Peter Annan

Alexander Peter Annan is an engineer whose research focuses on near-surface geophysics. He has made significant contributions to the development of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) technology. Annan is the CEO of Sensors & Software, a company he founded to commercialize GPR technology. He has been working on the development of GPR since the 1970s and was one of the lead researchers on the surface electrical properties experiment conducted on the Moon during the Apollo 17 mission.

Early life and education Annan graduated from University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in engineering science in 1968 and a Master of Science degree in geophysics in 1970.

In 1974, he earned his PhD in engineering science from Memorial University of Newfoundland. In his thesis, The Equivalent Source Method for Electromagnetic Scattering Analysis and Its Geophysical Application, Annan developed the PLATE program used in transient electromagnetics to mathematically model the electromagnetic response of finite thin conducting plates.

Career After earning his PhD, Annan began working as a research scientist at the Geological Survey of Canada. He then served as chief geophysicist at Barringer Research and senior engineering geophysicist at Golder Associates. He subsequently served on the board of directors of the Waterloo Centre for Groundwater Research, CRESTech, and the Ontario Centres of Excellence.

In 1988, Annan formed the multiVIEW Geoservices, a company focused on carrying engineering and urban geophysical surveys. The company grew rapidly after 2000 and primarily services the Subsurface Utility Engineering market in Ontario, Canada.

In 1989, Annan commercialized GPR systems by forming Sensors & Software, a supplier of equipment for underground or subsurface surveying.

He was made a Member of the Order of Canada on December 31, 2025.

Selected publications