Australian Synchrotron appoints new Head of Science

The Acting Director of the Australian Synchrotron, Dr George Borg, and La Trobe University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Tim Brown, have appointed a new Head of Science at the Australian Synchrotron - Dr Andrew Peele.

Dr Peele, who is an Associate Professor and Reader at La Trobe University, Melbourne, and Head of the Department of Physics X-Ray Science group, joins the Australian Synchrotron on secondment.

The Australian Synchrotron has also appointed a new Head of External Relations - Dr Shirley Lanning. In her new role, Dr Lanning will be responsible for the facility’s stakeholder relations, communications and outreach activities.

Dr Borg said the two appointments came at an exciting time in the Australian Synchrotron’s development, as it plans to expand its scientific capabilities.

As an investigator on grants totalling more than $25 million, Dr Peele has significant experience in team management and science administration, having previously been the Victorian Branch Chair of the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) and Co-Chair of the AIP Congress. He also has extensive experience in synchrotron science having published over 80 refereed articles.

Dr Peele said that by synchrotron standards the science facility was still very young and its credentials and performance first class.

“In its short life, the Australian Synchrotron has attracted some of the best minds in synchrotron science and, in addition to supporting the research needs of over 2000 domestic and international scientists since its opening in 2007, it continues to run its existing beamlines (research stations) at better than 99% reliability,” said Dr Peele.

“The Australian Synchrotron has realised its aims in establishing its first suite of beamlines covering research techniques ranging from imaging and medical therapy to powder diffraction, but it must grow so as to continue to provide Australian and international researchers with access to a world-class science and research facility.”