Dr Ben Hoffmann

Principal Research Scientist

PRIVATE BAG NO 44
WINNELLIE NT 0821 AUSTRALIA

https://people.csiro.au/H/B/Ben-Hoffmann

Biography

Dr Ben Hoffmann is a Principle Research Scientist with CSIRO Health & Biosecurity in Darwin, Northern Territory. His main research interests are invasion ecology, managing invasive species, and general community ecology especially for sustainable land management (bioindication), and he has a particular research focus on ants. He collaborates with many local and regional organisations to effectively manage invasive ant incursions, especially on Indigenous lands. His current work includes overseeing eradication efforts on Norfolk Island, NE Arnhem Land and numerous locations throughout eastern Australia. Dr Hoffmann has published over 70 scientific papers, 3 book chapters, and written more than 40 reports. His work has been cited more than 2300 times. Dr Hoffmann is an invited member of the IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group, represents CSIRO on the National Biosecurity Management Consultative Committee, and is on the scientific advisory committees for multiple invasive ant eradication programs. He is the Australian contact for the Australian-USA Joint Committee Meetings initiatives, and a member of the Pacific Invasives Partnership helping to drive biosecurity initiatives throughout the Pacific. In 2010, his collaboration with Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation and Rio Tinto against yellow crazy ant won the Gold Banksia Environmental Award, and the inaugural NAIDOC Caring for Country Award, and in 2011 also won a UN Association of Australia World Environment Day Award. His current work involves using the latest drone technology to conduct biosecurity operations, as well as developing species-specific genetic solutions (RNAi) for use against invasive species.

Professional Areas

Fields of Research

Current

Current Roles

Project Leader
Coordination of multiple ant eradication programs
Project Leader
Rehabilitation assessment at multiple mines throughout northern Australia
Scientist
Multiple NRM consultancies
Representative
Represent CSIRO on numerous Australian biosecurity committees and international initiatives (JCM, PIP, ISSG)
Team Leader
leading the H&B research team in Darwin

Academic Qualifications

1996

BSc (Hons)
Northern Territory University
2000

PhD
Northern Territory University

Achievements and Awards

2016

Outstanding Collaboration Award
CSIRO
2015

Biodiversity Award
United Nations Association of Australia
2013

Outstanding Team Award
CSIRO
2009

John Phillip Award for the Promotion of Excellence in Young Scientists
CSIRO
2002

Fresh Science Award
National Science Forum
2001

Australian Academy of Science Award
Australian Academy of Science

Community and Corporate Citizenship

2007-ongoing

Christmas Island Scientific Advisory Panel
2016-ongoing

Branch Excecutive Member, Scouts NT
2007-2011

Scientific Advisory Panel to Brisbane fire ant eradication program
2010-ongoing

invited member, IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group
2010-2012

Judging Panel, CRC Early Career Scientists Awards
2011-ongoing

National Facilitator, Scouts Australia
2011-2018

Associate Editor, Biodiversity and Conservation
2012-ongoing

Associate Editor, Ecological Management and Restoration
2013-ongoing

Associate Editor, Austral Ecology
2013 -ongoing

Associate Editor, Bulletin of Entomological Research
2013-ongoing

Associate Editor, Journal of Insects
2014-2018

member, Tramp Ant Consultative Committee
2014-ongoing

member, National Biosecurity Management Consultative Committee
2016-ongoing

Dhimurru Advisory Board
2017-ongoing

Associate Editor, Bioinvasion Records
2018-ongoing

member, Scientific Advisory Group to the RIFA program

Staff profile