Our Team

Helen Cathles

Chair, Board of Directors

Helen is a grazier who runs a 4000 ha property at Wee Jasper, NSW, in partnership with her husband, Ian. The property runs fine/superfine wool Merinos and Angora goats, and also operates as a conferencing and farm stay business.

Helen has previously owned and managed a sheepskin manufacturing and retailing business at Wee Jasper from 1979-1996.  This business had good domestic and small export markets. She also taught manufacture of sheepskin techniques in North Korea, 1985.

Helen has the ability to liaise with all levels of Government and with people from all walks of life, and to coordinate and bring people together. Helen has presented at seminars on the impact of wild dogs and the outcomes from a cooperative management approach.

Murray Rankin

Director

Murray has extensive director, senior consulting and executive experience gained over 25 years in Information Communications Technology, national security, law enforcement, renewable energy and the private equity finance sectors.

Murray will build on the entrepreneurial business and commercial focus of the Board. He is passionate about helping organisations achieve their objectives and deliver stakeholder value through the application of good governance and sound strategy. Murray currently holds Chair and Director positions on eight boards.

Peter Noble

Director

Peter is an executive leader and senior lawyer with an international profile developed with prominent global law firms, and seats on numerous boards and executive leadership teams.

He has a notable legal career history of significant matters and executive roles in large complex organisations, and specialisations in governance and risk management, strategic acquisition, integration management, and sustainability. In addition to his legal and executive leadership experience he holds numerous appointments including academic, industrial, business and to the board of a United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative.

Peter has a background working in RD&E management of IP and commercialisation and is also a producer in his own right in the Southern Highlands backgrounding about 100 steers a year. He also uses soil testing to improve pastures and assist in weed eradication.

David Palmer

Director

David has extensive agricultural experience as well as leadership and governance experience spanning 30 years.

This includes Managing Director of Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) 2006 – 2011 during the Free Trade Agreement negotiations in the United States and the development of TRILAMB, a three-country initiative designed to safeguard Australian lamb imports to the United States.

He has a focus on sound administration, good governance of industry funds and a track record of proven communication skills at all levels in the Australian red meat sector. David has held State and Federal advocacy positions, currently holding a number of senior chair and director positions on associated livestock and agricultural industry boards and authorities.

Dr Glen Saunders

Director

Dr Saunders has over 40 years’ experience in pest animal management and research.

In that time he has conducted research which has been particularly focused on improving management strategies for pest animals in line with best practice principles and with an ongoing theme of providing information appropriate for decision making on the basis of costs and benefits. He holds a PhD from Bristol University (UK) and has held many senior research and management leadership roles in both NSW DPI and the Invasive Animals CRC.

These include Director of Invasive Plants and Animals and Senior Principal Research Scientist in NSW DPI and Director of Research in the CRC. He is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra and a past president of the Australasian Wildlife Management Society (AWMS). He has served on many committees which have guided pest animal management activities nationally and internationally.

Dr Andrew Sanger

Director

Andrew Sanger has a background in freshwater fisheries and biosecurity research, management and compliance.

After completing a PhD at the University of Melbourne, he spent 10 years in Tasmania working on native fish conservation, recreational fisheries research and management, and limnological investigations of the State’s many lakes and reservoirs. In NSW he worked with NSW Fisheries in inland fisheries management and regional management of research and compliance, before moving into biosecurity compliance with NSW Department of Primary Industries.

He is currently Director of Invasive Plant and Animals with NSW DPI where he leads teams involved in invasive species strategy and policy, management programs, and research. Andrew is also currently the NSW representative on the Invasive Plants and Animals Committee and chairs the Marine Pest Sectoral Committee, both of which report to the National Biosecurity Committee. Andrew is also a director on the board of the Grahan Centre for Agricultural Innovation.

In addition to his areas of technical responsibility, Andrew has a strong interest in legislation and compliance, governance, executive management, and workplace health and safety.

Andreas Glanznig

Mr Andreas Glanznig is the CEO of the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS). CISS is the successor to the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, also led by Mr Glanznig between 2010 and 2017, Australia’s largest integrated invasive animals research and innovation collaboration.

Over its 12-year life, the IA CRC developed a suite of new pest control products including rabbit and carp biocontrol agents, new genetic surveillance techniques, new wild dog, fox and feral pig toxic baits, and strategic knowledge and planning tools to strengthen collaborative regional scale integrated pest management.

Mr Glanznig’s 30 year career has traversed executive science management, policy analysis and advocacy, and strategic communications. Former roles include leading the World Wildlife Fund’s advocacy team on invasive species legislative and policy reform, and an Australian Government policy analyst.

Mr Glanznig has also served as a Director of the Weeds Cooperative Research Centre and the Global Invasive Species Program. He has degrees in Science and Letters, and a Masters of Business Administration.

Carolyn Campbell-Wood

Carolyn Campbell-Wood is the General Manager of the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions. Her role is to oversee the day to day operations of the company and create an environment that co-ordinates and drives innovative, rigorous and strategic solutions that supports the delivery of the company’s objectives with the most efficient and effective use of the available resources.

Carolyn is a committed and dedicated professional who sustainability balances the business imperative of competitive advantage with accountability, integrity, innovation and risk management.

Carolyn has CPA, Company Secretary, governance and education credentials which are enhanced and broadened by the more than 25 years’ experience in executive management. She has worked in Professional Services, the Health sector and education but is particularly passionate about and feels privileged to be a part of the collaborative RD & E in pest management that so inspires those involved with CISS.

A/Prof. Richard Price

Dr Price has an immense amount of experience in the RD&E sector, with a particular focus on environmental and agricultural research. 

Closely aligned to the core objectives of CISS, Dr Price has managed several national agricultural and environmental R&D programs, including Grain & Graze, the National Dryland Salinity Program, National Soil Acidification Program, Integration in Catchment Management Program, Climate Variability in Agriculture Program and a host of government and community based biodiversity initiatives.

Most recently as Research Director & Deputy Director of the Australia-Indonesia Centre, he established a portfolio of energy, health, infrastructure, water and agriculture projects, overseeing over 400 researchers and HDR students across Australia and Indonesia.

Dr Price is an Honorary Associate Professor at the Fenner School of Environment & Society (Australian National University) and a winner of an Australia Museum National Banksia Award for biodiversity research.

Dr Price was made a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology in 2013 and has sat on Boards of Cooperative Research Centres, NGOs and Committees of the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering & Innovation Council.

Dr Ian McDonald

Dr Ian McDonald is a science communication professional who has a strong background in research, education and community engagement.

In his role as Communications Manager he leads the implementation of the centre’s communications strategy to promote a diverse array of research projects. He has also coordinated the roll-out of major national pest animal campaigns and programs.

Ian has previously worked for national organisations such as the CSIRO, ANU, Alzheimer’s Australia and the Invasive Animals CRC.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Applied Science with Honours in Wildlife Management, UQ
• PhD in Animal Reproduction and Animal Immunology, UQ
• Master of Science Communication, ANU

Julie McGuiness

Julie McGuiness is the CISS Office Manager and Executive Assistant to the CEO. She has a background in administrative, organisational and research support roles in environmental conservation, medical research and biosecurity RD&E management organisations.

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Science, UC
Graduate Diploma in Biochemistry, ANU
Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management, CSU
Graduate Certificate in Ornithology, CSU
Certificate in Governance Practice, Governance Institute of Australia

Sigrid Tjis

Sigrid Tijs has a background in NRM and education and has experience in R&D project management.

As the Centre’s Projects and Contracts Coordinator, she looks after the research contracts and works with the Portfolio Director to develop and implement the Weeds Innovation Investment Plan and the Engagement Strategy.

Sigrid has previously worked at GRDC and ActewAGL and lived in country NSW for 20 years where she worked for Murrumbidgee Irrigation.

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science (Land and Water Management)
Bachelor of Vocational Education & Training

Yvette Cazabon

Yvette Cazabon is Graphic/Web Designer, who is highly proficient in the use of the Adobe Creative Suite and Social Media and has a strong background in visual art.

Yvette’s role as Digital Communications Officer gives support to the Communications team and utilises her Graphic, Web and digital skills.

Yvette has previously worked at Department of the House of Representatives, Department of the Environment, Remote Area Health Corp and has had various freelance roles.

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Graphic Design, UC

Jane Leslie

Jane Leslie is the Administration Assistant for CISS, providing office support to the finance and executive team.

She has an extensive administrative background, working in a variety of private sector roles.

Dr John Virtue (Incursions)

General Manager - Strategy, Policy & Invasive Species

John has worked in the South Australian government since 1995, originally as Senior Weed Ecologist and now as manager of Strategy & Policy and NRM Biosecurity units in PIRSA Biosecurity SA.

He holds a PhD and Bachelor degrees in Agricultural Science from University of Sydney.

Dr Brad Page (Incursions)

Principal Biosecurity Officer, Pest Animals

Brad’s current role with the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA involves leading a team of policy and research staff who work with state and federal government agencies, Natural Resource Management boards and industry groups to provide technical and policy advice on the economic and environmental impacts and management of pest animals, including wild dogs, rabbits and deer.

Prior to this, Brad worked for the SA Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources for 5 years, implementing its strategic science agenda and providing technical leadership for South Australia’s marine parks monitoring program and other state-wide programs. Brad initially undertook research in the field of marine biology for 15 years, specialising in the ecological effects of commercial fisheries and their interactions with protected species.

During this phase, Brad completed his PhD at LaTrobe University and worked with SA Research and Development Institute – Aquatic Sciences for 10 years.

Dr Tony Pople (Landscape Management)

Manager, Invasive Plants and Animals Research

Tony is an ecologist with a strong interest in the effects of predation on the dynamics of wildlife populations.  Predation may be commercial and recreational harvesting, culling or baiting programs, or exotic predators killing endangered prey species.

Other interests include aerial survey, deer management and mouse population dynamics.

Tony is Innovation Leader for the Integrated Landscapes Program. He was Leader of the Land Pests Program of the Invasive Animals CRC and manages Invasive Plants and Animals Research in Biosecurity Queensland.

Tony has a PhD in population ecology from the University of Queensland.

Dr Tanja Strive (Biocontrol)

Principal Research Scientist

A molecular virologist by training, Tanja’s research over the past 15 years has focused on mitigating the impacts of invasive vertebrate pest species in Australia, using both lethal and non-lethal, GM and non-GM methods, targeting a series of species from Red foxes to mice, cane toads and in particular rabbits. Her earlier work with CSIRO investigated the development of virally vectored immunocontraception vaccines for foxes and mice, for which she was awarded the Pest Animal Control CRC Chairman’s medal for scientific excellence in 2004 and 2008.

During the past ten years Tanja has driven a combination of applied and basic fundamental research projects focussing on improving our understanding of the diseases used for classical biological control of rabbits. She has built an international track record in the area of rabbit calicivirus biology, ecology, epidemiology, evolution and virulence, which is evidenced in a series of high quality publications and invitations to present at national and international conferences.

Tanja has a PhD in molecular virology from Philipps Universitaet Marburg, Germany

Dr David Peacock

Biosecurity Research Officer

An ecologist and author of a number of published journal articles, reports and book chapters, David holds the position of Research Officer with the Natural Resources Management Biosecurity Unit of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA). David primarily undertakes research on rabbits focussing on improving their control by the RHDV and myxomatosis biocontrols through an ongoing 21 year project at Turretfield in SA. He has also surveyed invading cane toads in SW Qld, mapped rabbit warrens for destruction, undertaken landscape fox control, planned and assisted in the reintroduction of the western quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii) to SA, surveyed landholders about feral deer and helped address numerous other pest animal issues.

David has fulfilled a diverse range of roles throughout his career including Technical Officer, National Park Ranger and Research Fellow. He completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Wildlife and Park Management), followed by a Diploma in Natural Resources in 1990, and a PhD in 2003 focusing on “The search for a novel toxicant in Gastrolobium (Fabaceae: Mirbelieau) seed historically associated with toxic native fauna”.  An outcome from this PhD research is a current collaborative project to develop a toxic ‘population protecting implant’ to remove predating feral cats and stop them wiping out reintroduced or vulnerable native fauna populations.

Greg Mifsud

National Wild Dog Management Coordinator

Dr Paul Meek

Project Leader Wild Dog Alert & E-Hub Intelli traps

Paul completed his under-graduate Degree at Roseworthy in SA, a Master’s Degree on the biology and ecology of foxes, free-roaming dogs and cats in Jervis Bay at University Canberra and completed his PhD at the University of New England on camera trapping. He was awarded the Chancellors Post-Doctoral Research Award for his PhD research. Paul has been working in the ecology field for over 30 years in positions throughout Australia and has been fortunate to work overseas, including 3 years on Christmas Island. He is currently working for NSW Dept Primary Industries in the Invasive Plant and Animal Unit; he is a research collaborator of the Vertebrate Pest Research Unit and CISS, and an Adjunct Lecturer with the University of New England. Primary work roles are developing policy framework for pest management that integrate new research findings into control and monitoring. He also contributes to research that benefits pest management and impact monitoring, conducting training and working with all pest agencies throughout Australia to develop best practice. Paul is Project Leader for the Wild Dog Alert and e-Hub Intelli Trap Projects.

Areas of expertise include, camera trapping, predator trapping, small mammal trapping, radio tracking, fox, wild dog and feral cat ecology, Hastings River Mouse and Christmas Island shrew ecology.

Paul was awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 2011 investigating the use of camera traps in wildlife research and monitoring.

Dr Tarnya Cox

Professional Officer

Tarnya has participated in research projects on a variety of species including flying foxes and rodents in northern Queensland, mice in South Australia, grey squirrels in the UK and rodents in Cambodia. Tarnya’s previous research has included identifying prey species of owl through bone fragments, the role of flying foxes in the transmission of Leptospirosis, and the use of predator scents to deter vertebrate pests from palatable feed.  Current research includes assessing the impact of biological control tools on rabbits and the use of emerging technologies to improve pest animal detection.

Tarnya has a PhD in Wildlife Ecology and Vertebrate Pest Management from the University of QLD.

Dr Tony Buckmaster

Leader-Education

Dr Tony Buckmaster comes from an agricultural background having grown up and worked on the family farm but also has extensive experience in wildlife ecology and strategic pest management as well as 12 years of teaching and research experience.

He manages and is actively involved in several on-going research projects. Tony also convenes a Masters level unit in Vertebrate Pest Management for the University of Sydney.

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science – University of Canberra
Honours in Applied Science – University of Canberra
PhD in Ecology – University of Sydney