CEO of an ASX listed biotechnology company focusing on the development of novel antibacterials from marine organisms.
Professor Steinberg is a distinguished researcher who has more than 130 international publications. His research interests include seaweed ecology, diseases of marine organisms, biofouling and antifouling, bacterial biofilm biology, marine chemical ecology and marine biotechnology.
Chief Operating Officer, SIMS
Paul Hallam was appointed Chief Operating Officer of SIMS in 2005, and has been a critical factor in the successful growth of the Institute.
Previously Paul was the Head of the Marine Research Centre on Heron Island, Queensland. Paul’s experience in managing a major redevelopment on Heron Island has been invaluable as SIMS moves towards completion of the extensive program of works to upgrade facilities at Chowder Bay.
Paul was SIMS’ inaugural employee and while he now has the support of a finance officer and administration personnel his responsibilities and knowledge of the Institute remain broad ranging.
Board Of Directors
The SIMS Board of Directors consists of one representative from each of the four founding universities, the Director/CEO of SIMS, the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committeeand two independent directors.
Current Members:
Dr John Keniry AM (Chair)
Professor David Booth
Professor Attila Brungs
Professor Merlin Crossley
Professor Robyn Overall
Professor Jim Piper
Professor Peter Steinberg
Scientific Advisory Committee
The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) has senior scientists from all of the institutions associated with SIMS. The four founding universities each have three representatives on the SAC, with all of the other institutions having one representative.
It is the role of the SAC to act as an advisory committee to the Board of Directors regarding all research and educational activities that are undertaken at SIMS. The SAC is responsible for approving all research projects that take place through SIMS and works in conjunction with the Chief Operating Officer to ensure that the correct equipment and facilities are available.
Current SAC Members:
Chair
Prof David Booth, (University of Technology Sydney)
Deputy Chair
Assoc. Prof. David Raftos (Macquarie University)
Representatives of Founding Members
Prof Maria Byrne (University of Sydney)
Dr Martina Doblin (University of Technology, Sydney)
Dr Will Figueira (University of Sydney)
Dr Paul Gribben (University of Technology, Sydney)
Prof Rob Harcourt (Macquarie University)
A/Prof Emma Johnston (SIMS Sydney Harbour Research Project)
Dr Moninya Roughan (NSW IMOS)
Prof Peter Steinberg (SIMS)
Prof Iain Suthers (University of NSW)
A/Prof Ian Turner (University of NSW)
Dr Ana Vila-Concejo (University of Sydney)
Dr Jane Williamson (Macquarie University)
A/Prof Alistair Poore (University of NSW)
Representatives of Associate Members
Dr. Shane Ahyong (Australian Museum)
Dr. Doug Cato (Defence Science and Technology Organisation)
Assoc. Prof. Andy Davis (University of Wollongong)
Prof. Steve Kennelly (NSW Department of Primary Industries)
Dr. Tim Pritchard (Office of Environment and Heritage)
A/Prof Pauline Ross (University of Western Sydney)
Dr. Sebastian Holmes (University of Western Sydney)
