Karl Kruszelnicki

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Karl Kruszelnicki holding a copy of his book Sensational Moments in Science at a university open day
Karl Kruszelnicki holding a copy of his book Sensational Moments in Science at a university open day

Karl Sven Woytek Sas Konkovitch Matthew Kruszelnicki, AM (born 1948 in Helsingborg, Sweden) is a scientist, who is best known as an author and science commentator on Australian radio and television. He is usually referred to simply as Dr Karl [1] or as Karl Kruszelnicki.

Kruszelnicki's academic work spans several branches of science. He holds degrees in Mathematics, Biomedical Engineering, Medicine and Surgery, and he has also studied some Astrophysics, Computer Science and Philosophy.

He has worked as a physicist, labourer, roadie for bands, car mechanic, film-maker, hospital scientific officer, biomedical engineer, TV weatherman, taxi driver, and medical doctor.

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[edit] Education

Kruszelnicki studied high school at Edmund Rice College, in Wollongong. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Wollongong, and a Master of Biomedical Engineering from the University of New South Wales. He also did non-degree studies in Astrophysics and Computing Science. 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.

[edit] Journalism, TV and radio

Kruszelnicki 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 listeners 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 had cameo appearances in a number of television series including Pizza (screened on SBS) and Neighbours. In the Neighbours episode, he was confused with the Dr. Karl character of that series. In early 2008, he co-hosted a TV series of Sleek Geeks with Adam Spencer.

Kruszelnicki is the spokesman for the RTA Microsleep awareness campaign, and presents segments on The Weather Channel.

[edit] Ig Nobel Prize

One of Kruszelnicki's most famous undertakings was his part in a research project on belly button fluff, for which he received an Ig Nobel Prize.

[edit] Politics

Kruszelnicki was a candidate for the Australian Senate in the 2007 Australian federal election, placed number two on the Climate Change Coalition ticket in New South Wales.[2]

[edit] Personal

Kruszelnicki is known for his choice of 'loud' shirts, which are made by his wife, Dr. Mary.[3]

[edit] Recognition and awards

[edit] Writing

As of December 2007, Kruszelnicki has written 26 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.

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

[edit] References

  1. ^ ENOUGH ROPE with Andrew Denton - episode 54: Dr Karl Kruszelnicki (09/08/2004)
  2. ^ Dr Karl to Run for the Senate on Climate Change
  3. ^ http://www.aol.com.au/site/website/aolproducts/aol_live/transcripts/drkarl.php

[edit] External links

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