Tony Hooker

Associate Professor Tony Hooker

Associate Professor

School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


I am a renowned radiation biologist with expertise spanning biology, physics, chemistry, and geology. Recognized globally, I consult for prestigious organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency and serve as the Australian representative for the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and Low-Dose Research Coordination Group. I contribute expertise to national and international radiation committees and provide invaluable radiation health advice to governments, industries, and the public. My extensive experience includes serving as an expert witness for inquiries such as the SA Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission and the NFCRC Consultation and Response Agency. I have been collaborating with universities worldwide and have secured numerous competitive grants, including from ARC, Defence, and industry sources. After over a decade of experience in low-dose radiobiology, I returned to academia leading the Centre for Radiation Research, Education, and Innovation (CRREI) at the University of Adelaide since 2019.

GRANTS RECEIVED (Total = $6,723,821)

2016     Dixon DL, Boreham D, Hooker A.M. Investigation of the Immunological Mechanisms of Ultra-Low and Low Dose Radiation. $536,000. Collaborative research program between the Northern Ontario School of medicine (Ontario, Canada), Bruce Power (Ontario, Canada) and Flinders University, South Australia.

2014     Grano, S.R., Pring, A.O., Hooker, A.M., Spooner, N.A., D.J., Ngothai, Y.M., Ashman, P.J., Ebendorff-Heidepriem, H., Brugger, J., Wilson, S.A., Hayes, P.C., Peng, Y., Vaughan, J.W., Jak, E., Ehrig, K.J., Simons, S.J. ARC Research Hub for the Australian Copper-Uranium. $5,053,234

2007     Hooker, A.M. and Sykes, P.J. The use of whole body low dose X-radiation to reduce tumorigenicity in a murine prostate model. Flinders University Seeding Grant. $21,012.

2007     Hooker, A.M. and Sykes, P.J. Protection from chromosomal inversions by chemical radioprotectors. Flinders Medical Centre Foundation. $11,000.

2007     Hooker, A.M. Cancer Council of SA Travel Grant. $2,750.

2006     Sykes, P.J. and Hooker, A.M. The measurement of genetic damage (DNA inversions) in response to radiation. Australian Institute for Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE). $41,000.

2006     Hooker, A.M. Cancer Council of SA Travel Grant. $2,750.

2005     Sykes, P.J. and Hooker, A.M. Effect of low dose-rate radiation on somatic intrachromosomal recombination. Australian Institute for Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE). $24,100.

2005     Sykes, P.J. and Hooker, A.M. Mechanism for non-linear mutation dose response to low dose and ultra-low doses of LET radiation. US Department of Energy. US$ 1,050,000.

2005     Hooker. A.M and Sykes, P.J. Treatment of pKZ1 mice with radioprotectors. Flinders Medical Centre Foundation. $10,000.

2005     Bryan, D-L. and Hooker, A.M. Breathing in chronic Heart failure: Is there novel pulmonary compensation? Flinders Institute for Health and Medical Research CRG. $3,000.

2003     Hooker, A.M. Australian Institute for Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE) Young Investigator Travel Award. $500 + return airfare to Brisbane.

2003     Hooker, A.M.  Cancer Council of SA Travel Grant. $2,000.

2001     Hooker, A.M.  Anti-Cancer Foundation of SA Travel Grant. $225.

1999     Sykes, P.J. and Hooker, A.M. The role of somatic intrachromosomal recombination in mutation and cancer in a transgenic mouse model.  Flinders University Research Budget. $2,250.

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2023 Co-Supervisor Quantification of radionuclide geo-sequestration in minerals surrounding nuclear waste storage facilities Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jason Alexander Charlwood
    2023 Co-Supervisor Plastic scintillator design and optimisation for UAV borne gamma radiation surveys Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Aithan Roufos
    2021 Co-Supervisor Drone borne Gamma radiation detection for stand-off high resolution surveying of radionuclide concentrations Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Timothy Doughney
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2011 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Scavenging of Uranium in Experimental and Natural Samples Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Kan Li
  • Committee Memberships

    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2021 - ongoing Member Advisory Group, Operating in CBRN Environments STaR Shot program Defence Science and Technology Group Australia
    2019 - ongoing Member ACPSEM Radiation Protection Specialty Group Leadership ACPSEM Radiation Australia
    2018 - 2019 Representative SA Jurisdictional representative, Australian National Radiation Health Committee Australian National Radiation Health Committee Australia
    2015 - 2019 Member Australian and New Zealand Counter Terrorism Committee (ANZCTC) CBRNe Training Advisory Group Australian and New Zealand Counter Terrorism Committee (ANZCTC) Australia
    2015 - ongoing Member ANZCTC CBRNe Training Advisory Group Attorney Generals Department Australia
    2015 - 2017 President Australasian Radiation Protection Society Australasian Radiation Protection Society Australia
    2014 - ongoing Representative Australian representative (1 of 4) International Radiation Protection Association Australia
    2014 - 2018 Member IRPA 14 International Congress Program Committee, IRPA 14 Cape Town South Africa
    2013 - ongoing Representative Asian and Oceanic Radiation Protection Association - Australia
    2013 - ongoing Member International Academic Advisors, Asian and Oceanic Radiation Protection Association - -
    2013 - ongoing Member Asian and Oceanic Radiation Protection Association Asian and Oceanic Radiation Protection Association Australia
    2013 - 2015 President Australasian Radiation Protection Society - -
    2013 - 2015 President Australasian Radiation Protection Society Australasian Radiation Protection Society Australia
    2013 - ongoing Member International Academic Advisors, Asian and Oceanic Radiation Protection Association International Academic Advisors, Asian and Oceanic Radiation Protection Association Australia
    2009 - ongoing Advisory Board Member State (SA) CBRN Emergency Management Committee - Australia
    2009 - ongoing Advisory Board Member State (SA) CBRN Emergency Management Scientific and Training Committee - -
    2006 - ongoing Member Australasian Radiation Protection Society - Australia
  • Memberships

    Date Role Membership Country
    2020 - ongoing Member South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association Australia
    2015 - ongoing Member Radiation Research Society United States
    2011 - ongoing Member Australasian College of Physcial Scientists and Engineers in Medicine -
    2006 - ongoing Member Australasian Radiation Protection Society -
  • Review, Assessment, Editorial and Advice

    Date Title Type Institution Country
    2019 - ongoing Journal of Radiation Protection and Research Editorial Editorial Board Member -
    2002 - ongoing Australasian Physical & Engineering Sciences in Medicine Peer Review Australasian Physical & Engineering Sciences in Medicine -
    2002 - ongoing Radiation Protection in Australasia Peer Review Radiation Protection in Australasia -
    2002 - ongoing International Journal of Radiation Biology Peer Review International Journal of Radiation Biology -
    2002 - ongoing European Journal of Medical Physics Peer Review European Journal of Medical Physics -
  • Position: Associate Professor
  • Phone: 83132326
  • Email: tony.hooker@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: The Braggs, floor 4
  • Org Unit: School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences

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