Alan Finkel

Alan Simon Finkel, AO FTSE, is a neuroscientist, engineer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. In 2007 he was appointed Chancellor of Monash University, a position he commenced on 1 January 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 commercially successful device which substantially speeds up drug research.[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 (AM)[5] and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE). 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] In 2012 he co-founded Stile Education, an education technology company based in Melbourne, Australia, where he currently serves as Chief Executive Officer.[8] In 2013 he was appointed President of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE).[9] Since 2013, Finkel also serves as the Patron of the Australian Science Media Centre.[10]

He is married to Elizabeth Finkel, an Australian science journalist.[4]

Nuclear power advocacy

Since assuming his role as President of ATSE in 2013, Alan Finkel has advocated for the consideration of nuclear power in Australia in newspapers,[11][12] at speaking engagements[13] and in digital media broadcasts.[14]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 New Chancellor appointed by Monash University for 2008, 26 April 2007, Press release, Monash University
    New Chancellor installed, 13 March 2008, Press release, Monash University
  2. ↑ Alan Finkel, In Conversation, 9 June 2005, www.abc.net.au/rn
  3. ↑ Five minutes with our new Chancellor, Around Monash, Issue 19, Autumn/Winter 2007, Monash University
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ancora Imparo, June, 2008, Monash Memo, 4 June 2008, Monash University
  5. ↑ Member of the Order of Australia (AM), It's an Honour
  6. ↑ Honorary Members, Monash Golden Key Society
  7. ↑ http://australia.betterplace.com/our-company/our-team/
  8. ↑ http://www.stileeducation.com/contact
  9. ↑ ATSE Board 2013, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
  10. ↑ AusSMC
  11. ↑ Finkel, Alan (2013-10-28). "We need abundant, reliable power. Why not nuclear?". Herald Sun. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
  12. ↑ Finkel, Alan (2015-04-05). "Switch on the the electric planet". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
  13. ↑ Twomey, David (2013-07-26). "ATSE head: Aust ‘hiding head’ on nuke energy". Eco News. Retrieved 2015-04-05.
  14. ↑ Finkel, Alan (2014-03-14). "Alan Finkel: Electric Planet - Seeing the Possibilities of an Electron Economy Over an Oil Economy". Big Ideas. ABC. Retrieved 2015-04-05.