# Alan E. McKinnon

> professor of applied computing at Lincoln University in New Zealand

**Wikidata**: [Q123598818](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123598818)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alan-e-mckinnon

## Summary
Alan E. McKinnon was a New Zealand computer scientist and electrical engineer who served as a professor of applied computing at Lincoln University before retiring in 2012. He earned his PhD from the University of Canterbury in 1973 and is noted for his doctoral work on computing calcium dynamics in man.

## Biography
- Born: Dunedin, New Zealand
- Nationality: New Zealand
- Education: Doctor of Philosophy (1973) from University of Canterbury
- Known for: Research on computing calcium dynamics in man
- Employer(s): Lincoln University (retired in 2012)
- Field(s): Computer science, electrical engineering

## Contributions
Alan E. McKinnon contributed to the field of applied computing at Lincoln University in New Zealand. His doctoral research at the University of Canterbury focused on computing calcium dynamics in man, completed in 1973. As a professor, he supervised doctoral students including Elin E. Abdul Rahim, who became a computer scientist in Malaysia. McKinnon's academic career spanned multiple decades before his retirement in 2012, after which he was granted professor emeritus status at Lincoln University in 2011. His work has contributed to the field of computational science, particularly in biological applications.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Alan E. McKinnon's academic background?
A: Alan E. McKinnon earned his Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Canterbury in 1973 with a thesis titled "Computing calcium dynamics in man." His doctoral advisors were Richard Bates and Walter Sidney Metcalf.

### Q: What was Alan E. McKinnon's primary academic position?
A: McKinnon served as a professor of applied computing at Lincoln University in New Zealand before retiring in 2012. He was later granted the title of professor emeritus in 2011.

### Q: Who did Alan E. McKinnon supervise academically?
A: McKinnon supervised at least one doctoral student, Elin E. Abdul Rahim, who became a computer scientist and ICT lecturer in Malaysia.

### Q: When did Alan E. McKinnon retire?
A: McKinnon retired from his position at Lincoln University in 2012, though he had been granted professor emeritus status in 2011.

## Why They Matter
Alan E. McKinnon mattered in the field of applied computing as an academic who bridged electrical engineering and computer science at Lincoln University. His doctoral research on computing calcium dynamics in man contributed to early computational approaches in biological systems. As a supervisor, he influenced future academics like Elin E. Abdul Rahim, who carried his legacy of computer science education to Malaysia. McKinnon's long-term service at Lincoln University helped establish the institution's presence in computational science, and his transition to professor emeritus demonstrated the university's commitment to recognizing long-serving academic contributors. Without his contributions, the computational science curriculum at Lincoln University and the academic pathway for students like Rahim might have followed different trajectories.

## Notable For
- First professor of applied computing at Lincoln University in New Zealand
- Research on computing calcium dynamics in man for his doctoral thesis (1973)
- Supervision of doctoral students including Elin E. Abdul Rahim
- Being granted professor emeritus status at Lincoln University in 2011
- Long service at Lincoln University before retirement in 2012

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Alan E. McKinnon was born in Dunedin, New Zealand. He pursued his higher education at the University of Canterbury, where he completed his Doctor of Philosophy in 1973. His doctoral thesis was titled "Computing calcium dynamics in man," and he was advised by Richard Bates and Walter Sidney Metcalf.

### Academic Career
McKinnon joined Lincoln University in New Zealand, where he established himself as a professor of applied computing. His dual roles in electrical engineering and computer science positioned him uniquely at the intersection of these disciplines. During his academic tenure, he actively engaged in supervising doctoral students, most notably Elin E. Abdul Rahim, who later became a computer scientist and ICT lecturer in Malaysia.

### Later Career
McKinnon retired from Lincoln University in 2012 after a distinguished career. Prior to his retirement, he was granted the title of professor emeritus in 2011, recognizing his significant contributions to the university. His academic work was recognized through his inclusion in the NZThesisProject, highlighting his place in New Zealand's academic heritage. It's important to note that McKinnon is distinct from Alan John McKinnon, a separate individual.

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## References

1. [Source](https://livingheritage.lincoln.ac.nz/nodes/view/3860)
2. [Source](https://www.lincoln.ac.nz/assets/Academic-Calendar.pdf)
3. [Source](http://hdl.handle.net/10092/6654)
4. [Source](https://hdl.handle.net/10182/5514)