Alan Finkel

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.[4] During this time, he invented a commercially successful device which substantially speeds up drug research.[2][5]

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.[6]

In 2006 Finkel was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM)[7] 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.[8] In 2009 Finkel was appointed as the Chief Technology Officer of Better Place Australia.[9] In 2012 he co-founded Stile Education, a science education company based in Melbourne, Australia.[10] In 2013 he was appointed President of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE).[11] Since 2011, Finkel also serves as the Patron of In2science[12] and since 2013, as the Patron of the Australian Science Media Centre.[13]

• 2015: Winner of the Institution of Engineering and Technology Mountbatten Medal, for his promotion of electronics or information technology and their application.[14]
• 2015: Elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (FAHMS).[15]
• 2016: M. A. Sargent Medal.
• 2019: IEEE Joseph F. Keithley Award in Instrumentation and Measurement
• 2019: David Dewhurst Medal

He is married to Elizabeth Finkel, an Australian science journalist.[6]

Since assuming his role as President of ATSE in 2013, Alan Finkel has advocated for the consideration of nuclear power in Australia in newspapers,[16][17] at speaking engagements[18] and in digital media broadcasts.[19] Following his appointment as Australia's Chief Scientist in 2015, Finkel suggested nuclear power should be considered as an option for potential inclusion in Australia's future low carbon energy mix.[20]

• Finkel, Alan (February–March 2014). "Doomsday or boomsday?". Incurable Engineer. Cosmos. 55: 27.
• Finkel, Alan; Australia. Dept. of Education and Training (2017), 2016 National Research Infrastructure Roadmap, [Dept. of Education and Training], ISBN 978-1-76051-015-2
• Finkel, Dr Alan (Australia's Chief Scientist); National Press Club Address, Australian Broadcasting Commission, https://iview.abc.net.au/show/national-press-club-address - 12 February 2020[21]