Matthew Forbes is a Hydrogeochemist based in our Brisbane office.

1. What does a typical day look like for you?

A normal workday involves getting up to walk the dog, drinking some coffee, and then riding my bike to work. However, during the floods, my bike was stolen and the office was flooded so that is not so normal now. Nowadays, I like to get into the water so I try to swim at lunchtime at Musgrave Park at least once a week. After work, more dog walking, dinner, a beer, and some TV. On weekends I like to head to the beach or the pool or head to Bunnings and buy useless things for my herb and veggie garden.

2. What has been the most fulfilling part about your role?

Using my previous experiences, which are outside the consulting realm, to help provide solid scientific answers to project questions.

3. What is something you find challenging about your role?

Learning about the mindset of industry clients, in terms of understanding what they really want and how much they are willing to pay to get it.

4. What is your biggest achievement?

The first is successfully running a multi-million biogeochemical laboratory at Stanford University. The second is publishing a paper on the global carbon cycle that now has been cited in over 500 subsequent publications.

5. What advice would you give someone pursuing a career in your field?

Learn to plan, because as they say, failing to plan is planning to fail. Be happy but humble about your professional achievements.

6. What qualities do you think make a good scientist?

Experience makes a good scientist, a good geoscientist, and overall a good consultant. I have been very lucky over the last 20 years to work in the fields of hydrogeology, geomorphology, quaternary climate science, oceanography, and soil science across state government, CSRIO, commercial start-ups, world-leading university research institutions, national research centres, and now industries with KCB. All these experiences make me the professional I am now and gave me the skills I bring to KCB.

7. What is your favourite thing about working at KCB?

Diversity of the tasks and challenges and the places that you go to, that you would have not never otherwise.