Board of Directors

Sanmarié Schlebusch is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, an Associate Fellow of the College of Health Services Management, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

She is the Chief Medical and Genomics Microbiologist for Forensic and Scientific Services, Health Support Queensland. Previously she was the Director of Microbiology of Mater Pathology, Mater Misericordiae Ltd. Brisbane. Her clinical expertise includes Water Quality Management, Public Health, and Infection Prevention and Control. She is well published and recognised for her research and expertise in innovative technologies for diagnosis of infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. She is currently undertaking research on the effects of antibiotics on the gut microbiome using a metagenomic approach. She further contributes to translational medicine and research as senior lecturer with the University of Queensland.

Sanmarié is a Board Member and was previously the Treasurer for Women’s Health Queensland Inc. She has served in a number of management and governance roles within the health industry.

She is an experienced medical practitioner and pathologist and brings insights in contemporary diagnostics including microbial genomics. She joined the NATA Board in 2018.

David Turner holds a Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Engineering Science and Master of Business Administration (MBA).

David holds the position of Technical Director at the Safety in Mines Testing and Research Station (SIMTARS). He is responsible for the NATA accredited testing and inspection services associated with explosion protected equipment used in underground coal mines and in other gas or dust explosive environments.

Previously, David was the authorised representative and directly responsible for the operation of all Energex’s NATA accredited laboratories covering electrical, temperature and humidity calibrations and measurement and for Energex’s NATA inspection accreditation.

David’s association with NATA goes back over 20 years through the management of accredited laboratories covering five separate fields of accreditation and inspection services, including the roles of signatory and authorised representative. He was elected to the Council in 2001 as a Members’ Representative for Queensland and continued to represent the Queensland members on Council to June 2013.

Mark Burgess is an experienced senior leader, offering demonstrated abilities in government, private and not-for-profit sectors. He has a background in technology, including senior management appointments and board/advisory roles across multiple industry sectors.

Mark has twenty-five years in Australian industry (executive roles in major corporate, SME and venture capital start-ups), plus fifteen years leading CSIRO programs with a proven ability in governance, risk, finance, and strategy implementation across a range of settings.

He is an active supporter of Australian industry, with longstanding participation on boards, councils, advisory groups, technical and intergovernmental committees.

In addition to his NATA Board responsibilities, Mark is a Board Member of the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JASANZ) and a Member of the Funding Commitee for the National Trust, Victorian Heritage Restoration Fund.

Mark holds a PhD for research in regulatory development, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Tracey Hoitink is an experienced leader in pathology operations management with more than 20+ years’ working within pathology for both private and public providers. Tracey has a background in Microbiology where she worked as a scientist for many years before changing to administrative management operations within pathology. Tracey has specialist knowledge in pathology quality management, risk management and business continuity, and work health and safety management.

In her current role as an Operations Manager, she is known for seeing a future and building a path towards it, utilising resources wisely, being agile and decisive in decision making and building lasting change and a culture of accountability.

Tracey has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Science, a Diploma in Risk Management and Business Continuity and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration working towards a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Eric holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Med Lab Sc) and a Graduate Certificate in Management.

Eric has been in the pathology industry since 1999 working as a scientist, laboratory manager and senior executive. This has included the establishment of new facilities, consolidation of facilities and the introduction of advanced technologies.

Eric is a multi-disciplined scientist with a passion for operations, quality, technology and business development. He has been instrumental in the pursuit of workflow efficiencies and best practice approaches to laboratory operations.

Giacomo holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and is a recognised industry leader throughout Australia in air emission monitoring applications. His leadership has shaped and improved industry measurement and monitoring principles as well as training standards.

He is an active member on a number of Boards and committees and previously a member on the Australian Standards Development Group for Ambient Air Measurement (EV-007) and Stationary Source Sampling Method Development (EV-007-01). Giacomo is also a past member of the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) Air Emission Testing Committee.

He is a Certified Lead Laboratory Auditor, specialist NATA Assessor for chemical laboratory practices and air emissions applications and has contributed to the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation’s Industry Self-Monitoring Committee (CEMS) which introduced the WA CEMS Code.

Additional expertise and formal certifications include being a Chartered Chemist (C.Chem); USEPA air emission measurement method author in North Carolina (USA); and he holds membership with The Royal Australian Chemical Institute (MRACI).

Giacomo is a Member of the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists (MAIOH) and a Certified Air Quality Professional (CAQP). Giacomo is also a past President of the Clean Air Society of Australia & New Zealand (WA Branch).

Giacomo is also an active member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is completing a Post Graduate Law Degree at Notre Dame University.

John holds a PhD in Applied Chemistry, a Bachelor of Applied Science, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). He also received the Dean’s Award for Applied Science. John is a leading expert in analytical chemistry, forensic science, and environmental forensics, with over 30 years of experience. As Principal Researcher and Managing Director of Leeder Analytical, he provides specialised chemical services including method development, laboratory training, analysis of illicit substances, and expert witness services. John is also a certified ISO9000 Lead Auditor for quality systems and serves as a Board Member of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI).

John has held senior roles in consultancy and laboratory management, developing innovative analytical methods and contributing to International Standards Committees.