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Professor joins ANSTO board

7 May 2008

Professor David Copolov

Professor David Copolov will join former Telstra CEO Dr Ziggy Switkowski, Vice Chancellor of the University of Queensland Professor Paul Greenfield, and Chancellor of Swinburne University Mr Bill Scales on the board of ANSTO.

A Monash professor has been appointed to the nine-member board of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO).

Senior Advisor in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor Professor David Copolov will join other prominent board members, former Telstra CEO Dr Ziggy Switkowski, Vice Chancellor of the University of Queensland Professor Paul Greenfield, and Chancellor of Swinburne University Mr Bill Scales.

ANSTO describes itself as the centre of Australia's nuclear science capabilities and expertise. It produces radiopharmaceuticals that assist in the diagnosis of serious illnesses and also helps to solve a range of environmental and industrial issues.

Monash researchers interact with ANSTO extensively via the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) and travel to Sydney on a regular basis to make use of its facilities.

Monash and ANSTO are also partners in the Cooperative Research Centre for Biomedical Imaging Development which is developing new radiopharmaceuticals for the earlier and more accurate detection of malignant tumours.

Professor Copolov said he was delighted to be appointed to the board.

"ANSTO is well renowned for harnessing the power of the atom - especially one of its constituents, the neutron - for peaceful purposes, enhancing medical diagnosis and treatment and conducting research in areas that are vital to Australia's future including the environment, agriculture, manufacturing, minerals, materials and counter-terrorism," Professor Copolov said.

"I hope to play a role in ensuring that ANSTO continues to make the best possible use of its staff's high-level expertise and technical excellence, and its superb suite of equipment including its centrepiece, the 18 month-old $400m OPAL nuclear reactor."

Professor Copolov is a psychiatric researcher and clinician whose area of expertise has been research into and the treatment of schizophrenia and related disorders. He was the Director of the Mental Health Research Institute (MHRI) of Victoria from 1985 to 2004 and continues to research this area of mental health.

In his current role he facilitates major growth strategies for the University.

He is also Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute and a Director of the Governing Board of the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment.