Dr. Cathy Offord is the Principal Research Scientist and Head of Australian PlantBank Research at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan. Growing up in far western NSW, she developed a lifelong passion for Australian flora and fauna, influenced by her mother, a science teacher. Cathy is a leading expert in plant germplasm conservation, with over 130 publications contributing to vital conservation efforts in Australia and internationally.
Cathy’s research began with propagating NSW’s Waratah and now spans key species like the Flannel Flower and the Wollemi Pine, a ‘living fossil’ she is dedicated to protecting. She leads the Rainforest Seed Conservation Project, advancing seed storage knowledge to support the conservation of Australia’s unique plant and animal life.
