Meet the Planet Four Team: Chris Lintott
Today we have the next installment of our Meet the Planet Four Team series, featuring Chris Lintott, Principal Investigator (PI) of the Zooniverse and PI of Galaxy Zoo.
Name: Chris Lintott
What is your current position and where/institution?
On a train somewhere in Hampshire, on my way back to Oxford where I’m a researcher in the department of physics & a research fellow at New College.
Where are you originally from/where did you grow up?
Torbay, South Devon.
What are your research interests/what do you work on?
Answering email, with a side line in galaxy evolution and formation and a smattering of exoplanet stuff.
In 3 lines explain your PhD thesis?
Paying attention to chemistry helps us understand star formation, but the chemistry is very sensitive to the environment in which the stars are forming. Also, I went to Hawaii and thought about galaxies.
In 3 lines explain what you do as part of the Zooniverse team?
Answer email. As principle investigator, I try to keep everyone in line and write the grant proposals that keep the whole thing running.
What was your role in Planet Four?
It was a conversation with Candy Hansen (while filming for the BBC) that got the project rolling. I’ve also given advice based on our existing projects.
Why are you interested in Mars?
I like all the ways it isn’t Earthlike – it’s such a strange and interesting place. So like home, and yet so different.
What is your favorite movie?
I just re watched Fargo and am a big Coen brothers fan in general.
What is your favorite book?
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers
What is the song you currently can’t get out of your head?
Bellowhead, Gosport Nancy
What three albums would you bring with you to a desert island?
As much of the Ring cycle as I’m allowed.
Bach cello suites (the Yo-Yo Ma version)
Screamadelica
Favorite cocktail or beverage?
Sazerac, and Clos Floridene. Not together.
Planet Four Blog 
It is nice to get to know Chris. Cheers from Istanbu, Turkey.