My group studies photoactivation and photochemistry of ions – this includes ion/radical reactions and photodissociation spectroscopy. We combine ion trap mass spectrometry with tunable UV–Vis lasers to better understand photostability and photodissociation of protonated chromophores (including the effect of protonation isomers). We also studying ion/radical reactions with neutral molecules to better understand and predict radical chemistry relevant to atmospheric, combustion and extra-terrestrial gas-phase chemistry. I don't recall any epiphany – but I was attracted to instrumentation and lasers. I was also drawn to fundamental chemistry, and mass spectrometry is often deployed in conjunction with lasers for the study of gas-phase spectroscopy and kinetics. I was working on a liquid-beams project for my Honours year at the University of Adelaide (with Mark Buntine and Greg Metha) – the idea was that we would fire an IR laser at the liquid beam in the vacuum chamber to drive molecules out of the water beam to the gas-phase where they were to be ionised by a UV laser. Ions were then detected using TOF-MS. We got it to work! It was a great introduction to research. The IR laser pulse was generated by a Nd:YAG pulse directed through a Raman shifter – in this case a gas cell containing about 100 psi H2 gas – and it generated a huge range of Raman “shifted” wavelengths into the visible, UV and IR. I remember directing the output of the shifter through a dispersion prism and across the room onto the wall. I could see scores of vibrational Stokes and Anti-Stokes lines that separated into discrete rotationally resolved bands when given enough distance to spread out. I was nerding-out big time. Gosh – I don't think I can answer this question. I think you need to extract pathological excitement and satisfaction from your research – it's the fuel. My PhD supervisor, Evan Bieske (University Melbourne), deserves some blame for the way I turned out. And I've been lucky to have other great people around me, including when I was at UC Berkeley/LBNL (Steve Leone, David Osborn, Craig Taatjes, Kevin Wilson). When I started at Wollongong I was ensconced in a supportive, collegial School of Chemistry. Steve Blanksby (now at QUT) and I hit off a great collaboration and friendship that was essential to my survival. Develop skills – real, technical skills – and become experts. I think this is key to a satisfying career (regardless of what path you ultimately take). I would say laser photodissociation, naturally. Over the next decade or so, I'm predicting the laser photoactivation will become as ubiquitous as CID for the fragmentation and general torture of ions. It's going to be exciting times. One tricky thing will be how the fundamental areas remain well-funded. As an academic, I see clearly how modern mass spectrometry is built on the fundamental advances of past researchers. I hope we don't forget how this translation happens and we continue to patiently support fundamental, discovery-driven, science so that in years to come new tools will come online. There are no short-cuts in this innovation pipeline. I am keen on mountain biking. Wollongong has some pretty good trails and I find it cleansing for my head to get out into the hills and ride (avoiding trees). I get the road bike out a couple of times a week too. Take a long, restorative holiday with my family. I'd also get myself back in the lab more and do some solid tinkering. My partner – my wife. She is so kind and unjudgmental.