Staff spotlight: Peter Cooper

Peter is a Systems Engineering Manager and a highly respected member of the Micro-X team. When Peter is not deeply immersed in the Head CT project, you might find him writing novels! Learn more about Peter and his contribution to Micro-X below.

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What inspired you to join Micro-X, and what excites you most about working with cutting-edge X-ray technology?

I came to Micro-X from several years in the defence industry. Although I recognise the importance of defence technology, I always had a sense of wanting to do something more “positive” with my career, which I’ve found in my new role. I’m most excited about the potential for our technology to make a meaningful and positive impact on people’s lives.

Can you share a memorable project or achievement you've been part of at Micro-X, and what made it so impactful?

My current project aims to bring CT scanning technology to stroke victims within an hour of the onset of symptoms, giving them a vastly improved chance of full recovery. This impacts me because several decades ago my father had a mid-level stroke. He survived but was debilitated for the rest of his life. There’s nothing I’d rather be doing than working on a product that will mean fewer people have to live that experience.  

How does your role contribute to Micro-X's purpose to create revolutionary X-ray imaging that betters lives?

See the above! But it’s not just stroke imaging. The extension of our stroke imager – portable full body CT – will mean more people getting the right treatment in a shorter period of time. That could mean the difference between a quick stay in hospital and a lifetime of high-level care.  

What’s one thing about your job or the technology you work with that people might find surprising or unique?

How small the technology is. I think if you’re not working with this technology, it’s very difficult to grasp exactly how small our tubes are compared to the conventional version, particularly when you get to the mini-tube which can image at 100kV but has the diameter of a golf-ball.  Recently someone at a tradeshow looked at one of our early mini-tubes and asked if it was a scale model of the real thing. No, it is the real thing. And it works!

If I can sneak in a second answer I’d say the number of potential applications of this technology. There are so many uses for small scale X-ray and CT technology that we haven’t even got into yet. An example is using CT to guide robots in meat production plants, reducing waste, increasing throughput, and improving safety. We’ve done some initial feasibility work, but this is an area still to be explored. One of many.  

What’s a hobby or interest outside of work that you’re passionate about, and how does it influence your approach to your role at Micro-X?

One of my main hobbies is creative writing. I have short stories published in various magazines across Australia and the US, as well as 3 novels published by Scholastic in Australia and New Zealand. Writing and editing publication standard material requires enormous effort, determination, and attention to detail, not to mention creativity and imagination. I like to think I carry these qualities into my daily life at Micro-X.

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