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60 seconds with … Andy Tomkins

12 November 2008

Andy Tomkins

Name: Andy Tomkins
Org Unit: Faculty of Science
Title: Doctor
Dept: School of Geosciences

How long have you been with Monash University?

A little over three years.

Prior to working at Monash, where were you located and what was your role?

I was a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Calgary in Canada.

What challenges are ahead in your current role?

The main challenge will be to manage my transition from working as a full-time research academic to becoming a lecturer where I have to balance teaching and research.

What is it about your job that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?

I really enjoy the excitement that comes with figuring out a difficult research problem, particularly when this involves a collaborative effort because then you get to share it with somebody.

What is your most recent success?

I recently won the SEG Waldemar Lindgren Award for 2008. This is a top-level international award, given by the Society of Economic Geologists, which is the world's largest and most prestigious learned society for ore deposit research. The award is presented annually to a young scientist whose published research, before the age of 35, represents an outstanding contribution to the field of economic geology.

What is your favourite place in the world and why?

Hmm… good question. Perhaps the Everest region in Nepal because the scale of the mountains just blows you away -- it really gets you thinking as a geologist. Perhaps Australia's remote deserts in spring or autumn because the open vastness, the pristine air and the beautiful clear skies give you such a liberating feeling after being in the big cities.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

Work related; presentations are like performances, you're essentially an actor up there, bring out the excitement. Fun related; pull that rip cord before you hit the ground!

What is something about yourself that most of your colleagues wouldn't know?

I've done 58 skydiving jumps, love skiing double black diamond runs, enjoy cave and wreck scuba diving, have rock climbed for many years, survived in the Kimberleys for a week without food, water or shelter, yet I still like vegging out in front of the TV sometimes.

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