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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.

Current Roles

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 2014-2014

    Research Recognition Award
    CSIRO Oceans & Atmosphere

  • 2016-2016

    USP Research Award
    The University of the South Pacific

Other highlights

  • 2009-2010

    Acting Integrated Coastal Zone Management Team Leader (2009-2010)

Community and Corporate Citizenship

  • 2009-2011

    Deputy Fire Warden

  • 2008-2011

    Convener - CSIRO Catchment to Coast Community of Practice

  • 2022-Present

    Editorial Board of Marine Conservation and Sustainability (specialty section of Frontiers in Marine Science)