As at 21/02/24

Emeritus Professor Mark Bush graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) with Honours and the University Medal from the University of Queensland in 1979 and then a PhD from the University of Sydney in 1983. His PhD project focused on the development of computational methods for modelling the flow of polymer solutions and melts pertaining to the design of dies for polymer extrusion processes. 

In 1984 he took up the post of Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Western Australia and was promoted to Professor in 1999. He served as Head of the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering; Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics; and Director of Animal Research Services across the University. 

His research interests include computational and experimental studies of physical phenomena in both fluid and solid systems. A key focus was biomedical materials, with particular emphasis on dental crown and natural tooth survival under various conditions of loading and wear. 

He received awards for both undergraduate teaching and research supervision and was included in the Engineers Australia list of “Top 100 most influential Engineers”, 2004, and was identified in the Engineers Australia’s “Engineering Elite” survey of 2003. 

He is a Chartered Professional Engineer (CPEng) and Honorary Fellow of Engineers Australia (Hon. FIEAust). He has served as President of the Western Division of that organisation and continues to support the organization in several roles, most notably as a member of the National Engineering Accreditation Board for a lengthy period and serving as its Chair until 2024.  Other areas of contribution include Engineering Heritage, Prizes and Awards, and WA Division operations in several capacities.

He has also served with several other organisations, including the Board of the Minerals Research Institute of WA (MRIWA); the NFP volunteer organisation Financial Toolbox Inc (as co-founder and Board member, working in the area of Family and Domestic Violence prevention - Yourtoolkit.com); Fire and Emergency Services in WA as a volunteer firefighter, Captain, and Fire School trainer; and in support of several volunteer community groups.

He was elected to the Fellowship of ATSE in 2009 and served on the WA Division Committee from that time to 2018, including a period as Chair.

Professor Mark Bush FTSE, Winthrop Professor Mechanical Engineering, University of Western Australia, honoured for his outstanding research in rheology and biomedical materials and his significant contributions to dental crown design.