Dr N K (Keith) Boardman's distinguished record as a research administrator in CSIRO is marked by outstanding contributions to the development of research on biotechnology and other areas of applied science.

During the 1970s he recognized the revolutionary; implications of overseas discoveries in molecular biology and moved promptly to create in CSIRO a world-standard capability in biotechnology as a basis for future high-technology biological industries in Australia.

In September 1985, Dr Boardman succeeded Dr J P Wild as Chairman of CSIRO.