Dr Alan Simon Finkel AM is a neuroscientist, entrepreneur and philanthropist. In 2007, he was appointed as the new Chancellor of Monash University, a position he commenced on January 1, 2008.^[1]

Finkel was educated at Monash University, receiving a doctorate in Electrical Engineering in 1981. He then served as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Australian National University, before leaving academia to found Axon Instruments, a global science and technology company based in the US.^[2] During this time, he invented a device which substantially speeds up drug research, which was extremely successful commercially.^[3][1]

Since then, he has used his wealth to found the science magazine Cosmos, an environment magazine called G: The Green Lifestyle Magazine and contribute towards a number of research institutes. His philanthropy has extended to a range of areas. During a speech at Monash University's 50th Anniversary Celebration Dinner, he announced that he would be endowing a Chair in Global Health for the University.^[4]

In 2006 Dr Finkel was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia.^[5] In 2008 he was inducted as an honorary member of the Monash Golden Key Society to recognize his achievements.^[6]

Dr Finkel will be one of 448 passengers on the Virgin Galactic.^[3]

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