Rob Thomas is a prominent senior South Australian environmental scientist. He is currently on contract as Chief Scientific Advisor for the Resources Infrastructure and Investment Task Force of Department of Energy and Mining. Thomas previously held positions of Chief of Aquatic Sciences and Sustainable Systems at the South Australian Research & Development Institute (SARDI), Chief Executive of the Department for Water Resources and Executive Director of the Environment Protection Authority. He became an Associate Professor with the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Adelaide in December 2008. Until 2016, Thomas was also a non-executive director of Blue Sky Water Partners. His professional experience has included roles as an environmental consultant, environmental regulator, natural resources manager and research manager.

Resources Infrastructure & Investment Task Force (RIITF)

Thomas was appointed Chief Scientific Advisor for the Olympic Dam Task Force now RIITF in April 2011. This role has seen him advise the

Government of South Australia The Government of South Australia, also referred to as the South Australian Government, SA Government or more formally, His Majesty’s Government, is the Australian state democratic administrative authority of South Australia. It is modelled o ...

on environmental strategy for complex mining and mineral processing projects including the proposed Olympic Dam mine expansion, the Nyrstar Port Pirie Smelter Transformation, the Whyalla Steelworks, and the Dry Creek Salt Field transformation project.

Biofuels

Rob Thomas has been an active promoter of research and development in

biofuel Biofuel is a fuel that is produced over a short time span from biomass, rather than by the very slow natural processes involved in the formation of fossil fuels, such as oil. According to the United States Energy Information Administration (E ...

s, namely biodiesel and bioethanol.

Education

Thomas holds a master's degree from Brunel University in London and two bachelor's degrees from the University of Adelaide.

Early career

Thomas was the Manager of Marine and Environmental Studies at Kinhill Engineers for ten years prior to his entry into the public service.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Rob Year of birth missing (living people) Living people Environmental scientists 21st-century Australian scientists Academic staff of the University of Adelaide Alumni of Brunel University London University of Adelaide alumni Public servants of South Australia