Cowley becomes veski's fourth ATSE Fellow

veski innovation fellow Professor Michael Cowley FTSE has become the third veski innovation fellow, and fourth member of the veski family, to be elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE).

Professor Cowley was one of the 31 Australian leaders in technological science, engineering and innovation elected as 2011 Fellows of the ATSE, and follows veski’s Professor Andrew Holmes AM FRS FAA FTSE, Professor Edwin van Leeuwen FTSE and chairman Professor Snow Barlow FTSE.

veski chief executive officer, Julia Page, congratulated Michael and said it was wonderful to see another member of the veski family receiving this prestigious recognition.

“We are extremely proud of Michael’s achievement, and delighted to see more than a quarter of our veski innovation fellows recognised by the ATSE,” Julia said.

“Not only do Fellows like Michael play an active and significant role in the Victorian and Australian science communities, they also continue to give back to our organisation,” she added.

Michael became a veski innovation fellow in early 2008 is the director of the Monash Obesity and Diabetes Institute and was one of the medical technology figures awarded an FTSE. His research into weight management, obesity and diabetes has led to significant medical breakthroughs and drug design. He has also been awarded the prestigious Commonwealth Science Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year.

Other medical technology figures included:

• Professor Nigel Lovell FTSE, Scientia Professor, Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, University of New South Wales
• Professor Christopher Parish FTSE, Leader, Cancer and Vascular Biology Group, Australian National University
• Dr Tracie Ramsdale FTSE, Director, Alchemia Limited
• Professor Karen Reynolds FTSE
• Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Flinders University
• Professor Maree Smith FTSE, Executive Director, Centre for Integrated Preclinical Drug Development, University of Queensland
• Professor Ronald Trent FTSE, Foundation Professor of Medical Molecular Genetics, The University of Sydney.

Engineering figures included:

• Professor Ian Cameron FTSE, Professor of Chemical Engineering, University of Queensland
• Professor Buddhima Indraratna FTSE, Head, School of Civil Mining and Environmental Engineering, University of Wollongong
• Professor Robin King FTSE, Higher Education Consultant and currently Executive Officer, Australian Council of Engineering Deans
• Mr Peter Meurs FTSE, Director of Developments, Fortescue Metals Group Limited
• Professor Mike Xie FTSE, Professor and Discipline Head, Civil Engineering, RMIT University.

Notable leaders in the water field included:

• Professor Ana Deletic FTSE, Professor of Civil Engineering and Director, Centre for Water Sensitive Cities, Monash University
• Professor Jurg Keller FTSE, Director, Advanced Water Management Centre and Professor, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Queensland
• Mr Ken Matthews FTSE, Chair, Board of Governors, Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) and former Chair/CEO of the National Water Commission
• Dr John Williams FTSE, Commissioner, NSW Natural Resources Commission.

The Academy also recognised a new Foreign Fellow in its annual election process, Dr John Loughhead FREng FTSE who is the Executive Director of UK Energy Research Centre. Michael will be officially presented with the fellowship on 26 November at the ATSE AGM and Oration Dinner.