The Clunies Ross Medal

Dr Alan Finkel, co-founder of COSMOS and Chairman of the company that publishes the magazine, Luna Media, has been appointed to the Board of Governors of the ATSE Clunies Ross Foundation.

Established in 1959 to perpetuate the memory of Sir Ian Clunies Ross and promote the development of science and technology in Australia's beneficial interest, the foundation is part of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

Its major activity is the staging of the prestigious Clunies Ross National Science and Technology Awards, given out annually at a gala reception in Melbourne. They are one of the pre-eminent awards for scientists, technologists and innovators across Australia and have helped raise the profile of science and technology in the community.

The Foundation said it was pleased to announce the appointment of "noted neuroscientist and electrical engineer Dr Alan Finkel, founder of Axon Instruments, a company that rose to international pre-eminence as a supplier of electronic and robotic instruments and software for cellular neurosciences, genomics and pharmaceutical drug discovery."

Dr Finkel is the first winner of the prestigious ATSE Clunies Ross Award to join the ATSE Clunies Ross Board of Governors, it added.

At a gala awards dinner in April 2005, Dr Finkel was recognised for the development of instrumentation to measure electrical activity in cells and muscles, which has helped in the research of diseases ranging from stroke to diabetes to cystic fibrosis, and in the development of medical equipment such as pacemakers.

"The key aim of the Foundation and the awards is to recognise Australians who have converted science and technology into a practical innovation for the social and economic benefit of Australia," said Andrew Michelmore, the Foundation's Chairman. "But an essential underpinning goal is to promote the understanding of and interest in science among the broader community.

"I believe Alan's greatest contribution to the Board and the Foundation's activities will be his wholehearted passion for science, and absolute dedication to furthering our society's commitment to science innovation."

Dr Finkel holds positions with the Wesley College Foundation and the advisory council for the National Research Centre for Prevention of Child Abuse, and is Chairman of the Australian Advanced Neurosciences Research Initiative.