Alan Finkel

Chancellor, Monash University

Melbourne

Dr Alan Finkel has served as Chancellor of Monash University since January 2008. Dr Finkel is a respected engineer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Dr Finkel completed his undergraduate and doctoral studies in engineering at Monash University before serving for two years as a neuroscience research fellow at the John Curtin School of Medical Research at The Australian National University.

In 1983, Dr Finkel established Axon Instruments, a supplier of electronic and robotic instruments and software for use in cellular neuroscience, genomics and drug discovery. In 2000 Axon was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. It was acquired by the US firm Molecular Devices Corporation in 2004. Post Axon, Dr Finkel co-founded COSMOS and G magazines to promote science awareness and sustainability; led the establishment of the Australian Course in Advanced Neuroscience; fostered initiatives to reinvigorate secondary school science education; and co-founded a company distributing educational toys and books for children. Dr Finkel is a Fellow and President of the Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering (ATSE).

He formerly held governance roles at the ATSE Clunies Ross Foundation in child-abuse research and medical research. Dr Finkel currently serves as the CEO of Stile Education Pty Ltd and as the Chairman of the Australian Centre of Excellence for All-Sky Astrophysics.