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In his role as PO for the DADI programme, Dr. Ó Tuama will work closely with the Taxonomic Databases Working Group (TDWG) in their development of standards and protocols for sharing primary biodiversity data. He will also support the integration of new electronic data resources into the GBIF network, and be responsible for the implementation of the DADI work programme.
A native of Ireland, Dr. Ó Tuama holds his PhD in Zoology from the University College Cork (UCC), and has a strong interest in web-based technologies and standards for environmental informatics and GIS. Stan Blum, the Chair of the GBIF Science Subcommittee for DADI, noted that he "brings a great combination of skills and experience, in both biology and information technology. His expertise in GIS will be a tremendous addition to the skills represented in the GBIF Secretariat."
Dr. Ó Tuama's several years experience in teaching and research in the marine sciences have included positions as Manager of the Computers in Teaching Initiative (CTI) Centre at the University of Liverpool, and as IT Consultant on several EU-funded projects at the Aquaculture Development Centre (UCC). Immediately prior to joining GBIF, he participated in several marine data integration projects at the Coastal & Marine Resources Centre, UCC.
Donald Hobern, GBIF's Deputy Director for Informatics and former PO for DADI, said "I'm pleased that Éamonn is bringing fresh skills and enthusiasm to DADI - these will enable us to begin to focus on some areas of biodiversity informatics we have previously neglected."
Éamonn has been actively involved in the application of information and communications technologies in the education and research sectors since the early 90's. He said of his new position, "GBIF is dedicated to providing free and open access to biodiversity data, and I am looking forward to helping to exploit all the great recent advances in internet technologies to achieve GBIF's mission."
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