Cathy Foley | |
---|---|
9th Chief Scientist of Australia | |
Assumed office 1 January 2021 | |
Preceded by | Alan Finkel |
Personal details | |
Born | Catherine Patricia Foley 10 November 1957 Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia |
Profession | Physicist, administrator |
Alma mater | Macquarie University |
Known for | comprehension of superconducting materials |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Physics |
Institutions | CSIRO |
Catherine Patricia Foley AO PSM FAA FTSE (born 10 October 1957) is an Australian physicist. She is the Chief Scientist of Australia (since January 2021),[1][2] before which she had been the chief scientist for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) since August 2018.[3]
Foley's research is in solid-state physics and its applications in superconductivity, combining material science, quantum physics, and research translation.[4] In addition to her research science, she has also contributed significantly to the advancement of women in physics, and to professional scientific organisations.[5]
Foley and her group at CSIRO have performed pioneering work on SQUID systems for geomagnetic exploration of minerals, which were transitioned to industry and resulted in the discovery of mineral ores worth many billions of dollars.[6] "Her team is responsible for the development and commercialisation of LANDTEM which has led to the discovery of over $6B of mines worldwide."[7]