Getting to know...Michael Brown
Name: Michael Brown
Title: Doctor
Faculty: Science
Campus: Clayton
How long have you worked at Monash? Seven years
Where did you work prior to starting at the University? My first postdoc was at the US National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) (2000-2004), and I then was a Henry Norris Russell Fellow at Princeton University (2004-2006). At NOAO I had excellent mentors and learned a great deal about the nuances of astronomical observing and data. Princeton is full of ambitious people and that environment really pushes you to produce the best science possible. Living in the south-west and north-east also gave me experiences of two very different versions of the USA.
What do you like best about your role? On the very good days, I find out something new about the universe in which we live.
Why did you choose your current career path? I’ve been interested in astrophysics since I was a small child. Voyager visiting the outer planets of the solar system and the first shuttle launches were an inspiration. I was also lucky that Rachel Webster founded the Melbourne Astrophysics group during my undergraduate studies.
First job? Sales assistant at Collins Booksellers.
Worst job? Packing boxes with school equipment at a warehouse during university holidays.
What project are you currently working on and what does it involve? I’m trying to recalibrate data from the WISE satellite. The WISE images are great but one of the camera filters isn’t performing as expected. I’m comparing spectra and WISE images of celestial objects to determine the exact wavelength of the light WISE is observing. Plenty of computer coding, searches for archival data and a bit of head scratching too.
What is your favourite place in the world and why? Melbourne. After spending years overseas it is good to be close to family and friends.
What is your favourite place to eat and why? Italian Waiters Club. A Melbourne institution that’s down an alleyway and up a flight of stairs. Great place for dinner with friends before a Comedy Festival show.
What is the best piece of advice you have received? Being careful is often more important than being clever.
Tell us something about yourself that your colleagues wouldn’t know. Monash University is central to my family’s story. My parents met at Monash in the 1960s and my sister studied here in the 1990s, so perhaps it isn’t surprising that I’ve ended up at Monash in the 21st century.