Today Dr Adi Paterson commenced as Chief Executive Officer of Australia’s nuclear organisation ANSTO. Dr Adi Paterson comes to ANSTO from South Africa where he was General Manager: Business Development and Operations, at the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor Company. He has a BSc in Chemistry and a PhD in Engineering from the University of Cape Town.
Dr Paterson said he was keen to roll up his sleeves and come to grips with the opportunities and challenges that face the organisation.
“All seven new neutron beam instruments are now operational and OPAL is providing neutrons. There are great opportunities to produce new and exciting science with our research partners and to add to ANSTO’s already excellent scientific portfolio,” he said.
“It’s been a tough couple of years. ANSTO has faced the challenges set by fuel design issues for OPAL and budget and staff cuts,” he said. “The team has resolved the reactor fuel problem with focus and careful planning. I am a firm believer that the learning will stand us in good stead for the years ahead.
“ANSTO is globally respected in a number of key areas. We will seek to strengthen and deepen the impact of ANSTO’s work.”
Dr Paterson’s scientific experience covers the field of materials science and he has worked closely with government, contributing to South Africa’s national science policy development. He has a strong commercial background and a successful history of technical leadership and organisational change.
Dr Paterson has also developed the processes underpinning the building of successful relationships between universities, national research institutes and government. He is a past Chair of the South African Innovation Fund and currently 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 partnerships and commercialisation of these systems.
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.
Dr Paterson is 52 and married with two sons who are presently studying at university. His appointment is for five years.
Published: 02/03/2008