Alex Zelinsky

Alexander "Alex" Zelinsky AO^[1] (born 5 March 1960 in Wollongong, NSW) is Chief Defence Scientist of Australia, a Computer Scientist, a Systems Engineer and a Roboticist. His career spans innovation, science and technology, research and development, commercial start-ups and education. As Chief Defence Scientist he leads Defence Science and Technology for Australia's Department of Defence, having served in that position since March 2012.^[2][3][4]

Career

While studying at the University of Wollongong (UoW), Zelinsky started his career in 1978 as a cadet at BHP. In 1984 he joined UoW's academic staff where he taught computer science while completing a PhD in robotics. He worked as a Research Scientist at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan, developing computer vision and robotics technologies (1991–1994). He was appointed Professor of Systems Engineering at the Australian National University in 1996, holding that position until 2004.^[5] In 2000 as CEO, he co-founded, and was a non-executive director of,^[6] Seeing Machines Limited, a company listed on the London stock exchange (2000-2014).^[7] He has also been a Senior Executive at CSIRO (2004–2012), where he served as Director of the ICT Centre (2004–09), and Group Executive of Information Sciences (2007–12).^[5]

Qualifications and Awards

Zelinsky has a Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences (Honours), a Doctor of Philosophy, and in 2010 was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science,^[5][6] all from the University of Wollongong (UoW).^[8] He also served as a member of the University of Wollongong Council (2012-2015).^[9]

He is a Fellow of:

• the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (FIEEE);^[10]
• the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE);^[6]
• the Institute of Engineers Australia (Hon FIEAust);^[11] and
• the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD).^[6]

Some of his awards and appointments include:

• In 2003, 2004,^[12] and 2005, the World Economic Forum selected Dr Zelinsky as a Technology Pioneer in recognition of his commercialisation of technology with Seeing Machines.
• In May 2005 he was awarded the ATSE's Clunies-Ross Award "for successful innovation involving the application of science and technology for the benefit of Australia".^[6][13]
• Since 2008 he has been named as one of Australia's 100 most influential engineers.^[14]
• In 2011 he led the CSIRO team named as a Global Supplier of the Year by Boeing.^[15]
• In 2012 he has been named as an Innovation Hero by The Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering.^[16]
• In 2013 he was awarded the Trevor Pearcey Medal by the Pearcey Foundation for "distinguished lifetime achievement and contribution to the development and growth of the ICT professions, research and industry in Australia".^[17][18]
• In 2015 he was awarded the M A Sargent Medal by Engineers Australia for outstanding professional contributions to engineering^[19].
• In 2017 he was appointed as an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) in the 2017 Queen's birthday honours. Dr Zelinsky was recognised for his distinguished services to defence science and technology, systems engineeand education as an academic and researcher.

Lists of Publications

• Alexander Zelinsky at DBLP Bibliography Server
• Dr Alex Zelinsky publications indexed by Google Scholar
• Robotics Systems Laboratory, (Australian National University)

References

External links

• Lessons learned about science and innovation
• Fran Foo (2 March 2010). "Alex Zelinsky, CSIRO information sciences group executive". The Australian. 
• Ben Langford (12 January 2012). "Science key to defence". Illawarra Mercury. p. 6. 
• "Symposium: Australia's science future". Australian Academy of Science. 3–4 May 2000. Archived from the original on 6 January 2013.