Robert James Bell
Encyclopedia
Dr Rob is the host of the Australian children's television programme Scope where Dr Rob breaks down the science of subjects relevant to school-aged children. Dr Rob is employed at CSIRO as a science education officer.
, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1994, and going on to a complete an honours year in 1995, writing a thesis in superconductors. In 1996, he went directly into his PhD in the field of Material Chemistry, which he graduated in 2000. His PhD thesis was entitled "Investigation and characterisation of co-precipitation syntheses for the production of La1-xSrxMnO3" in the field of "Solid oxide fuel cells using Perovskite
and Ceramic
powders".
After 12 months traveling and work in Europe, he returned to Australia
and commenced work at the Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in the education children's division, where he visited schools & juvenile detention centres presenting scientific experiments & explanations for the audience.
Robert's enjoyment of chocolate was made evident while studying at UQ
. He joined the Chocolate appreciation society, and eventually made president. This included hosting a chocolate tasting each semester. The society at the time had a membership of 700.
A side task to his employment was appearances on the Television programme Totally Wild
and later, became the host of a new programme called "Scope".
In 2005, Robert gave the keynote address at the District conference of Coopers Plains Learning Community, where he presented the topic "Making Links with the Wider Community".
on Tuesdays in the scientific segment. Over the 2 years that he spent doing this segment, he developed his character of "Dr Rob".
Channel 10, Australia in conjunction with CSIRO developed a programme called Scope, initially airing on Mondays at 4pm. New episodes now air at 9am on Saturdays, and repeat episodes air at 8am on Thursdays as part of Toasted TV
.
Dr Rob has been described as a "Mad Scientist", as well as being "zany" & "mad capped". This is most likely to the very animated style of his TV personality.
Dr Rob's appearances on Scope are nearly always in his signature white lab coat. Even scuba diving in it one episode about marine life. This can also be seen in any publicity photograph of himself or Scope, as he was even wearing it when receiving the Japan prize in Tokyo.
to collect the prize on 28 October 2008.
to appear on the Rachael Ray Show, where he used a food theme to demonstrate some scientific principles, using ingredients such as corn starch
and hydrogen peroxide
. The Episode went to air on 16 Feb 2009 and can be viewed at on the "Rachel Ray Show" website.
He made a 2nd appearance on the 3 July 2009 performing some spectacular experiments for 4 July. This also can be viewed on the "Rachel Ray Show" website.
Robert also appeared as a member of the Brains Trust on episode 13 of The Einstein Factor, on ABC TV
in Australia
, which went to air on 3 May 2009.
Education
Dr Rob studied science at the University of QueenslandUniversity of Queensland
The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1994, and going on to a complete an honours year in 1995, writing a thesis in superconductors. In 1996, he went directly into his PhD in the field of Material Chemistry, which he graduated in 2000. His PhD thesis was entitled "Investigation and characterisation of co-precipitation syntheses for the production of La1-xSrxMnO3" in the field of "Solid oxide fuel cells using Perovskite
Perovskite
A perovskite structure is any material with the same type of crystal structure as calcium titanium oxide , known as the perovskite structure, or XIIA2+VIB4+X2−3 with the oxygen in the face centers. Perovskites take their name from this compound, which was first discovered in the Ural mountains of...
and Ceramic
Ceramic
A ceramic is an inorganic, nonmetallic solid prepared by the action of heat and subsequent cooling. Ceramic materials may have a crystalline or partly crystalline structure, or may be amorphous...
powders".
After 12 months traveling and work in Europe, he returned to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and commenced work at the Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in the education children's division, where he visited schools & juvenile detention centres presenting scientific experiments & explanations for the audience.
Major interests
Robert is keen soccer player, playing during his study years for the UQ Soccer Club. He continued to play after his graduation and went onto become the joint treasurer in 2001, and was sole treasurer from 2002 till 2007. In 2007, he was awarded the UQ Soccer Club service award for being the best keeper for the club, creation of the club alumni and the years served as club treasurer.Robert's enjoyment of chocolate was made evident while studying at UQ
University of Queensland
The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
. He joined the Chocolate appreciation society, and eventually made president. This included hosting a chocolate tasting each semester. The society at the time had a membership of 700.
Work
In 2001, Robert commenced work at the CSIRO Science Education Centre (CSIROSEC) in Brisbane, Australia as science education officer, where he was initially involved with the schools programme for Southern Queensland and Science on Saturdays.A side task to his employment was appearances on the Television programme Totally Wild
Totally Wild
Totally Wild is an Australian children's television series. It has been in production since 1992, airing on Network Ten since day one. It has the format of a news program, and does stories on topics such as Australia's native flora and fauna, action sports, the environment, science, and technology...
and later, became the host of a new programme called "Scope".
In 2005, Robert gave the keynote address at the District conference of Coopers Plains Learning Community, where he presented the topic "Making Links with the Wider Community".
Totally Wild
Robs appearances on Totally WildTotally Wild
Totally Wild is an Australian children's television series. It has been in production since 1992, airing on Network Ten since day one. It has the format of a news program, and does stories on topics such as Australia's native flora and fauna, action sports, the environment, science, and technology...
on Tuesdays in the scientific segment. Over the 2 years that he spent doing this segment, he developed his character of "Dr Rob".
Scope
Toasted TV
Toasted TV is the successor to the children's television program Cheez TV, and airs Monday to Saturday on Australia's Network Ten. The show is hosted by Kellyn Morris and Seamus Evans...
.
Dr Rob has been described as a "Mad Scientist", as well as being "zany" & "mad capped". This is most likely to the very animated style of his TV personality.
Dr Rob's appearances on Scope are nearly always in his signature white lab coat. Even scuba diving in it one episode about marine life. This can also be seen in any publicity photograph of himself or Scope, as he was even wearing it when receiving the Japan prize in Tokyo.
Awards
In 2006, Scope was nominated for "Most Outstanding Children's Program" in the 2006 TV Week Logie awards. Scope won the 2008 Japan Prize, an award for outstanding educational children's television, 2008 for best television series. Dr Rob flew to TokyoTokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
to collect the prize on 28 October 2008.
Other appearances
In February 2008, Dr Rob flew to New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to appear on the Rachael Ray Show, where he used a food theme to demonstrate some scientific principles, using ingredients such as corn starch
Cornstarch
Corn starch, cornstarch, cornflour or maize starch is the starch of the corn grain obtained from the endosperm of the corn kernel.-History:...
and hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is the simplest peroxide and an oxidizer. Hydrogen peroxide is a clear liquid, slightly more viscous than water. In dilute solution, it appears colorless. With its oxidizing properties, hydrogen peroxide is often used as a bleach or cleaning agent...
. The Episode went to air on 16 Feb 2009 and can be viewed at on the "Rachel Ray Show" website.
He made a 2nd appearance on the 3 July 2009 performing some spectacular experiments for 4 July. This also can be viewed on the "Rachel Ray Show" website.
Robert also appeared as a member of the Brains Trust on episode 13 of The Einstein Factor, on ABC TV
ABC Television
ABC Television is a service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation launched in 1956. As a public broadcasting broadcaster, the ABC provides four non-commercial channels within Australia, and a partially advertising-funded satellite channel overseas....
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, which went to air on 3 May 2009.