Alex Zelinsky

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Alex Zelinsky
Born (1960 -03-05) March 5, 1960 (age 64)
Wollongong, NSW
Nationality Australian
Title Chief Defence Scientist
Term 2012–present
Predecessor Robert Clark
Scientific career
Fields mobile robotics[1]
Institutions CSIRO, DSTO
Education University of Wollongong
Thesis Environment exploration and path planning algorithms for mobile robot navigation using sonar (1991)

Alexander "Alex" Zelinsky (born 5 March 1960 in Wollongong, NSW) is Australia's Chief Defence Scientist, 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 Australia's Defence Science and Technology Organisation, having served in that position since March 2012.[2][3]

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.[4] In 2000 as CEO, he co-founded, and is currently a non-executive director of,[5] Seeing Machines Limited, a company listed on the London stock exchange.[6] 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).[4]

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,[4][5] all from the University of Wollongong (UoW).[7] He is also a member of the University of Wollongong Council.[8]

He is a Fellow of:

Some of his awards and appointments include:

  • In 2003, 2004,[11] 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".[5][12]
  • Since 2008 he has been named as one of Australia's 100 most influential engineers.[13]
  • In 2011 he led the CSIRO team named as a Global Supplier of the Year by Boeing.[14]
  • In 2012 he has been named as an Innovation Hero by The Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering.[15]
  • In August 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".[16][17]

Lists of Publications

References

  1. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. On 23 December 2011, Warren Snowdon, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, announced that Zelinsky would become Australia's Chief Defence Scientist in early 2012, following the retirement of Robert Clark from the role in October 2011.
    Dr Alex Zelinsky appointed as new CDS – 2012, Media Release – Minister Warren Snowdon, www.dsto.defence.gov.au.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Alex Zelinsky, UoW Council Member Profile, www.uow.edu.au
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Board of Directors, Seeing Machines Limited.
  6. Seeing Machines Limited website, www.seeingmachines.com
  7. University of Wollongong website, www.uow.edu.au
  8. University Council, University of Wollongong
  9. IEEE Fellows List, www.ieee.org
  10. Institute of Engineers Honorary Fellows List, Engineers Australia website
  11. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. Past Award Winners, ATSE Clunies-Ross award, www.atse.org.au
  13. Australia's Top 100 Engineers, Engineers Australia Website
  14. Boeing names the CSIRO Supplier of the Year, Australian Government Dept of Innovation Website
  15. Innovation Hero Awards, Warren Centre Website
  16. Pearcey Medal for Lifetime Achievement, The Pearcey Foundation, www.pearcey.org.au
  17. 2013 National Medal, The Pearcey Foundation, www.pearcey.org.au

External links

Government offices
Preceded by
Prof Robert Clark
Chief Defence Scientist of Australia
2012–present
Incumbent