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
- Ecological Impacts of Climate Change (050101)
- Ecosystem Function (050102)
- Invasive Species Ecology (050103)
- Landscape Ecology (050104)
- Ecological Applications not elsewhere classified (050199)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Environmental Knowledge (050201)
- Conservation and Biodiversity (050202)
- Environmental Impact Assessment (050204)
- Environmental Monitoring (050206)
- Natural Resource Management (050209)
- Environmental Science and Management not elsewhere classified (050299)
- Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified (059999)
Current Roles
-
Project Leader
Coordination of multiple ant eradication programs -
Project Leader
Rehabilitation assessment at multiple mines throughout northern Australia -
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
-
2007-2011
Scientific Advisory Panel to Brisbane fire ant eradication program
-
2010-ongoing
invited member, IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group
-
2011-ongoing
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
-
2013-2016
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