Prof. Frederick ( Fred ) Menk

Biography

o Professor of Physics, University of Newcastle (UoN); 2008 –

o Deputy Head (i.e. Deputy Executive Dean), Faculty of Science & IT, UoN; 2007 – end 2012

o Acting Deputy Head of Faculty; 2005 – 2006

o Assistant Dean (International), Faculty of Science & IT; 2006

o Assistant Dean (Teaching and Learning), Faculty of Science & IT; 2003 – 2006

o Deputy Head, School of Mathematical and Physical Science, UoN; 2002 – 2003

o Visiting Research Fellow, University of Alberta; 2002 onward

o Visiting Research Fellow, British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge; 2001 onward

o Visiting Research Fellow, University of York, U.K.; 2001, 1997

o Wintering expeditioner, Australian Antarctic Division; 1982/82

o One book, 4 book chapters, 2 encyclopaedia articles and over 110 refereed publications in space physics and medical physics; h-index = 20.

o 33 keynote/invited and >200 contributed papers at international conferences.

o Awarded over $7.0M in competitive grants for space physics projects.

o Supervised/ing 20 PhD/MSc students in space physics, 6 in medical radiation physics, 1 in industrial physics; one third are women. 3 nominations for supervisor of the year.

o Reviewed/revised all taught programs in the Faculty and implemented many initiatives to improve teaching and learning and student outcomes.

Qualifications

• PhD, La Trobe University, 1985
• Bachelor of Science (Honours), La Trobe University, 1978

Research

Research keywords

• geophysics
• ionospheric physics
• magnetohydrodynamics
• magnetospheric physics
• radiation oncology

Research expertise

Extensive experience in measurement, analysis and modelling of variations in the geomagnetic field driven by solar perturbations, and measured with ground magnetometers, over the horizon radars, and spacecraft. Serve on several international committees and have convened many international symposia. Referee for all major journals and invited expert reviewer for NASA, South African Science Foundation, National Environmental Research Council, UK, etc.

Collaboration

Studied ULF plasma waves for >25 years using ground magnetometers, radio sounders, spacecraft and mathematical modeling, with >100 publications on this topic. Main achievements include:

· Development of cross-phase technique to monitor field line resonances. Acknowledged as a ma-jor tool and used by many other groups, resulting in the establishment of extensive magnetometer arrays worldwide. Symposia have been dedicated to this topic alone at major international confer-ences (eg. Symposium GAIII 12 at IAGA Toulouse, 2005). My use of this technique to compare plasmaspheric plasma density with models showed the necessity to include a realistic ionosphere.

· First use of FLRs to monitor temporal and spatial variations in magnetospheric plasma density, especially plasmapause. Hence, estimation of mass loading and plasma composition by comparing ULF mass densities with VLF electron densities and spacecraft data. This technique now used by others (eg. Alberta group). Verified formation of oxygen torus near the plasmapause after storms.

· Detailed studies of sources and propagation of Pc3-4 pulsations at low latitudes including first studies of properties of FLRs and cavity modes at these latitudes. This remains the definitive work.

· Measurements of Pc3-4 propagation characteristics at high latitudes, demonstrating that solar wind generated waves propagate long distances through the outer magnetosphere. This has stimu-lated modelling and HF radar studies on properties of FLR harmonics at high latitudes.

· Mapping topology of outer magnetosphere using long period ULF waves and Pc1-2 pulsations. This is now an important tool for identifying cusp and boundary layers, formed the basis for new investigations of Pc1-2 source regions (eg. by Augsberg College, Minnesota, group), and stimulated modelling of Pc1-2 wave effects on HF radar spectra.

· Definitive explanation (to date) of sources and propagation of Pi2 pulsations to low latitudes.

· First report that everyday low latitude ULF waves drive ionospheric perturbations, and studies of FLR signatures in F-region and in HF radar echoes. This has opened up new avenue of investiga-tions of perturbations in HF over-the-horizon radar signals, with interest from Defence community.

· CI of modelling program to explain effects of ULF waves on ionospheric plasma and HF radars. Development of most realistic model to date of ULF wave effects in ionosphere.

· NewMag Project manager for development of fluxgate magnetometer experiment on the FedSat microsatellite, launched Dec 2002 and operational until FedSat was turned off in 2007.

Fields of Research

Centres and Groups

Group

Memberships

Committee/Associations (relevant to research).

• Chair - ULF Waves Division, International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy, 1992-94

National & International Standards Committees.

• Scientific Discipline Representative - International Scientific Committee on Solar-Terrestrial Physics, 2004-2008

---

Administrative

Administrative expertise

Have served as Deputy Head, School of Mathematical and Physical Science, Assistant Dean (Teaching and Learning), Assistant Dean (International). Presently Deputy Head, Faculty of Science and Information Technology. Served on very many committees etc.

---

Teaching

Teaching keywords

• astrophysics
• environmental physics
• nuclear physics
• physics
• plasma physics

Teaching expertise

Have taught all topics in Physics at 1000 level, and many topics at 2000 and 3000 level, with emphasis on nuclear physics, environmental physics, electronics, and electromagnetism. Taught specialized courses at 4000 level in astrophysics, plasma physics, ionospheric physics.

Teaching interests

• Taught all physics topics at 1000 level; specialized in teaching of environmental physics, nuclear physics, electromagnetism, electronics, plasma physics, astrophysics and space physics at higher levels
• Presented 4 community programs and adult education courses on astronomy

Programs

• Bachelor of Science (Physics major)