Mark E. Baird is the Research Director of the Coastal and Oceanic Systems (COS) Research Program. He received his B.E. Hons degree from the University of Sydney in 1993, his M.Sc. degree from the University of Hawaii in 1996, and his Ph.D. at the University of Warwick, UK, in 2000. His background is as an aquatic scientist who uses observations and numerical models to study estuarine and marine ecosystems. He has developed parameterizations for ecological processes that have been coupled to community hydrodynamic models such as the CSIRO Environmental Modelling Suite (EMS) and the Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS). He has led the development of key components of the eReefs marine modelling system that is being used to estimate the water quality properties of the Great Barrier Reef, optimise the reduction of loads of sediments and nutrients for water quality improvements, make predictions of the physiological response of corals to marine heat waves, and optimise the design of ecological interventions. He is a panel member of the IOCCG (International Ocean Color Co-ordinating Group) working group on Ocean Colour Applications for Biogeochemical, Ecosystem, and Climate Modelling; a member of the Queensland Water Modelling Network Advisory board; the CSIRO Environment representative of the AquaWatch Mission Steering Committee; and a CSIRO representative of the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program Steering Committee.