Seven CSIRO scientists have been appointed as new Fellows, including plant scientist Greg Constable.

CSIRO Fellowships are a merit-based award given to scientists who have demonstrated eminence in their field.

The seven new fellows join the three current fellows - Chief Scientist Jim Peacock and Liz Dennis, both renowned plant scientists from CSIRO Plant Industry, and Ezio Rizzardo from CSIRO Molecular & Health Technologies.

The new CSIRO fellows are:

Dr Trevor Bird (CSIRO Information and Communication Technologies Centre); for his contributions to reflector antennas, multiple beam antennas and arrays

Dr Greg Constable (CSIRO Plant Industry); for his work in cotton research, including plant physiology, crop agronomy, farming systems and plant breeding

Dr Ron Ekers (Australian Telescope National Facility); for his impact in the field of extragalactic astronomy, galactic nuclei and the techniques of radio astronomy

Dr Dick Manchester (Australian Telescope National Facility); for his study of pulsars and supernova remnants

Dr Trevor McDougall (CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research); for his work in oceanography, particularly on fundamental issues in the field of ocean mixing

Dr Steve Rintoul (CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research); for his work in physical oceanography with a keen interest in the role of the ocean in the earth's climate system, particularly the Southern Ocean

Dr David Trimm (CSIRO Petroleum Resources); for his work in heterogeneous catalysis and its applications

The Fellows will be involved in a number of CSIRO initiatives planned to enhance the organisation's science and attract more young scientists.