Brett Cowan - New chief scientist at ESR

ESR's new chief scientist, Brett Cowan, has an honours degree in mechanical engineering as well as a medical degree. Last year, he graduated with an MBA from Auckland University - his youngest son also graduated with a BCom at the same ceremony. Rotorua-born, he was the first person in his extended family to get a degree. As an engineer he designed wind generation systems, kiwifruit windbreaks and instrumentation for the America's Cup yachts. After gaining a medical degree, he became the director of the Centre for Advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Cowan started work at ESR last month, and come to his new role after an extended overseas trip, which included a long-held goal to visit Chernobyl, where he toured the former nuclear power plant.