MIKE SAILOR

Explore & Discover with Mike Sailor:
Sensors

Interview with Mike Sailor:

Who and what were the most influential factors leading you to a career in science?

My mother, who let me do experiments even though she was scared I was going to kill myself, and who bought me a telescope when I was 14, even though we couldn't afford it. My high school chemistry teacher Richard Smith, who let me play with the chemicals in the lab. My high school physics teacher Ed Duncan, who let me take apart the broken laser. On my way to Harvey Mudd College he told me, "You are like a bomb; you go off in all directions but you don't do any real damage in any." That taught me the importance of finishing things. And lastly, my advisor at Harvey Mudd College J'nan Sellery, a professor of humanities. She gave me the skills and taught me the importance of written and visual communication. She also gave me my love for teaching.

What do you love about your job?

The people. The excitement of discovery.

What parts of your job could you do without?

The fundraising, and committees which aren't given the authority to make decisions.

What characteristics do you see as necessary for your position?

Creativity. Without ideas there would be nothing. It is also important to be having fun. Another important but not essential thing is the ability to multi-task.

Where do you look for ideas?

I usually get my best ideas at meetings where I am fairly bored. It allows my mind to wander and I can look like I am paying attention because I am concentrating on an idea I just had. I also love to serve on student exam committees outside of my field, because I learn something very unusual, and I hear about problems for which no one has a solution.

Which trends in scientific community are you pleased about?

The trend towards cross-disciplinary research.

Are there any such trends that concern you?

Three in particular. The increasing amount of time that must be spent to raise a decreasing level of research funds. Second, the move towards "patent or perish" at research universities. The last one is the perception (perhaps correct) that many young scientists have regarding careers in academia being too taxing on their time, their personal relationships, and their health.

What is your most important scientific goal for the future?

Top three: Discover a new fundamental property of matter. Make a widely used technique completely obsolete. Discover something that saves lives.

How would your family and friends describe you?

Hmm. I think they would say I am focused and intense and fun loving but relatively harmless.

How do you spend your free time?

I like to spend time cooking with and for friends. I like to work on wood (I make small pieces of furniture). I like to paint (in acrylics mostly). I like to walk on the beach with my girls. Lately I like to play with analog electronics circuits.

Where, in the world, is the best place you've been?

La Jolla, CA.

What are you reading at the moment, and what is your book tip?

Well if you want me to be honest it is a compilation of Zippy the Pinhead comics called Zippy's House of Fun, by Bill Griffith. I'm also reading The Art of Electronics by Horowitz and Hill, and On Being a Superpower by Sy Deitchman. Book tip: The Diamond Age, by Neal Stephenson.

Contact Mike Sailor at msailor@ucsd.edu