CSIRO names new Data61, manufacturing leaders

Professor Jon Whittle will take up the role of Director Data61, CSIRO’s data science arm, from July. Professor Whittle is a world-renowned expert in software engineering and human-computer interaction. He is currently Executive Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology at Monash University and Founding Co-Director of the university-wide Monash Data Futures Institute, which is leading applied AI research in health sciences, sustainable development, and policy and governance.

Dr Marcus Zipper has also been appointed as CSIRO’s Director of Manufacturing. Dr Zipper has held a number of senior leadership roles at CSIRO over a 15-year-period, including Director of the Challenges and Digital Transformation program, and Director of CSIRO Services.
In addition to his CSIRO career, Dr Zipper has extensive experience with a range of industries and sectors, where he has led teams responsible for business development, commercialisation and strategy development and implementation.
Dr Zipper will commence in the role mid-year when long-standing director Dr Keith McLean steps down from his role, before retiring from CSIRO after a distinguished 31-year career.