I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics. I completed my PhD in Physics at the University of Auckland and shortly thereafter left to do post-doctoral research at Jodrell Bank Observatory, The University of Manchester. After nearly five years of research, I worked for several years as a trainee patent attorney before returning to academia at Manchester Metropolitan University. As an Royal Society of New Zealand Rutherford Discovery Fellow, I returned to New Zealand to continue my research in astrophysics.

This has branched out now into investigations into space-based science including scientific payload development, mission concept design and mission operations. Research areas now include free-space optical communications, space situational awareness, atmospheric turbulence measurement, observatory design, plasma propulsion and low delta-v trajectory optimisation; adding to my experience in time-critical astronomy, data analysis, exoplanet discovery and characterisation research. 

I am a member of Te Punaha Atea Auckland Space Institute (https://space.auckland.ac.nz/), and an executive member of Te Ao Mārama – Centre for Fundamental Inquiry (https://www.teaomarama.auckland.ac.nz/) at the University of Auckland. I am also the current NZ Chair of the Committee for Space Research (COSPAR).  I have served as the International Astronomical Union National Organising Committee Chair for New Zealand (https://sites.google.com/oao.iau.org/iauoaonews/national-pages/NewZealand), the Science Lead for the Auckland Programme for Space Systems and  and I am a former President of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand (https://www.rasnz.org.nz/),

Qualifications:
PhD, The University of Auckland 2004

Media Keywords:
planet, astronomy, astrophysics, microlensing, search for planets, satellites, orbit