P007300 revised AU-VU:EOAS Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation

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 English AACR2 Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules Person created 2023-10-31 human Helen Cohn updated 2026-01-20 human https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P007300b.htm person Aitken Robert John FAA FAHMS AACR2 4 September 1947 Place of Birth Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom Reproductive biologist University Administrator John Aitken is internationally renowned for his research in the field of reproductive biology. His research focuses in particular on male reproductive biology and the development of more effective methods of contraception. Aitken joined the University of Newcastle in 1999 as Head of the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, after a distinguished career in Edinburgh. He was Foundation Director of the University's Centre for Life Sciences and headed the ARC Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development.

"John Aitken's research has elucidated fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating mammalian sperm function, fertilisation and early embryonic development. Demonstrating that oxidative stress, due to electron leakage, plays a major role in defective sperm function, his work linked this pathway to DNA damage and provided the basis for anti-oxidant therapy. Using proteomic approaches, he has identified a number of novel mediators of sperm-egg interactions. These studies unravelled new mechanisms which prevent sperm degeneration by blocking apoptotic pathways. Based on this information, his work provides opportunities to improve fertility and also pathways for new contraceptive development." [from https://www.science.org.au/profile/robert-aitken 31/10/2023]

1969 1969 Education - Bachelor of Science (BSc), University of London 1970 1970 Education - Master of Science (MSc), University of Wales 1973 1973 Education - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Cambridge 1973 1975 Career position - MRC Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Edinburgh 1975 1976 Career position - Consultant Scientist, Human Reproduction Programme, WHO 1976 1977 Career position - Charge de Recherche Laboratoire d'Endocrinologie Experimentale, Faculté de Medicine, Université de Bordeaux, France 1977 1982 Career position - Research Scientist, MRC Reproductive Biology Unit, University of Edinburgh 1982 1987 Career position - Senior Scientist, MRC Reproductive Biology Unit, University of Edinburgh 1987 1998 Career position - Special Appointment Professorial Level, MRC Reproductive Biology Unit, University of Edinburgh 1992 Career position - Honorary Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Edinburgh 1996 1999 Career position - Acting Deputy Director, MRC Reproductive Biology Unit, University of Edinburgh 1998 1998 Education - ScD, University of Cambridge 1998 2005 Career position - Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle 1998 2015 Career position - Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle 1999 2001 Career position - Head, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, University of Newcastle 1999 2013 Career position - Head, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle 2000 2000 Career position - Foundation Director, Centre for Life Sciences, University of Newcastle 2003 2010 Career position - Director, ARC Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Development 2005 Career position - Managing Director, Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle 2005 Career position - Laureate Professor of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle 2011 Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Science (FAA) 2012 Award - Fellow, Australian Society for Reproductive Biology 2012 2012 Award - Scientist of the Year, New South Wales Science and Engineering Awards 2013 Career position - President, International Society of Andrology Australia 2014 Award - Life Member, Australian Society for Reproductive Biology 2015 Award - Fellow, Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (FAHMS) 2016 2016 Award - Carl G. Hartman Award, Society for the Study of Reproduction 2021 2021 Award - Clarke Medal, and delivered the Clarke Memorial Lecture, Royal Society of New South Wales Clarke Medal, Royal Society of New South Wales (1878 - )

Awarded the Medal 2021

 The University of Newcastle (1965 - )

Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Health and Medicine 1998 - 2015; Laureate Professor of Biological Sciences 2015 -

 Australian Academy of Science (1954 - )

Elected Fellow 2011

 Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (2014 - )

Fellow 2015 -

 New South Wales Science and Engineering Awards (2008 - 2014)

Scientist of the Year 2012

 Australian Society for Reproductive Biology (1969 - )

Fellow 2012 - ; Life Member 2014 -

 'Aitken, Robert John (John)', in Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation, Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology Aitken, Robert John (John) Swinburne University of Technology, Centre for Transformative Innovation Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Resource: Fellows of the Academy Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences Fellows of the Academy Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences Resource: The Academy's Fellows [including profiles and other relevant links] Australian Academy of Science The Academy's Fellows [including profiles and other relevant links] Canberra Australian Academy of Science 2019 Edited Book: Who's who in Australia 2019 Robson, Alexandra K.; Production Manager and Editor Who's who in Australia 2019 55th Southbank, Vic. AAP Directories 2018