Australian Museum announces new Chief Scientist (Acting) and AMRI Director (Acting)

Professor Shane Ahyong and Julie Ellmers to lead Australian Museum Research Institute

The Australian Museum (AM) has announced the appointment of two of its most senior scientists and science administrators to head up the Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI): Professor Shane Ahyong, as acting Chief Scientist; and Julie Ellmers, as acting Director AMRI.

Kim McKay, AO, Australian Museum Director and CEO, welcomed the appointments saying it was an exciting opportunity for the AM and AMRI.

“The appointment of Shane Ahyong and Julie Ellmers into these significant roles reflects the depth and breadth of the scientific capability within AMRI. We congratulate them both and look forward to the significant scientific achievements AMRI will continue to make under their leadership.”

“Having described more than 300 new species and publishing widely on marine and freshwater invertebrates, Professor Shane Ahyong is a world authority on crustaceans; while Julie Ellmers has led AMRI’s Life and Geosciences Branch, alongside its world-renowned natural science collections for the past three years.

Professor Ahyong has been with the Australian Museum since 2010 and is included in the Stanford University list of the top 2 percent of most influential scientists worldwide. Before commencing as AMRI Associate Director three years ago, Julie Ellmers was Chief Operating Officer for the ARC Centre of Excellence in Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, a seven-year, 34-million-dollar program of research headquartered at Wollongong University.

Both Professor Shane Ahyong and Julie Ellmers will join the Australian Museum Executive Leadership Team. They assume their roles following the recent resignation of Prof Kris Helgen, who is moving to the Bishop Museum, Hawaii as President and CEO.