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Dr Olly Berry

Research Director

https://people.csiro.au/b/o/oliver-berry

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Contact details:

BLDG 453 UWA, FAIRWAY
CRAWLEY WA 6009 AUSTRALIA

Biography

Dr Oliver Berry is a senior scientist and research manager at CSIRO, currently serving as Research Lead – Discovering and Monitoring Australia’s Biodiversity. From 2017 to 2025, he was the Director of CSIRO’s Environomics Future Science Platform (FSP), where he was instrumental in initiating, developing, leading, and promoting CSIRO’s research capability in environmental genomics and biodiversity science. Under Olly’s leadership, the FSP expanded significantly, forming partnerships across CSIRO and with multiple government and industry groups to build and deploy innovative genomic technologies that support environmental management.

Dr Berry is recognized for his strategic vision and drive to transform environmental monitoring and management within Australia. He has played a key role in establishing national and international guidelines for environmental DNA (eDNA) data, initiated the creation of Australia’s first dedicated national DNA sequence database for biodiversity, and was instrumental in founding the Southern eDNA Society. Olly’s scientific research has been cited over 5500 times. He initiated and led the creation of the advanced textbook "Applied Environmental Genomics" and won a 2025 Eureka Prize for his role in developing the widely adopted dartR software package. Dr Berry's work bridges innovative genomic science with practical application, influencing policy and management to address critical environmental challenges. He is also committed to capacity building, having mentored numerous early career researchers.

Professional Areas

Fields of Research

Current

Current Roles

  • Research Director
    Biodiversity Discovery & Monitoring Program of Research

Academic Qualifications

  • 2005

    PhD, Molecular Biosciences
    Massey University, New Zealand

  • 2017

    Graduate Certificate in Executive Management and Development
    Australian Graduate School of Management (UNSW)

  • 1996

    BSc Honours, Zoology
    The University of Western Australia

  • 1994

    Certificate of Art & Design
    TAFE (Claremont School of Art)

Other highlights

  • 2017-2025

    Director Environomics Future Science Platform

  • 2025-2025

    Winner, Eureka Awards (research software category)

  • 2024-2024

    Publication of the "Applied Environmental Genomics" textbook co-edited by Clare Holleley and Simon Jarman and contributed to by over 80 authors from around the world

Community and Corporate Citizenship

  • 2012-2018

    Scientists in Schools

Related links

Publications

We have publications by Dr Olly Berry

    Published data & software

    We have published items by Dr Olly Berry