Page 13 - Materials Australia - April 2019

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active communication style, all issues can be overcome. Solving the technical problem is, in most cases, a comparably easy task to do. However, the management
of different interests can only be solved through the use of effective communication.
What does being a CMatP mean to you?
Being a CMatP immediately demonstrates to others that I am a recognised material science professional.
What gives you the most satisfaction at work?
I get the most satisfaction at work from learning and teaching. I love to immerse myself into a new topic or a new application that I have not dealt with before, and find a solution that makes a material last longer, or even just a solution that is better or cheaper.
After collecting all this type of knowledge and experience, I like to pass it onto colleagues, clients and students. If they appreciate this new puzzle piece of knowledge, that satisfies me the most.
For instance, I recently won some funding to develop wear resistant cutting blades for the sugar
cane industry. After reading and learning so much about harvesting of sugar cane, I am really keen to apply this knowledge and pass it on to my students who will help me with the lab work.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
“That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche
What are you optimistic about?
I am optimistic that if all nations and people work together, we can save the world from being destroyed by egoistic leaders and profit-oriented multi-billion-dollar companies. According to recent studies, we have 12 years left to
stop irreversible climate change that will ultimately end life on planet earth.
If we all act on climate change now, we can stop it and
maintain an environment that provides sufficient resources
for the next generations. I am optimistic that people are going to stand up against non-acting governments, self-centred leaders and environment-destroying enterprises.
What have been your greatest professional and personal achievements?
My greatest professional and personal achievement was to gain my PhD. Earning a PhD in a system where you are ‘allowed to do your PhD in your free time as a hobby’ was the toughest thing I ever did. It meant over two years without
a weekend and sacrificing most leave days to achieve my goal—it was hard.
On the positive side, without
my PhD I would not have been sponsored by the University
of South Australia—I may not even have been able to work in Australia. Living and working in Australia was on the top of my bucket list for many years. Now, being able to do exactly that, is certainly my greatest professional and personal achievement also. Sometimes you have to push hard to fulfil your dreams.
What are the top three things on your ‘bucket list’?
Next year, I am planning a trip along the west coast of Western Australia where I want to swim with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef. Then I really want to visit Angkor Wat in Cambodia—this
has been on my bucket list since
I watched the first Tomb Raider movie with Angelina Jolie. Number three is learning a new skill... maybe juggling or fencing.
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