Prof Frederick Menk
Professor Frederick Menk
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Frederick Menk is Emeritus Professor of physics at the University of Newcastle. He has 40 years’ experience in space science research, with over $7 million in ARC and CRC funding. As chair of the Academy of Science’s National Committee for Space and Radio Science he was recently responsible for developing Australia’s strategic plan for space science, with a focus on growing innovation, sovereign capability and translational research. He had earlier been Education program manager and project manager for an Australian satellite payload within the CRC for Satellite Systems.
Previous positions include Deputy Executive Dean and Assistant Dean roles in the Faculty of Science and IT, University of Newcastle (2003-2012), and Head, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, all during significant change processes. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics, co-recipient of two Engineers Australia national Excellence Awards, and served as national representative to COSPAR, the principal scientific body representing international space research.
Fred has 150+ publications in space physics and medical radiation oncology, has led numerous national and international symposia and conferences, and reviewed funding proposals across ARC and international schemes including in-person NASA panels. He has been a member of the TEQSA Register of External Experts, chaired external reviews of domestic and international academic programs, developed many strategic initiatives to improve institutional research and teaching and learning outcomes, and mentored over 30 PhD students.