Dr Dianne McGrath

Dianne McGrath is many things.

She was one of seven Australian shortlisted Mars One astronaut candidates in the Mars 100. She is also one of Australia's most highly regarded experts on sustainability. Dianne is a Masters program lecturer, PhD researcher, biohacker, blogger, self-experimenter and director. She has a special interest in sustainable food systems, something that will be critical in a completely new environment for human habitation.

She holds four university degrees and a PhD in Environmental Engineering at RMIT University where she conducted a first-of-its-kind food waste research project, Watch My Waste. She is also the Director of the sustainability and business consultancy, Food for Thought Consulting Australia, and Chaired the Australian Government's Retail and Foodservice Advisory Board in the development of the National Food Waste Strategy.

Dianne's work experience has provided her with strong expertise in project management, marketing and government organisations in her time with the Australian Energy Regulator, Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). While at GSK she won a global marketing award, and held numerous positions, including a global marketing position based in Europe where she was responsible for a $1billion (AUD) brand portfolio.

Dianne is a leader, team player, project manager and creative problem solver. Her experience working in and managing teams in sales, marketing, emergency services and government provides her with a strong platform to work as a unit to deliver on outcomes.

Her sense of adventure, curiosity, determination and fitness has seen her sail tall ships in the Southern Ocean, cycle extreme distances, jump from planes, run marathons and an ultra-marathon, and design and implement numerous self-experimentation projects.

Whether it is being part of the one-way journey of the Mars One mission, or following her passion on sustainable food systems, Dianne is nothing short of amazing.