Gregory Robinson

Biography

The Vice-Chancellor of Macquarie University, Professor S Bruce Dowton, today announced the appointment of Professor Isak (Sakkie) Pretorius as the University’s next Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research. Professor Pretorius is currently Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice President: Research and Innovation at the University of South Australia. He is internationally recognised as a pioneer in molecular microbiology and biotechnology, and the translation of research outcomes to industry, forged through senior academic roles in South Africa, the US and Europe. In 2003 he relocated to Adelaide with his family to take up the position of Director of Research at the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI), where he became Managing Director and CEO the following year. Professor Pretorius has published around 200 peer-reviewed research papers (current H-index of 34) and 93 non-peer-reviewed articles; 19 conference proceedings papers; and presented at 432 conferences (many as an invited keynote speaker) and 114 research seminars. He has won many research grants ($90 million) and awards, and filed six patents. Over the past three decades, Professor Pretorius has supervised or co-supervised 33 PhD students and 56 MSc students. Currently, he holds Adjunct Professorships at the University of Adelaide and the University of British Columbia. “In Sakkie Pretorius I believe we have found not only an esteemed research strategist and leader, but also the right advocate for Macquarie at a time when our national and international research profile is higher than it has ever been before,” Professor Dowton said. Professor Pretorius will assume his new position in July 2013, following the retirement of Professor Jim Piper, who has served as Macquarie’s DVC Research for the past decade. Professor Piper has a long and distinguished service at Macquarie University, beginning in 1975 when he was appointed to his initial academic position in the university. He was Professor of Physics from 1984 and served as Dean of the Division of Information and Communication Services from 1977 to 2002. Professor Piper was appointed as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research in 2003 and has led Macquarie University to outstanding improvements in research performance over the last decade.

Research Interest

Social sciences