Karl Kruszelnicki

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Karl Kruszelnicki AM (1948 Helsingborg, Sweden) is a scientist, although best known as an author and science commentator on Australian radio and television. He is usually referred to as Dr Karl by his fans.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Mathematics from the University of New South Wales, where he also obtained Masters degrees in Astrophysics and Biomedical Engineering. In 1986 he received a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree from the University of Sydney, where he is currently the School of Physics' Julius Sumner Miller Fellow. A survey at that university found that one in seven science students had chosen their career specifically because of him.^{[citation needed]}

He was a writer and presenter for the first series of Quantum. He writes a weekly column for The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald newspapers on scientific "mythconceptions". His radio work includes a weekly science talkback show on Triple J which attracts up to 300,000 people and is available as a podcast. He often helps out with other science and education oriented Triple J promotions, such as the Sleek Geek Week roadshow with Adam Spencer and Caroline Pegram. In the UK, he appears on a live weekly late-night link-up on BBC Radio Five Live's Up All Night, usually with Rhod Sharp (Thursdays 3.00 am UK time), answering science questions. He has also cameoed in a number of television series including Pizza (screened on SBS) and Neighbours. In the Neighbours episode, he is confused with the Dr. Karl character of that series with "hilarious results".

His academic history includes work in several branches of science. He holds degrees in Mathematics, Biomedical Engineering, and Medicine and Surgery, but has also studied some Astrophysics, Computer Science and Philosophy. In the past he has worked as a physicist, labourer, roadie for bands, car mechanic, filmmaker, hospital scientific officer, biomedical engineer, TV weatherman, taxi driver, and medical doctor.

One of Dr Karl's most famous undertakings was his part in a research project on belly button fluff, for which he received an Ig Nobel Prize. As of December 2006 , Dr Karl has written twenty-five books, along with numerous lecture series (utilising material that often ends up in his books, or vice versa). Some of these lecture series and books have been televised for events such as Science Week, with Dr Karl supplying voice overs, and sometimes appearing in claymation. Dr Karl is the spokesman for the RTA Microsleep awareness campaign, and presents segments on The Weather Channel. Other recognition includes receiving the 2003 Australian Father Of The Year award.

Dr Karl is known for his choice of 'loud' shirts, which are reportedly made by his wife [1]

[edit] Books

• It Aint Necessarily So Bro, HarperCollins Publishers Pty Ltd, Australia, 2006, ISBN 0-7322-8061-3.

• Dis Information And Other Wikkid Myths: More Great Myths In Science, HarperCollins Publishers Pty Ltd, Australia, 2005, ISBN 0-7322-8060-5.

• Great Mythconceptions - Cellulite, Camel Humps and Chocolate Zits, HarperCollins Publishers Pty Ltd, Australia, 2004, ISBN 0-7322-8062-1.

• Bumbreath, Botox and Bubbles and other Fully Sick Science Moments, HarperCollins Publishers Pty Ltd, Australia, 2003, ISBN 0-7322-6715-3.

• Dr. Karl's Collection of Great Australian Facts & Firsts, HarperCollins Publishers Pty Ltd, Australia, 2002, ISBN 0-207-19860-8.

• Q&A With Dr. K - Why It Is So. Headless Chickens, Bathroom Queues and Belly Button Blues, HarperCollins Publishers Pty Ltd, Australia, 2001, ISBN 0-7322-5855-3.

• Fidgeting Fat, Exploding Meat & Gobbling Whirly Birds - New Moments 4, 1999.

• Munching Maggots, Noah's Flood and TV Heart Attacks and other cataclysmic science moments, HarperCollins Publishers Pty Ltd, Australia, 1998, ISBN 0-7322-5858-8.

Dr Karl's Collection of Great Australian Facts & Firsts

• 1.Ears, Gears and Gadgets, HarperCollins Publishers Pty Ltd, Australia, 1997, ISBN 0-207-19610-9.

• 2.Forests, Fleece & Prickly Pears, HarperCollins Publishers Pty Ltd, Australia, 1997, ISBN 0-207-19611-7

• 3.Flight, Food & Thingummygigs, HarperCollins Publishers Pty Ltd, Australia, 1997, ISBN 0-207-19612-5.

• Flying Lasers, Robofish and Cities of Slime - and other brain-bending science moments, HarperCollins Publishers Pty Ltd, Australia, 1997, ISBN 0-7322-5874-X

• Pigeon Poo the Universe & Car Paint - and other awesome science moments, HarperCollins Publishers Pty Ltd, Australia, 1996, ISBN 0-7322-5723-9

• Sensational Moments in Science, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Enterprises, Sydney, Australia, 1995, ISBN 0-7333-0456-7'

• Absolutely Fabulous Moments in Science, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Enterprises, Sydney, Australia, 1994, ISBN 0-7333-0407-9

• Bizarre Moments in Science, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Enterprises, Sydney, Australia, 1993, ISBN 0-7333-0210-6

• Spacescape, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, (Australia),1992, ISBN 0729511006

• Latest Great Moments in Science, Australian Broadcasting Corporation Enterprises, Sydney, Australia, ISBN 0-7333-0144-4

[edit] External links

• Dr Karl's bio page on the ABC Website
• Dr Karl's page with the University of Sydney Science Foundation
• Interview with Andrew Denton
• "Dr Karl's Dis-Information" - talk at The Dana Centre, London
• Awarded Order of Australia