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60 seconds with … Dr Michael Wybrow

8 April 2009

Dr Michael Wybrow
 

Name: Dr Michael Wybrow
Title: Research Fellow
Dept: Clayton School of Information Technology

How long have you been with Monash University?

Five years. Four years as a doctoral student and a little over 12 months as a research employee.

You were recently awarded the Australasian Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation award for the best Computer Science PhD thesis.

My PhD research (on improving the usability of diagramming software using semi-automatic layout tools) was exciting due to its practical nature and potential to improve existing software. I was delighted to see the ideas and work receiving this recognition.

What challenges are ahead in your current role?

I face many of the same challenges as other early career researchers: diversifying my research, forging new collaborations, applying for grants and supervising students of my own. The immediate challenges are arranging research and licensing agreements for an overseas company who wish to use and extend some software I wrote for my PhD.

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

I particularly enjoy doing practical research – solving problems and creating solutions that will have obvious benefit to people. This has the nice side effect of making it much easier to describe or demonstrate the research to others. I especially enjoy giving live demonstrations of the work at conferences.

What is your favourite place in the world and why?

I love living on the Mornington Peninsula. Every time I travel, I appreciate how lucky we are to have beautiful beaches, coastline and national parks within easy reach. A favourite local hiking destination is Lake Tali Karng in Victoria's Alpine National Park.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

To follow my passions.

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

That I can dance. My wife Chelsea and I have been doing swing, latin and rock 'n' roll for a couple of years. We take classes and go out social dancing once or twice a week.

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