27 March 2013
Leading materials and manufacturing science researcher, Professor Rob Short has been appointed as Pro Vice Chancellor for Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment at the University of South Australia.
Prof Short was the inaugural director of the University’s Mawson Institute and has developed its operations from a paper concept and basic business plan to a thriving research institute, with more than 100 researchers from around the world actively engaged in three national Cooperative Research Centres. The institute is also the lead organisation in the new CRC in Cell Therapy Manufacturing.
University of South Australia Vice Chancellor Professor David Lloyd says the appointment of Prof Short is an outstanding one.
“Our search to fill the position was global but the recruitment process clearly showed that the best person for the job was already in our midst within the organisation,” Prof Lloyd said.
“In Rob Short we have someone who has proven himself across the board - as a teaching academic, a researcher, as a manager and mentor to other researchers. Rob has also shown himself to be a leader in developing invaluable relationships with industry to undertake innovative, solution-based research and someone committed to the notion that the best teaching is informed and enhanced by a research-rich environment.
“I believe the University will benefit from his great experience and I look forward to working with him.”
Professor Short says he is enthusiastic about his new role and keen to support the continuing success of the University and the advancement of science education.
“I have a real passion for research-led and research-informed teaching and I want to encourage the Division of ITEE to build an increasingly dynamic and engaged learning environment for our students so that their careers and professional expertise become a reflection of both our quality and our relevance,” Prof Short says.
Professor Short has a 20-year track record of research and commercialisation in the fields of thin film coatings, biomaterial science and life science tools research. He studied Chemistry (BSc) and Physical Chemistry (PhD) at the University of Durham (UK) and joined the University of Sheffield in 1988, where he held the Chair of Material and Biomaterial Chemistry from 2001.
During this period, he was founding director of two university spin-off companies.
He is a Fellow of Royal Society of Chemistry; Fellow of Institute Materials, Minerals and Mining and was appointed to Personal Chair in Material and Biomaterial Chemistry at the University of Sheffield (UK) in 2001.
With his colleague from Sheffield University, Prof Shelia McNeil, he developed a new technology for treatment of severe burns (myskin) which since 2008 has been the basis for life changing treatment for more than 600 patients.
His research interests include plasma technology as an engineering tool and regenerative medicine specifically related to the growth of damaged tissue.
He took on the role of Director of UniSA’s Mawson Institute in 2006, and in 2008 he joined the ARC College of Experts (2008-10). He has held positions on several Boards and on Scientific Advisory Groups and remains an active researcher with more than 180 journal articles published.
Media contact: Michèle Nardelli office: 08 8302 0966 mobile: 0418 823 673 email: michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au
