New appointments at ANSTO

Dr Adrian (Adi) Paterson has been reappointed as chief executive officer of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and businessman James McDowell has been appointed deputy chair of the ANSTO board.

Dr Paterson commenced as CEO at ANSTO in March 2009 and his appointment will now continue until February 2017.

In 2012, Dr Paterson secured the $168 million ANSTO Nuclear Medicine project and with his reappointment will see this through. Plans were approved for the construction of the new nuclear medicine manufacturing plant last year, which will involve the production of isotopes used in medical imaging for the diagnosis of heart disease, cancer and musculoskeletal conditions.

McDowell most recently worked as CEO of global company BAE Systems in Saudi Arabia. He has international experience in large-scale infrastructure projects in the aerospace and defence business sectors.

ANSTO Chairman Dr Paul Greenfield joined the Minister for Industry, Ian Macfarlane, in congratulating Dr Paterson and Mr McDowell.

“This is a dynamic and exciting time for ANSTO and this is reflected in the overall contribution nuclear science and technology is now making across a range of key areas,” said Dr Greenfield.