Photo:

David Post

Favourite Thing: I really like the thrill of discovery – of finding out something that nobody else has ever known before.

My CV

School:

Gorokan High School, NSW, 1979-1984

University:

Science at Newcastle University, 1985-1989, then the Australian National University 1992-1996.

Work History:

I worked in Oregon, USA from 1997-1999, then Townsville, Qld 2000-2006. Since then I’ve been in Canberra

Employer:

CSIRO

Current Job:

I’m a hydrologist

Me and my work

I look at how climate change might impact water availability in the future.

I work with a group of about 20 people in the South Eastern Australian Climate Initiative (SEACI) where try to figure out what factors control the weather, how these may have changed due to global warming, and how they might change in the future. Then we see if we can predict how these changes might impact availability of water for towns and cities, irrigating crops, farm animals etc.

My Typical Day

Most days I talk with my co-workers either on the phone, in person, or via e-mail.

I spend a lot of time reading work that my colleagues have done, and advising them on where to go from here. I also use the research findings they give me to advise people working for state and federal government what it might mean for water. They then change their policies to ensure that the environment and people will have enough water in the future.

When I was in Townsville, I used to get to go to the field and install monitorig gear or collect samples. I’ll attach some photos.myimage1

I’m very lucky however to get to go to a lot of international conferences. Last month I went to Canmore, in Alberta, Canada, just outside Banff National Park. It was beautiful!

What I'd do with the money

Donate it to a local school for them to buy more science equipment.

I’d give it the a local school and ask them what they need to spend it on related to science as they know better than me what their needs are.

My Interview

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

happy, inquisitive, friendly

Who is your favourite singer or band?

What is the most fun thing you've done?

If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

What did you want to be after you left school?

A scientist.

Were you ever in trouble in at school?

Yes!

What's the best thing you've done as a scientist?

Tell us a joke.