Contact details:
BRISBANE QLD 4001 AUSTRALIA
Biography
Dr. Crosswell’s core research examines connectivity of coastal systems with a focus on carbon and nutrient cycling between sediment, ocean and atmosphere. He is particularly interested in exploring diverse and remote coastal systems, ranging from mangroves to mesoscale eddies and from arid tropical estuaries in northern Australia to glacial fjords in southern Chile. Dr. Crosswell has served as Chief Scientist on 25 research voyages at CSIRO (2014-2024), leading cruises to >100 estuaries and coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem as well as voyages to other remote regions of Australia, Patagonia (Chile), Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Coastal Carbon
A key element of my research involves developing new tools and methods for coastal observations. These include instrument platforms for measuring carbon/carbonate chemistry and physical processes along the river-estuary-shelf continuum, which I have deployed over the past 15 years in waters along the mid-Atlantic coast of the USA, the east Australian coast, and in Chilean fjords. Since 2020, my carbon-cycle research has focused on establishing national Blue Carbon inventories with partners throughout the Indo-Pacific. I also have a growing interest in marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR) as carbon management technologies and associated markets and policies rapidly evolve.
Multi-disciplinary Research
I am motivated by challenges that require an interdisciplinary approach and technical innovation. I meet these challenges through eclectic project teams, which often integrate field-based research with environmental modelling, earth observations, computer science, engineering, energy, agriculture/aquaculture, and social aspects such as policy and sustainable livelihoods. Examples of my recent projects that have adapted digital innovations to address environmental challenges and established new insight to reshape coastal management include the following:
- Computer vision for coral-eating starfish detection
- Cloud AI tools for seagrass mapping and benthic classification
- Machine learning for simulating coastal sediment dynamics
- Application of new modelling tools to test paradigms and drive evolution in coastal management
Collaborative science from local to global scales
Management of coastal systems amid many drivers of change is at once a local, regional and global task. Thus, I actively promote collaborations that bridge these scales to build research partnerships and inform environmental policy. For example, I’ve developed ongoing collaborations for Sea Country management with Indigenous Ranger groups in Cape York and remote communities in Fiji. I’m a founding member of an international research network (C-SAW) focused climate-carbon feedbacks associated with extreme events (e.g., cyclones, fires, and floods). Most recently, I’ve published the book Climate Change and Estuaries with leading researchers from around the world. This work provides state-of-the-art coverage of climate change effects on estuarine ecosystems from local, regional, and global perspectives.
Achievements and Awards
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2024-
Best Science Handbook finalist (Climate Change and Estuaries)
Taylor and Francis: Book & Digital Product Awards -
2023-
Achievement Award - publication of "Climate Change and Estuaries" book
CSIRO -
2022-
CSIRO Collaboration Medal - Reef Intelligence
CSIRO -
2022-
Achievement Award - Google TensorFlow and Digital Future Initiatives
CSIRO -
2013-
Project of the Year - Defense Coastal/Estuarine Research Program Team
US Department of Defense Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program -
2013-
Graduate Research Impact Award
University of North Carolina -
2011-
Collaborative Research Award
Burroughs Wellcome Fund -
2009-
Innovators Fellow
Deshpande Foundation
Fields of Research
Current
Current Roles
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Research Scientist
Biogeochemistry, Oceanography -
Research Domain Co-lead
Coastal Monitoring & Mapping (CSIRO-Environment) -
Project Lead and Work-package Lead
Currently involved in a range of coastal projects (sediment dynamics, tidal inundation, mapping seagrass across the Indo-Pacific, Pacific Blue Carbon Program, eReefs)
Academic Qualifications
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2013
PhD, Environmental Science and Engineering
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill -
2007
BS, Neuroscience
University of Texas at Austin
Professional Experiences
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2016-Present
Adjunct Faculty
Virginia Institute of Marine Science -
2014-2017
Postdoctoral associate
University of Technology Sydney -
2013-2014
Postdoctoral Researcher
Virginia Institute of Marine Science -
2013-2014
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of North Carolina, Institute of Marine Science
Community and Corporate Citizenship
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2020-pres.
Co-lead, Coastal Monitoring & Mapping Research Domain (CSIRO-Environment)
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2021-pres.
Founding member, Carbon Saturation and Weather in the Coastal Zone: Research network
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2021-pres.
Community input panel, U.S. Ocean Observatories Initiative: Coastal Pioneer Array
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2023-2023
Round table panel (coral reefs), Far in the Deep Blue: Australian-French Association for Research and Innovation
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2022-2022
Community input panel, U.S. Ocean Climate Action Plan
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2017-2018
Contributing author, Second State of the Carbon Cycle Report (SOCCR-2): U.S. Carbon Cycle Science Program and the Carbon Cycle Interagency Working Group
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2008-2010
Vice-president, Daniel A. Okun Chapter of Engineers Without Borders
ORCID 0000-0001-5568-5391