This week we introduce another member of the Mendeley team: Business Executive Matthew “Matty” Green. He’s a relative newbie, having been with us for 3 months now, so we thought we’d get his thoughts on coming on board while they’re still fresh!

Why did you apply for this job at Mendeley?
There aren’t many small exciting companies around in London that combine a great product with huge potential, as well as the desire to change the world (of research) for the better. What more could you ask for?

And were things like you expected once you started working here?
I’d worked in tech companies before so knew roughly what to expect, though the office atmosphere was really much better! Had to get used to table football instead of table tennis…which I’m still struggling to adapt to.

Have things changed since you started?
The company is growing really fast so even in the 3 months since I started there have been more desks (and people) around me, so I guess that’s a good thing!

Do you have any pets?
No, but I’d love a Koala, or a Hippo. Logistically, both could be problematic – for different reasons.

Who would be invited to your perfect dinner party?
Marilyn Monroe, Scarlett Johansson, Angelina Jolie, Billy Connolly & Michael Palin…

What is the one website you can’t live without?
Not strictly a website, but Spotify gets me through a lot. The boring answer would be BBC

When you were growing up, what did you want to be?
A footballer…

If you could acquire one extra skill or talent, what would that be?
Can this be fictional as well? If so, flying.

What would you change about the world if you could change one thing?
Stop anything Reality TV related ever being created… Or man’s inhumanity to others…

What was the first record you ever bought?
Ace of Base – All that she wants

What music is on your iPod at the moment?
The Tallest Man on Earth

Favourite food/drink?
Steak & red wine…

Favourite film?
Goodfellas

Favourite place in the world?
Parque Tayrona in Colombia

Three things you would put in Room 101
Minor celebrities ‘famous’ for being on a reality-TV show; George Osbourne; Crying babies on public transport

Now for a serious one worthy of the Mendeley vision: If you could give unlimited funding and resources to one area of research, what would it be and why?
Astrophysics – just seems to be so much out there that we still have absolutely no idea about…

 

 

Welcome to a new series of posts directly “from the horse’s mouth” where the team here at Mendeley tells you a bit more about themselves.

As English author, poet and artist John Ruskin once said: “Tell me what you like and I’ll tell you what you are,” so we thought it would be nice to share with our community not only what life as a Mendeleyan is like, but also what makes them tick, their likes, dislikes and aspirations.

For our very first post, meet systems administrator James Rasell (also known as Tatooed James), who’s been with Mendeley for 4 months now and aspires to owning a black and white cat (“what’s not to like about them?”)

So, James, what’s the best thing about coming to work at Mendeley?
Free breakfast and the ability think freely!

Who would be invited to your perfect dinner party?
Jimi Hendrix, Gandhi, Gautama Buddah, David Attenborough, David Bowie, Tony Stark, Brian Cox

What is the one website you can’t live without?
sourceforge.net (source for finding, creating and publishing open source software for free)

When you were growing up, what did you want to be?
Astronaut or as it was known as a child…Space Man!

What was the first record you ever bought?
Offspring – Smash

Favourite food/drink?
dolsot bibimbap (a Korean Hot Stone Bowl with mixed rice, vegetables, meat and egg)

Favourite film?
Impossible to pick, but forced on the spot – The Matrix.

Favourite place in the world?
Koh Tao, Thailand…30m underwater scuba diving.

What book are you reading at the moment and why?
World War Z as I want to read it before seeing the film.

Favourite video game/hobby?
Listening to and playing music

If you could acquire one extra skill or talent, what would that be?
Teleportation or fluency in languages

If you could give unlimited funding and resources to one area of research, what would it be and why?
Astrophysics – As an earth and planetary science graduate it is something close to my heart and a subject which can have great resonance. It is said Christianity put science back by 500-1000 years; imagine what the world would be like if that was not the case (ignoring obviously the lack of renaissance art and so forth). I also believe a greater understanding of the universe and its working would aid most others subject fields and lead to a better world.