Biography
Leo is a Senior Research Scientist at the Fisheries Assessment and Marine Ecology Team at CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere (O&A). His research focuses on the nexus between marine resources and people where he works government and non-governmental sectors, industry and First Nations peoples to co-design, explore and analyse research to support sustainable resource use and marine industries.
Leo has been working with researchers, managers and practitioners domestically including Commonwealth fisheries (since 2017), Torres Strait (since 2018) iconic Kakadu National Park (2014) and the Great Barrier Reef (2014), and internationally, including recent work (2019-22) on blue carbon livelihoods in Fiji, and transformative food production systems in Kiribati and the Solomon Islands. Leo has published research on fisheries, climate change and impacts of governance in the state of marine resources and climate adaptation. His findings have advanced the science on climate change impacts and adaptation of socio-ecological systems.
Leo’s work is transdisciplinary in nature, requires a holistic perspective to problem-solving where he applies a mix of soft and hard skills to work with partners and lead projects to develop and deliver research solutions to support governments, communities and industries.
Professional Areas
Current Roles
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Governance mapping and analyses
Ecosystem-based fisheries management indicators and guidelines (Lenfest) (2017-Present) -
Principal Investigator
Climate variability and change relevant to key fisheries resources in the Torres Strait (2019-Present) -
Member of science committee / Pacific Engagement
Climate Change and Agriculture in the Asia Pacific Region – Knowledge, Risks, and Opportunities: A Scoping Study (2019-Present) -
Modeller
Adaptation of commonwealth fisheries management (2017-Present) -
Modeller
Developing MICE for Resilience and Restoration Applications (2019-Present) -
Scientific Diver / Survey analyses
Torres Strait Rock Lobster and bêche-de-mer surveys (2018-Present)
Academic Qualifications
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2008
PHD
Centre for Ecological Economics & Water Policy Research, University of New England, Armidale -
2003
MSC (Geology: Coastal and Sedimentary Geology)
Federal University of Bahia, Brazil -
2000
BSC (Biological Sciences, Honours)
Federal University of Bahia, Brazil
Professional Experiences
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1997-2002
Research Assistant
Research Centre of Geophysics and Geology, Geosciences Institute - Federal University of Bahia, Brazil -
2003-2004
Research Fellow
Research Centre of Geophysics and Geology, Geosciences Institute - Federal University of Bahia, Brazil -
2004-2007
Research Assistant / PhD candidate
Centre for Ecological Economics and Water Policy Research, University of New England, Armidale, Australia -
2008-2011
Research Scientist
CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere -
2011-Present
Senior Research Scientist
CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere -
2015-2017
Senior Lecturer
School of Marine Studies, The University of the South Pacific -
2017-2019
Adjunct Senior Lecturer
School of Marine Studies, The University of the South Pacific -
2018-Present
Research Associate
Centre for Marine Socioecology, University of Tasmania -
2019-2021
Deputy Program Leader - Sustainable Offshore Developments
Blue Economy CRC
Achievements and Awards
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2014-2014
Research Recognition Award
CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere -
2016-2016
USP Research Award
The University of the South Pacific
Other highlights
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2009-2010
Acting Integrated Coastal Zone Management Team Leader (2009-2010)
Community and Corporate Citizenship
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2009-2011
Deputy Fire Warden
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2008-2011
Convener - CSIRO Catchment to Coast Community of Practice
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2022-Present
Editorial Board of Marine Conservation and Sustainability (specialty section of Frontiers in Marine Science)