Alexander "Alex" Zelinsky (born 5 March 1960) is an Australian computer scientist, systems engineer and roboticist. His career spans innovation, science and technology, research and development, commercial start-ups and education. Professor Zelinsky is Vice-chancellor and President of the University of Newcastle joining the university on 19 November 2018. He was the Chief Defence Scientist of Australia from March 2012 until November 2018. As Chief Defence Scientist he led defence science and technology for Australia's Department of Defence. 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
Career While studying at the University of Wollongong (UoW), Professor Zelinsky started his career in 1978 as a cadet systems engineer at The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited (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. In 2000 as chief executive officer (CEO), he co-founded, and was a non-executive director of,Board of Directors , Seeing Machines Limited. Seeing Machines Limited, a company listed on the London Stock Exchange (2000–2014).Seeing Machines Limited website, www.seeingmachines.com He was a senior executive at CSIRO (2004–2012), where he served as the Director of the ICT Centre (2004–2009), and Group Executive of Information Sciences (2007–2012).
Professor Zelinsky was Chief Defence Scientist and head of the Defence Science and Technology Group from March 2012 until November 2018.
On 20 June 2018, Professor Zelinsky was announced as the next Vice-chancellor and President of the University of Newcastle following the retirement of Caroline McMillen. He assumed the role 19 November 2018.
Qualifications and awards Professor Zelinsky has a Bachelor of Mathematical Sciences (Honours), a Doctor of Philosophy, and in 2010 was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science,Alex Zelinsky , UoW Council Member Profile, www.uow.edu.au all from the University of Wollongong.University of Wollongong website , www.uow.edu.au He also served as a member of the University of Wollongong Council (2012–2015).University Council , University of Wollongong
Professor Zelinsky is a Fellow of: the Australian Academy of Science (FAA); the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (FIEEE);IEEE Fellows List, www.ieee.org the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE); the Institute of Engineers Australia (Hon FIEAust);Institute of Engineers Honorary Fellows List , Engineers Australia website the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD); and the Royal Society of New South Wales (FRSN).
Professor Zelinsky’s awards and appointments include: in 2002, the Australian Computer Society - Eureka Prize for ICT Innovation. In 2003, 2004, and 2005, the World Economic Forum selected him as a Technology Pioneer in recognition of his commercialisation of technology with Seeing Machines. In May 2005 he was awarded the ATSE Clunies-Ross Award "for successful innovation involving the application of science and technology for the benefit of Australia".Past Award Winners , ATSE Clunies-Ross award, www.atse.org.au Since 2008 he has been named as one of Australia's 100 most influential engineers.Australia's Top 100 Engineers , Engineers Australia Website In 2011 he led the CSIRO team named as a Global Supplier of the Year by Boeing.Boeing names the CSIRO Supplier of the Year , Australian Government Dept of Innovation Website In 2012 he was named as an Innovation Hero by The Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering.Innovation Hero Awards , Warren Centre Website 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".Pearcey Medal for Lifetime Achievement, The Pearcey Foundation, www.pearcey.org.au2013 National Medal , The Pearcey Foundation, www.pearcey.org.au In 2015 he was awarded the M A Sargent Medal by Engineers Australia for outstanding professional contributions to engineering. In 2017 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the 2017 Queen's birthday honours. Dr Zelinsky was recognised "for distinguished service to defence science and technology, to systems engineering, and to education as an academic and researcher".Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia , 12 June 2017, Media Notes pg.55, 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours list, www.gg.gov.au In 2019 he was inducted by the Royal Institution of Australia as a Bragg Fellow
Lists of publications
Robotics Systems Laboratory, (Australian National University)
References
External links Lessons learned about science and innovation