Person

Stocker, John Wilcox (1945 - )

AO FTSE FRACP

Born
23 April 1945
London, United Kingdom
Occupation
Chief Scientist, Immunologist and Medical scientist

Summary

John Stocker was Australia's Chief Scientist in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet from 1996 to 1999. His early career as an immunologist was spent in Switzerland investigating opportunities for scientific and commercial development of biotechnology-based vaccines. He was involved in research on monoclonal antibodies, human interferon and the discovery of the antibiotic Rocephin. In 1987 Stocker returned to Melbourne as the first Managing Director of AMRAD (Australian Medical Research and Development Corporation), a Victorian Government initiative to promote the commercialisation and industrial application of Australian biomedical discoveries. As Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation his priorities included improving teamwork across CSIRO through the Institute structure, identifying opportunities for returns on research expenditure especially in the minerals, electronics and water technology fields, and the establishment of leadership development program. When Chief Scientist for Australia, a part-time position, Stocker led landmark reviews into science priorities for Australia and the Co-operative Research Centre program. In recent years he has been involved with various research and development enterprises including as a founder of Foursight Associates, a company advising on R&D and science to companies, investment institutions, academics and government.

Details

Chronology

1969
Education - BMedSc, University of Melbourne
1970
Education - MB BS, University of Melbourne
1970 - 1972
Career position - Resident Medical Officer at the Royal Melbourne Hospital
1974 - 1976
Career position - Research Scientist at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
1976
Education - PhD, University of Melbourne
1976 - 1979
Career position - Scientist at the Basel Institute of Immunology, Switzerland
1979 - 1984
Career position - Scientist at the Central Research Unit of Hoffman-La Roche & Co. in Basel
1986 - 1987
Career position - Director of Pharmaceutical Research at Hoffman-La Roche & Co.
1987 - 1990
Career position - Founding Managing Director of AMRAD (Australian Medical Research and Development Corporation)
1988 -
Career position - Director of the Victorian Government Strategic Research Foundation
1989 -
Career event - Fellow, Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP)
1990
Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (FTSE)
March 1990 - March 1995
Career position - Chief Executive, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
1992 -
Career position - Director of Gene Shears Pty Ltd
1992
Award - Australian of the Year
1995 -
Career position - Director of Research and Innovation at Pratt Industries
1996
Career position - Foursight Associates established
1996 - 1997
Career position - Chairman, Australian Science and Technology Council
1996 - 1999
Career position - founding member, Prime Minister's Science, Engineering and Innovation Council
1996 - 1999
Career position - Chief Scientist, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
1996 - 2003
Career position - Chairman, Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation
1996 - 2006
Career position - Director, Cambridge Antibody Technology Plc
1997 - 1998
Career position - Chairman, Australian Science, Technology and Engineering Council
1999
Award - Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) - For service to the advancement of Australian scientific and technological research and its application for economic, social and environmental benefit
2000 - 2006
Career position - Board Member, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
2001
Award - Centenary Medal - for outstanding service to science policy, serving as Chief Scientist and Chair of ASTEC
2005 - 2010
Career position - Chairman, Sigma Pharmaceuticals
June 2007 - June 2010
Career position - Chairman of the Board, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
2013 -
Career position - Chairman, Science and Engineering Advisory Committee, Environment Protection Authority of Victoria
2015 -
Career position - Director, Menzies Foundation
2015
Award - Doctor of Medical Science (DMedSc), honoris causa, University of Melbourne

Archival resources

National Library of Australia Oral History Collection

  • Interview with Dr John Stocker, scientist [sound recording] / interviewer, Diana Giese, 1 June 2000, TRC 4585; National Library of Australia Oral History Collection. Details

Published resources

Newspaper Articles

  • Grose, Simon, 'A scientist determined to have his voice heard', The Canberra Times (1996), 11. Details

Resources

Resource Sections

Rosanne Walker and Helen Cohn

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