Five Questions with Dr. Simon Hatcher
We are starting a new blog series here at the Hatching Ideas Lab so that you can get to know us! Who are we? Why are here? What makes us tick? In each post of the “Five Questions” series profiles a different staff member by asking the the same 5 questions.
The first post of this series features Hatching Ideas Lab founder, Dr. Simon Hatcher! Simon hails (most recently) from New Zealand, bringing with him expertise in non-pharmacological clinical trials and about one hundred Kiwi expressions we’ve never heard of.
What brought you to the area of mental health?
An interest in complexity, an opportunity to indulge my quest for social justice and a fascination with stories. Also, in retrospect that my grandmother suffered from severe depression and had electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). One of my childhood memories is being left outside the “mental hospital” while my parents visited her.
What work do you do in the lab and what has been your proudest moment so far?
Principal investigator. Every day seeing people in the lab flourish and develop their potential.
Would you rather be a tiny elephant or a giant hamster?
Do I get a giant hamster wheel?
What is the best (or worse) advice you’ve ever been given?
He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. (What is the most important thing in this world? It is people, it is people, it is people).
What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
Exercise, beer, cook (the EBC of healthy living…)