Our People

Professor Tim Brown was Director of AMSI from 2019-20 following several years as Professor of Statistical Data Science at the University of Melbourne. Previously, Tim was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at La Trobe University (2008-2013), Dean of the College of Science (2005-2007), Dean of the Faculty of Science (2002-2007) and Professor of Statistics at the Australian National University. Honorary positions held by Tim Brown include President of the Australian Council of Deans of Science (2004-2006), President of the Statistical Society of Australia (1992-1994) and elected member of the International Statistical Institute.

PProfessor Asha Rao was Interim Director of AMSI from August to December of 2020 as she continued her role as Associate Dean, Mathematical Sciences at RMIT University. Asha Rao started her academic career as an Associate Lecturer at RMIT in 1992, rising through the ranks to become Professor in 2016. Asha is a trans-disciplinary researcher with a number of diverse research partnerships, ranging from mathematics and communication technologies to social media and architecture, resulting in highly ranked publications.

As the second Chair of the AMSI Board, Ron oversaw the remarkable period of expansion of AMSI’s funding and activities during the period from late 2011 to early 2019.

Ron’s skill in chairing meetings, negotiating difficulties, hands-on personal style, fearless advice, deep commitment and system-wide perspective were a tremendous asset to AMSI and its staff.  Ron understood the place AMSI holds in the public sphere, and ensured that AMSI is at the table when it should be.

Ron was made an Honorary Life Member of the Statistical Society of Australia in 1998 and won the CSIRO Medal for Lifetime Achievement in 2006. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, and was made a member of the Order of Australia in 2007.

Ron chaired the watershed 2010 review of AMSI with three distinguished international colleagues. It redefined AMSI’s relations with its members and set AMSI’s directions for the following period. As Chair, Ron then oversaw the implementation of the review. The relationship with the University of Melbourne as lead agent was clarified by the review and there was a refresh of AMSI’s Vision and Mission statements in early 2011. AMSI’s 2013 Strategy Day was a significant event identifying five key strategic pillars for the Institute and establishing marketing and communications as a key aspect of AMSI’s operations.

In recognition of this service and to other mathematical sciences organisations, AMSI’s Lead Agent, the University of Melbourne, conferred a DSc on Ron, to the acclaim of the Institute. Ron was recipient of the AMSI Distinguished Service Medal in 2019.

As Chair of the AMSI Board, Adelle has overseen the successful completion of major AMSI grant periods including the BHP Foundation’s five year ChooseMATHS program and the national expansion of AMSI’s PhD industry internship program through the Department of Education, Skills and Employment’s National Research Internships Program (NRIP) grant. Adelle worked closely with and supported AMSI Directors during this time to ensure the success of these nation-building activities.

Adelle’s strategic insight relating to the mathematical sciences, her deep knowledge and experience of governance, commitment and contribution have been vital in guiding AMSI’s direction and strategy in recent years. Some of her many achievements include a key role in negotiations with government on AMSI grants, the establishment of AMSI’s Audit and Risk sub-committee and a lead role in AMSI Joint Venture Agreement revisions.

Adelle was a recipient of the AMSI Medal for Distinguished Service in 2022.