ACIAR Commissioner Dr Meryl Williams recognised for outstanding contribution

Chair of the Commission for International Agricultural Research, Dr Meryl Williams, has received an Outstanding Alumni Award at a special ceremony as part of James Cook University's 40th Anniversary celebrations.

Dr Williams, a world leader in fisheries research and research for development, received her Bachelor of Science with Honours Class 1 from James Cook University in 1975 and was awarded the Dr R. Palmerston-Rundle Prize for biological sciences.

Fisheries research leader

Beginning with the Queensland government in 1977, working on fisheries research and analysis, she went on to the South Pacific Commission in the mid-80s before joining the Australian Department of Primary Industries and Energy in 1986.

In 1990, Dr Williams became Executive Director of the Bureau of Rural Resources and three years later Director of the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS).

International impact

From 1994 to 2004, Meryl Williams was Director General of the WorldFish Centre, one of the Centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. From 2004 until 2007, she chaired the Board of Management and was President of ACIAR’s Policy Advisory Council.

As Chair of the Commission for International Agricultural Research, Dr Williams provides advice on agricultural research and development programs, and the funding of these programs to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.