Australian Museum Lizard Island Research Station Welcomes
New Co-Directors Dr Emily Howells and Dr David Abrego
Outgoing Co-Directors Dr Anne Hoggett AM and Dr Lyle Vail AM Retire After 35 Years of Service
Sydney, 23 March 2025: It has been called one of the best jobs in the world, living on a remote island and working to save the Great Barrier Reef. Marine scientists Dr Emily Howells and Dr David Abrego have embarked on this "dream job" operating and managing the Australian Museum's (AM) Lizard Island Research Station (LIRS) on Jiigurru (Lizard Island). Part of the Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI), LIRS has been operating for more than 50 years and has made a hugely significant contribution to coral reef science, which will continue to develop under Dr Howells' and Dr Abrego's leadership.
As Co-Directors of LIRS, Dr Howells and Dr Abrego will be involved in everything from implementing innovative science programs and overseeing research by visiting marine scientists from Australia and around the world, to maintaining infrastructure including boats and research labs, and working with local tourism operators.
Professor Kris Helgen, AM Chief Scientist and Director of AMRI, said the AM looks forward to the role Dr Howells and Dr Abrego will play as Co-Directors in building on the AM's reputation of scientific excellence and actively promoting LIRS as a leading voice for reef science and conservation.
"LIRS is one of the world's leading tropical marine field research stations, visited annually by hundreds of international marine scientists from around the world. Dr Howells' and Dr Abrego's unique experience as coral reef researchers and educators in Australia and overseas makes them well suited to continue the development of LIRS that's been led by outgoing Co-Directors Dr Anne Hoggett and Dr Lyle Vail," Helgen said.
Australian Museum Director and CEO Kim McKay AO thanked outgoing Co-Directors Dr Anne Hoggett AM and Dr Lyle Vail AM, who have been joint Directors at LIRS since 1990. Dr Hoggett and Dr Vail were awarded the AMRI Lifetime Achievement Award in October 2023 for their significant life-long contribution to coral reef science and their committed management of LIRS. Dr Hoggett and Dr Lyle Vail will commence new honorary roles as Fellows of the Australian Museum.
"On behalf of the entire Australian Museum team, I'd like to sincerely thank Anne and Lyle for their three decades of stewardship as Co-Directors of the AM's Lizard Island Research Station. Their work leading LIRS has influenced thousands of marine scientists and helped the world understand the impacts of climate change on the Great Barrier Reef," McKay said.
"We look forward to Dr Howells and Dr Abrego building on this legacy as the new Co-Directors," McKay added.
Prior to their appointment as Co-Directors of LIRS, Dr Howells was a Senior Research Fellow, and Dr Abrego was a Senior Lecturer, both at the National Marine Science Centre at Southern Cross University. Together, they have a combined 27 years of experience as coral reef scientists spanning research, tertiary education, academic administration, science outreach, and service roles across the Pacific and Middle East.
As Co-Directors of LIRS, they will retain appointments at Southern Cross University to continue to oversee ongoing research and education projects.
Both Dr Howells and Dr Abrego have previously conducted scientific research projects at LIRS. A focus of their recent work has been related to understanding how corals vary in their heat tolerance and what that means for adaptation to climate change.
"This is an opportunity to live and work in paradise and facilitate science which we are passionate about. The AM's Lizard Island Research Station is our favourite place on the Great Barrier Reef and we knew this job would not come up again - it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and we had to apply," said Dr Howells.
"It's a dream job for us to be able to come to Lizard Island Research Station as Co-Directors, working together to support and amplify the incredible research, education and scientific communication work that happens here. Our goal is to continue the station's incredible reputation built by Anne and Lyle, and we hope to leave the Great Barrier Reef better for the next generation," said Dr Abrego.
Since its founding in 1973 by the late Professor Frank Talbot (former Australian Museum Director), LIRS has welcomed more than 15,000 international marine science students from all over the world. Around 100 research projects are conducted annually by approximately 400 scientists and support personnel, and since 1973 there have been 2,700 scientific publications from work conducted at LIRS. This valuable information is used by reef managers to conserve coral reefs, which are an increasingly vulnerable resource due to stressors like human-induced climate change. Film crews also regularly use Lizard Island as a base for reef and climate documentaries.
In 1978, when the LIRS was in its infancy, the Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation was established to support research and education. The foundation was established by Dr Des Griffin, who succeeded Dr Talbot as Director of the Australian Museum from 1976-1998. The inaugural Chair was Sir John Proud. Since its inception, the LIRRF has raised more than $17 million to support science on the Reef. Today, Ms Kate Hayward chairs the LIRRF.
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