Alexander Mawyer (University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, USA): Director of the Pacific Islands Studies Center at the University of Hawai‘i, Alexander Mawyer is an expert in Oceanic linguistics, biocultural indicators, and the conservation and governance of marine resources in the Pacific. He served as editor ofThe Contemporary Pacific: A Journal of Island Affairs (2016-2021) and sits on several scientific committees, including the Pacific Human Sciences House.
Antonietta Capotondi (NOAA, USA): A physical oceanographer and specialist in large-scale ocean circulation and its influence on climate variability. She utilizes observations, climate models, and linear inverse models (LIMs) to study the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon in the tropical Pacific. Her expertise encompasses the dynamics, diversity, decadal modulation, precursors, and impacts of ENSO. She served as co-chair of the CLIVAR Research Panel for the Pacific region (2019-2022) and is currently co-chair of the CLIVAR Marine Heatwaves Research Group.
Claire Spillman (Bureau of Meteorology, Australia): Principal researcher at the Bureau of Meteorology in Australia, where she leads the Seasonal and Marine Applications team. Her current research focuses on seasonal forecasting for marine applications, including marine heatwave prediction and management of coral reefs, aquaculture, and fisheries. With over 20 years of experience in ocean and climate modeling, Claire Spillman is recognized for her innovative work on marine heatwave forecasting products, used by marine industries for operational decision-making.
Mia Hoogenboom (James Cook University, Australia): Professor at the College of Marine and Environmental Science at James Cook University. Her work focuses on coral physiological ecology and biology. She uses mathematical models to translate environmental impacts on individual organisms into population dynamics and community productivity. With over 80 publications and an H-index of 39, she collaborates internationally with numerous scientific institutions.
Neil Holbrook (University of Tasmania, Australia): Professor of Ocean and Climate Dynamics at the University of Tasmania and an international leader in marine heatwave research. He has led and co-authored several pioneering studies on marine heatwaves, including in the South Pacific. He is also a principal investigator at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes, where he leads the Ocean Extremes Research Program. Neil Holbrook has twice been recognized among the most cited researchers by Clarivate (2021 and 2022) and appears on Reuters’ list of the top 1000 influential climate scientists.
Wayne O'Connor (Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, Australia): A biologist, physiologist, and ecologist specializing in marine invertebrate cultivation, particularly mollusks. He has extensive experience in hatchery propagation, bivalve selection and breeding, and ecotoxicology. His research focuses on the impacts of pollutants, microplastics, and climate change variables on the aquatic environment. As Director of the Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, Wayne has led the DPI aquaculture research unit since 2011.
