Our Vision
CAST sets out to enhance research capabilities, promote knowledge exchange, and facilitate the sharing of resources and expertise between AAD, CSIRO and UTAS.
The Centre fulfils an important priority in the Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20-Year Action Plan, to advance Australia’s interests in Antarctica by building Tasmania’s and Hobart’s status as a global Antarctic and Southern Ocean hub.
CSIRO
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) plays a significant role in Antarctic and Southern Ocean technologies. CSIRO engages in the development of innovative technologies for Antarctic and Southern Ocean research. This includes the design and deployment of specialised instruments, sensors, and autonomous platforms that can withstand extreme conditions and collect data in challenging environments. Examples of such technologies include underwater gliders, moorings, robotic systems, and advanced sampling devices.
Nicole Webster
Professor Nicole Webster is Executive Director at the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, where she has responsibility for improving understanding of temperate marine, Southern Ocean and Antarctic environments, their resources, and their roles in the global climate system through research, education and outreach. Nicole is an experienced science leader across both Academia and Government. From 2021-24 Nicole was Chief Scientist of the Australian Antarctic Program where she worked to develop innovative and collaborative pathways needed to improve understanding, management and conservation of this wild and fragile ecosystem. For the previous two decades, Nicole worked as Principal Research Scientist at the Australian Institute of Marine Science and Professor at the Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, University of Queensland where she undertook research to uncover the contributions of microscopic life to marine ecosystem health.
Nicole is the current chair of the CAST Committee.
Phil Boxall
Phil Boxall is the General Manager of the Assets and Technology Branch at the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). Phil’s position is responsible for planning, maintaining and managing the large suite of Antarctic infrastructure and assets in Antarctic, the sub Antarctic and in Tasmania and providing platforms, capabilities and systems to successfully operationalise science within the Australian Antarctic Program (AAP). Phil is responsible for leading the Branch to facilitate and enhance the value and impact of AAP activities through providing strategic and expert advice in technology and innovation; developing and managing new capabilities and emerging technologies for operations, facilities and equipment; & leveraging Australian and international partnerships to enhance technical capabilities.
Phil was chair of the CAST Committee in 2024.
Toni Moate
Toni Moate is CSIRO’s Director, National Collections and Marine Infrastructure, which includes the Marine National Facility, Engineering & Technology, Atlas of Living Australia, and National Research Collections Australia. As the Director, National Collections and Marine Infrastructure, Toni is responsible for ensuring CSIRO’s national collections and marine infrastructure are effectively positioned, managed and utilised for long term financial sustainability and support science delivery in the national interest. In 2015 Toni was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service in Australian marine and atmospheric science, as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. This was followed in 2017 when Toni was awarded the Tasmanian Telstra Business Woman of the Year.
Toni was the chair of the CAST Committee in 2023.
Other CAST Committee Chairs
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Terry Bailey (UTAS), 2021-2022
Delphine Lannuzel
Delphine Lannuzel is a Professor at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). Delphine is known for her expertise in polar marine chemistry, biogeochemical cycles, and the impacts of climate change on polar environments.
Delphine leads CAST Program 1.
Leesa Borojevic
Leesa Borojevic is the Associate Director of Business Management within the Assets and Technology Branch at AAD. She has over 25 years’ experience in science and technology fields, including teaching and research, operational management of science facilities and business management. She values and promotes the intersection of people skills, knowledge sharing and technological capabilities to enhance collaboration and innovation.
Leesa leads CAST Program 2.
Brett Muir
Brett Muir is the Research Group Leader of the Instrumentation and Electronics Group within the Engineering and Technology Program at CSIRO. He has a keen interest in development of reliable and versatile electronic systems, and integration of commercial scientific instruments with consumer electronics and in-house engineering to form novel scientific research systems.
Brett leads CAST Program 3.
Johnathan Kool
Johnathan Kool is the Director of the Australian Antarctic Data Centre (AADC). Johnathan has continuously worked at the interface of science and information technology. He has a scientific background in marine biology and oceanography, as well as technical experience working with high-performance computing systems and large-scale data delivery.
Johnathan leads CAST Program 4.