Dr Alan Finkel started his professional life as a neuroscientist at the ANU and based on his scientific skills and business acumen became founder and (for over 20 years) CEO and VP of R&D of Axon Instruments Inc. Alan was the R&D "brains" of the organisation and through his efforts the Axon single electrode voltage clamp used in electrophysiological studies became the gold standard achieving >60% worlwide market share. He is an eminent scientist/businessman; a role that is critical to Australia's industrial development.