Alex Fraser (scientist) facts for kids

Alex Fraser (born 1923 – died 2002) was a very important scientist who helped create computer models for studying how genes change in populations over time. His ideas have led to many new discoveries in genetic research.

His work in the 1950s and 1960s greatly influenced how we use computers to understand evolution. His famous paper from 1958, "Simulation of genetic systems by automatic digital computers," is still referenced by scientists today.

Early Life and Education

Alex Fraser was born in London, England. He spent most of his childhood in Hong Kong. He later studied at the University of New Zealand and then at the University of Edinburgh. After that, he moved to Sydney, Australia to work at the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation).

It was at the CSIRO that Fraser made his most important contributions to understanding evolution through computers.

First Computer Work

Fraser's earliest computer work was done on a machine called SILIAC. This computer was set up for the University of Sydney in 1956. The SILIAC was Australia's version of the ILLIAC computer, which was developed in the United States.

People knew the SILIAC was working well when they could hear a "rhythmic clicking of the relays inside it." This clicking sound meant the computer was correctly processing the steps of its program. Fraser started using it to simulate, or imitate, how genetic selection processes work.

Alex Fraser on TV

Alex Fraser also appeared on Australian television in its early days. He was part of a show called "Science in Close-Up." He left this show because censors would not allow a childbirth scene to be shown. While this kind of footage is common today, it was forbidden back then.

He also had a surprisingly popular show called "Doorway to Knowledge." This show explained complex science topics, even though it was broadcast at eleven o'clock in the morning! Through these shows, he became quite well-known and often appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.

Moving to the United States

In the 1960s, Fraser moved to the United States. He worked as a visiting professor at the University of California, Davis. In 1967, he became the Head of Biological Sciences at the University of Cincinnati.

Later Life and Recognition

In 1983, Fraser had a stroke. This made it difficult for him to talk normally and connect with his fellow scientists. This was especially sad because interest in computer models and simulations of evolution was just starting to grow in computer science.

In 1999, Alex Fraser received the 1999 IEEE Neural Networks Council Pioneer Award in Evolutionary Computation. This award recognized his groundbreaking work. He passed away on July 14, 2002, at the age of 78, due to complications from a heart attack.