Dr Megan Clark, one of the world's most powerful mining executives, made history yesterday as the first woman to head Australia's peak science agency, the CSIRO.
Regarded by her peers as a shrewdly creative problem-solver, the BHP Billiton vice-president has a track record of achieving career-firsts as a geologist and venture capital director, in a tough, male-dominated profession.
Appointed for a five-year term as CSIRO's chief executive, she will take up the position in January, following the departure of Dr Geoff Garrett, who completes his eight-year term at the end of this year.
Asked about her vision for the cash-strapped national science organisation forced to shed at least 100 jobs following a $63million budget cut this year by the Rudd Government Dr Clark said she intended to ''further build CSIRO into one of the most respected institutions in the world''.
She also hinted that climate change, the environment and agriculture would be high on her list of research priorities.
''Climate change is a real issue, and as with all aspects of sustainable development across the globe, we need to reduce our emissions. Not just from a climate change point of view but in terms of not harming the environment at all.''
Announcing the appointment, CSIRO board chairman Dr John Stocker said Dr Clark emerged as a front-runner during a rigorous seven-month international recruitment search.
''This is one of the most important science jobs in the world. It's certainly one of the most important jobs in Australia, and we had a massive responsibility to deliver to the nation a person of talent, of commitment, of capability,'' he said.
Dr Clark's resume includes discovering a gold mine in Western Australia's outback, successfully fighting the WA Government for the right for women to work underground in mines, and driving technology breakthroughs at three mineral and petroleum research centres.
She also reversed the traditional ''fly-in, fly-out'' mining culture, with her husband a Canadian orchestral percussionist flying into the Mt Magnet mine in WA to join her at weekends.
Dr Clark's international career began when she was head-hunted as a University of Western Australia geology student by Western Mining's minerals exploration pioneer and chief geologist Roy Woodall. She later ran the company's venture capital operations in the United States, advising on commercial investments in new mining technologies.
She became BHP Billiton vice-president of technology in 2003 and is the company's vice-president of health, safety, environment, community and sustainability.
''I have to let you know right now that I'm absolutely passionate about excellence in science,'' she told a group of CSIRO scientists who attended yesterday's media conference at Black Mountain.
''CSIRO has, from my experience, some of the most passionate and dedicated people in science I have ever met. Creating an environment for our people to excel, where nothing comes before their safety and wellbeing, is one of my priorities.''
The CSIRO Staff Association has welcomed Dr Clark's appointment, but warned her challenges will include developing ''a better relationship with government on long-term support for a diverse CSIRO research effort'', improving long-term career and job stability and bringing ''much greater respect for the knowledge and experience of staff'' to her executive team.
The association's president Dr Michael Borgas said, ''We recognise that Dr Clark will bring a fresh perspective on CSIRO's interactions with the many diverse industries that CSIRO supports. We recognise her background in minerals and mining that will be an advantage for CSIRO.
''The Staff Association will also be looking for a greater priority from Dr Clark in other areas of CSIRO's work, particularly for food and agricultural research.''
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