Dr. Adrian (Adi) PatersonANSTO Press Release
Dr Ziggy Switkowski, Chairman of the Board, today announced the appointment of Dr Adrian (Adi) Paterson as the next ANSTO Chief Executive. He will commence at ANSTO on March 1, 2009.
Dr Paterson is currently general manager, Business Development and Operations, at the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor Company in South Africa. He has a BSc in Chemistry and a PhD in Engineering from the University of Cape Town.
Dr Paterson brings strong scientific credentials, especially in the field of materials science, wide experience in working with government and contributing to national policy development, attractive partnering and commercialisation skills, and a successful history of technical leadership and organisational change.
Dr Paterson has developed the processes underpinning the building of successful relationships between universities, national research institutes and government. He is a past Chair of the South Africa Innovation Fund and a member of the National Advisory Council on Innovation.
Since 2006, his responsibilities at the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor Company focused upon the development of a passively safe, high temperature gas reactor for process heat and international commercialisation.
From 2001 to 2006, Dr Paterson worked at the Department of Science and Technology in various science policy roles including the development of national innovation instruments and Research and Development strategy.
From 1984 to 2001, Dr Paterson worked at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (South Africa’s equivalent to CSIRO), rising through a number of assignments to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer.
“The Board is looking to Dr Paterson to lead ANSTO to the next level in its continuous improvement journey when the benefits of nuclear science and technology are enjoying increased recognition. His technical and organisational leadership will enable ANSTO to develop stronger partnerships with industry research establishments and nuclear medicine centres capitalising on Australia’s new research reactor, excellence in accelerator-based sciences and its radiopharmaceuticals manufacturing capability.” Dr Switkowski said today.
Dr Paterson is 52 and married with two sons who are presently studying at university. He will relocate with his wife to Sydney.
Dr Switkowski also thanked ANSTO’s acting Chief Executive Dr Ron Cameron who has filled the role since May 2008. “Dr Ron Cameron has professionally managed ANSTO’s activities through a period of organisational restructure combined with budget and operational challenges. ANSTO has been well served by Dr Cameron stepping into this role.”
Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, has welcomed Dr Paterson's appointment.
Senator Carr said Dr Paterson's strong public science and senior management background, combined with his experience in commercialisation of scientific research, will be of tremendous value to ANSTO.
“The ANSTO CEO position is among the most important in the national science administration framework. The CEO is responsible for the overall conduct of ANSTO's activities. Dr Paterson was selected from a very strong field of candidates," Senator Carr said.
“I am very grateful for Dr Cameron's leadership of ANSTO since the departure of ANSTO's former CEO, Dr Ian Smith, and I congratulate Dr Paterson on his appointment. This is an exciting time to become involved in the management of ANSTO, Australia’s only research organisation devoted solely to nuclear science and technology," Senator Carr said.
Dr. Paterson's Bio from the South African National Advisory Council on Innovation [link to NACI]
Dr Adi Paterson is the General Manager: Business Development and Operations at the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor Company. The PBMR is the South African Generation IV high temperature gas reactor programme. Adi joined the CSIR in 1984 and undertook and led research on ceramic materials securing two US Patents. He was Division Director of the Division of Materials Science and Technology at the CSIR from 1990 – 1994. Appointed to the CSIR Executive in 1995: with roles in HR, science and technology policy, strategic funding of research and innovation, CIO, organizational development and intellectual capital. Served on the CSIR and University of Pretoria Executive 2000–2001 (joint appointment). In the domain of public policy he was a co-author of the South African Green Paper on Science and Technology prior to his secondment to the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology as Head of the Science and Technology Branch in 2001. He co-authored National R&D Strategy and appointed COO when the Department of Science and Technology was formed in 2002. He joined PBMR in 2006. Currently he is a Member of South African Qualifications Authority, Member of the National Advisory Council on Innovation, Member of the Licensing Executives Society of South Africa, and Institute of Directors. He is a Board Member of the Sugar Milling Research Institute, a Member of the Academy of Science of South Africa and the South African Academy of Engineering. Previously he was a Member of the National Research and Technology Foresight Board, President of AS&TS (2000), Chair of the South African Excellence Foundation (1998), Chair of the Innovation Fund Trust, and the UNESCO Chief International Expert for the Science Reform in Nigeria. He was a Board Member of PBMR and the Cradle of Humankind Trust. He has a B.Sc. in Chemistry and a PhD in Engineering from the University of Cape Town.
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