Cathy Foley

Cathy Foley
AO PSM FAA FTSE
9th Chief Scientist of Australia
Incumbent
Assumed office
1 January 2021
Preceded byAlan Finkel
Personal details
Born
Catherine Patricia Foley

(1957-11-10) 10 November 1957 (age 66)
Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
ProfessionPhysicist, administrator
Alma materMacquarie University
Known forcomprehension of superconducting materials
Scientific career
FieldsPhysics
InstitutionsCSIRO

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]

  1. ^ McCulloch, Daniel (9 November 2020). "Cathy Foley appointed next chief scientist". Canberra Times. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  2. ^ Smith, Belinda (9 November 2020). "Physicist Cathy Foley appointed Australia's next chief scientist". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  3. ^ CSIRO. "CSIRO Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley to be next Australian Chief Scientist". www.csiro.au. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Cathy Foley". www.science.org.au. Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Queen's Birthday honours for five Academy Fellows | Australian Academy of Science". www.science.org.au. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  6. ^ "ABC article". Archived from the original on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
  7. ^ "Bio - Dr Cathy Foley | Questacon - the National Science and Technology Centre". Archived from the original on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 13 December 2014.