Cool Space Jobs - Solar Physicist

IO: Well, at least you can go to the beach after a hard day in the office.

Talking of the office, does it ever get boring or routine to be there every day? Or is it all worth it, as you are studying a topic you really enjoy?

MB: There may be times when some people consider things "dull" or "boring", but there is such variation of things going on in my day. There's always something else I can do if I get annoyed at something I'm working on. I can even work from home. I do everything from analyzing data to publishing papers. There are also plenty of administrative things that need doing too.

It's certainly all worth it -- even if I rarely have time to go to the beach! Although there can be a high volume of work, it rarely phases me as my job is also my hobby. It's awesome to be in this position. I feel very lucky!

IO: Sounds like the ideal situation to be in! So was this always your plan? Have you fulfilled a lifelong dream to be a solar physicist?

MB: I was very much inspired by my school physics teacher Dr. Jones. I heard stories from him how interesting his research life had been and I decided that I had to work hard and I had to get a Ph.D. to do the same thing. At the time, my interests were in physics and music, then with cosmology, and then later with solar/space physics.

IO: It sounds like a dream come true. So what's the next big thing you'd like to do? Perhaps make a big discovery? Become the first solar physicist to get a Nobel Prize?

MB: Isn't that every researcher's dream -- to win the Nobel Prize?

I think, I'd like to move into some teaching soon, and then that will give me a good grounding for a more "permanent" position. I'd also like to lead my own research group some day.

IO: Sounds like a big plan! But so far, what is your biggest success? Was it a particular paper, conference or discovery?

MB: I would have to say completing my Ph.D. It took serious amounts of hard work through the last 18 months of my undergraduate degree to get into a Ph.D. and then over three and a half years of even more serious hard work to complete it! That's what I would consider my biggest single achievement.

IO: Well, it sounds like you have many more achievements ahead of you!

Now, finally, if you met a budding 15-year old excited about a career in space research, what three tips would you give him/her?

MB: 1. Your dreams don't have to be set in stone. Dreams should be allowed to change along the way as you develop with age.

2. Never let anyone tell you that you can't do something, only you know what you're capable of achieving.

3. And I guess my last words are that you should always try to live your dream and don't give up until you get it!

4. Of course, good luck and have a great time along the way -- I certainly am (and yes I know that's really four, but what can I say, I'm a scientist and we always want more)!

IO: Sounds good to me! I think everyone can learn from those three (four!).

Thank you Mario so much for taking the time to chat to me. Now I can let you get back to those twinkling stars and wiggling comet tails!

Good luck, and be sure to spend some time down on the beach.

MB: Thank you too Ian, I appreciate you spending the time to interview me. Best wishes!

Article posted May 29, 2009.

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