Alan Simon Finkel AM FTSE PhD is a neuroscientist, entrepreneur and philanthropist. In 2007, he was appointed as the new Chancellor of Monash University, a position he commenced on January 1, 2008.[1]
Finkel was educated at Monash University, receiving a doctorate in Electrical Engineering in 1981. He then served as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Australian National University, before leaving academia to found Axon Instruments, a global science and technology company based in the US.[2] During this time, he invented a device which substantially speeds up drug research, which was extremely successful commercially.[1][3]
Since then, he has used his wealth to found the science magazine Cosmos, an environment magazine called G: The Green Lifestyle Magazine and contribute towards a number of research institutes. During a speech at Monash University's 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner, he announced that he would be endowing a Chair in Global Health for the University.[4]
In 2006 Finkel was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.[5] In 2008 he was inducted as an honorary member of the Monash Golden Key Society to recognize his achievements.[6] In 2009 Finkel was appointed as the Chief Technology Officer of Better Place Australia.[7]