Jim Peacock
Encyclopedia
William James Peacock AC
(born 14 December 1937) was Chief Scientist of Australia
(2006–2008), President of the Australian Academy of Science
(2002–2006) and Chief of CSIRO Plant Industry (1978–2003).
Peacock was born in Leura, New South Wales and educated at the University of Sydney
where he studied botany and zoology and gained a PhD in genetics. He followed this with post doctoral positions in genetics at the University of Oregon in Eugene and molecular biology at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, before returning to Australia to work with the CSIRO.
Dr. Peacock is a Member of the Prime Minister
’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC
) and the National Innovation Council and has served on the Australian Research Council
(ARC) Grants Committee, the Australian Science, Technology and Engineering Council
(ASTEC) and the Academy of Science
's Committee on Recombinant DNA
Molecules (ASCORD). In 2000, Dr. Peacock was joint recipient of the inaugural Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
.
Dr. Peacock has had a distinguished career in science and has received many honours. He was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1994, elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London in Mar 1982., a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
and the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science, a Foreign Associate of the United States National Academy of Sciences
, Foreign Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy
, and a Foundation Member Academia Bibliotheca Alexandrinae.
He was appointed Chief Scientist of Australia
on a part-time basis in March 2006, and his term concluded on 31 August 2008. Dr. Penny Sackett
was appointed as his replacement, to take up the position on a full-time basis in November 2008.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 14 December 1937) was Chief Scientist of Australia
Office of the Chief Scientist (Australia)
The Office of the Chief Scientist is part of Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research . Its primary responsibilities are to support the Chief Scientist and the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council .-Chief Scientist:The Chief Scientist is responsible for...
(2006–2008), President of the Australian Academy of Science
Australian Academy of Science
The Australian Academy of Science was founded in 1954 by a group of distinguished Australians, including Australian Fellows of the Royal Society of London. The first president was Sir Mark Oliphant. The Academy is modelled after the Royal Society and operates under a Royal Charter; as such it is...
(2002–2006) and Chief of CSIRO Plant Industry (1978–2003).
Peacock was born in Leura, New South Wales and educated at the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
where he studied botany and zoology and gained a PhD in genetics. He followed this with post doctoral positions in genetics at the University of Oregon in Eugene and molecular biology at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, before returning to Australia to work with the CSIRO.
Dr. Peacock is a Member of the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council (PMSEIC
PMSEIC
The Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council is the Australian government's principal source of advice on science, engineering, and innovation issues, as well as relevant aspects of education and training...
) and the National Innovation Council and has served on the Australian Research Council
Australian Research Council
The Australian Research Council is the Australian Government’s main agency for allocating research funding to academics and researchers in Australian universities. Its mission is to advance Australia’s capacity to undertake research that brings economic, social and cultural benefit to the...
(ARC) Grants Committee, the Australian Science, Technology and Engineering Council
Australian Science, Technology and Engineering Council
The Australian Science, Technology and Engineering Council was an Australian government agency. ASTEC was established in April 1977 as the Australian Science and Technology Council to advise the Australian government on matters relating to science and technology.The council was composed of leading...
(ASTEC) and the Academy of Science
Australian Academy of Science
The Australian Academy of Science was founded in 1954 by a group of distinguished Australians, including Australian Fellows of the Royal Society of London. The first president was Sir Mark Oliphant. The Academy is modelled after the Royal Society and operates under a Royal Charter; as such it is...
's Committee on Recombinant DNA
Recombinant DNA
Recombinant DNA molecules are DNA sequences that result from the use of laboratory methods to bring together genetic material from multiple sources, creating sequences that would not otherwise be found in biological organisms...
Molecules (ASCORD). In 2000, Dr. Peacock was joint recipient of the inaugural Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
Office of the Chief Scientist (Australia)
The Office of the Chief Scientist is part of Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research . Its primary responsibilities are to support the Chief Scientist and the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council .-Chief Scientist:The Chief Scientist is responsible for...
.
Dr. Peacock has had a distinguished career in science and has received many honours. He was made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1994, elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of London in Mar 1982., a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering is an independent non-government organization dedicated to the promotion in Australia of scientific and engineering knowledge to practical purposes. Professor Robin Batterham is the current President of ATSE....
and the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science, a Foreign Associate of the United States National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
, Foreign Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy
Indian National Science Academy
The Indian National Science Academy , New Delhi is the apex body of Indian scientists representing all branches of science & technology.-History:...
, and a Foundation Member Academia Bibliotheca Alexandrinae.
He was appointed Chief Scientist of Australia
Office of the Chief Scientist (Australia)
The Office of the Chief Scientist is part of Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research . Its primary responsibilities are to support the Chief Scientist and the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council .-Chief Scientist:The Chief Scientist is responsible for...
on a part-time basis in March 2006, and his term concluded on 31 August 2008. Dr. Penny Sackett
Penny Sackett
Penny Diane Sackett is an American-born Australian astronomer and former director of the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Australian National University...
was appointed as his replacement, to take up the position on a full-time basis in November 2008.