With a career spanning over 35 years in research, there are no bounds to the range of knowledge and expertise of ANSTO’s Senior Principal Research Scientist, Dr David Cohen.
Dr Cohen is working on research to help identify the sources of fine particle pollution across Asia. Air pollution is a major problem in this region, mostly due to a high concentration of cars, industries and wind-blown soils from desert areas. Globally, more people are dying from air pollution related diseases than in road related deaths.
This is just one of many research projects Dr Cohen has been at the helm of over the past three decades. Recognising his achievements, the Australian Nuclear Association awarded Dr Cohen with its 2010 Annual Award. Dr Cohen received the award at a recent ceremony in Sydney for his outstanding contributions to research and applications of accelerator science and technology.
Accelerator science involves the use of instruments which accelerate electrically charged particles to extremely high speeds to create a high energy reaction. It is an integral part of research at ANSTO and underpins the development of new materials and processes in nanotechnology, environmental science and medicine. Particular applications in these fields can include cancer therapy, medical diagnostics, improving air and water quality and DNA analysis.
“It was both rewarding and humbling to receive this recognition from the Association,“ Dr Cohen said. The Australian Nuclear Association is an independent institution comprised of members from the business world, governments and universities with an interest in nuclear related topics.
Dr Cohen has been instrumental in steering research in the field of accelerator science within the organisation but says he wouldn’t be where he is today without the help of some significant people.
“Research, by necessity, is a team effort and I’d like to acknowledge colleagues at AINSE and ANSTO for their support over many years,” he said. “In particular, Bill Palmer, former Executive Officer of AINSE and John Boldeman, former Chief of Physics Division at ANSTO for their mentoring roles and guidance in my career.”
Dr David Cohen is a highly respected scientist with 185 journal articles published and 360 conference and report publications. He has been involved with several national and international groups including the Australian Synchrotron National Science Advisory Committee and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He has also been the National Coordinator of the Global and Regional Coordinated Research Program on Air Pollution Studies run by the IAEA.
Career snapshot:
- B.Sc (Hons) Physics, University of Sydney 1969
- M.Sc Plasma Physics University of Sydney 1972
- Department of Electrical Engineering UNSW 1973-74
- Rutherford High Energy Research Laboratory, Oxford, England 1974-75
- CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear Research) Geneva, Switzerland 1975
- Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) 1976-88
- Ph.D Atomic Physics, University of NSW 1982
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation 1989
- Appointed Honorary Professor Faculty of Engineering, Department of Medical Physics, University of Wollongong 2000.
- Promoted to top research level within ANSTO 2009
- Elected fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering 2009