Featured Friend - Michael Brinkenhoff, MD

Michael Brinkenhoff, MD

Michael on a recent trip to Africa

 

Michael is the Founder and CEO of Athena Cosmetics, creator of the  RevitaLash line of cosmetic products. His company is a pioneer in the development of advanced lash, brow and hair enhancement products which were originally inspired and created to help his wife feel beautiful during her fight against breast cancer. Before founding Athena Cosmetics, Michael had a 30-year career in ophthalmology.

A new Friend to KITP in 2017, Michael is passionate about supporting young people in science and is a KITP Graduate Fellow sponsor! We chatted with Michael to find out more about what being a Friend of KITP means to him.

 

Q: What inspires you?

“When I was a young boy, I recall being told that “the black space in between the stars” goes on forever and ever, it’s infinite.  I remember  lying in bed and wondering ‘What on Earth does that mean?’”

 

Curiosity keeps you young.  For many decades, I’ve  been especially fascinated by the complexity of the DNA molecule, by the concept of “consciousness,” and by the question of how inanimate atomic atoms can come together to form self-aware (and curious) living creatures, like us!

Over the past 3.5+ billion years, DNA molecules have “orchestrated” an unbroken, yet evolving, chain of life leading now to creatures who are actually conscious of their own DNA blueprint, and who now even have the ability to manipulate it, as well as the ability to think about the ethical and evolutionary implications of such power. 

Moreover, this inert DNA molecule seems to manifests its own “will to persist,” fighting a long uphill battle against the forces of entropy, passing along vital information generation after generation.  I’m curious if there is any way to mathematically quantify that amazing process!

 

Q: How did you learn about KITP?

A: “About a year and a half ago, I decided to re-explore some of the curiosities that had first grabbed me in my youth.  I realized that I was at a point in my life where, if I didn’t do it now, I probably never would. 

I had heard of the KITP, but didn’t know much about it.  Initially I started planning to reach out to leading scientists - astronomers and others - at well-known institutions like Harvard, CalTech and MIT. I was making those plans when I told a close friend about my ambitions.   She said to me, ‘Oh, I know some world-renowned physics experts right here in town that you should talk to first!’ Very fortuitous!

My friend made the introduction for me to KITP, and once I understood what it was, I thought, ‘This is fantastic! An internationally recognized center for theoretical physics is right here in my backyard! I couldn’t be more lucky!’

So, here we are! I’m a Friend, and I love the fact that the Institute is here in Santa Barbara and has such credibility.”

 

Q: What has been the most impactful part of being a Friend of KITP?

A: “What stands out right now is the  opportunity to engage with top  scientists from around the world who visit the KITP every year. I love the chalk talks and just being amongst such interesting and thoughtful people. I also want to take advantage of the opportunity to meet scientists,  to dig deeper into my own big questions, and at the same time hear about the incredible things that they are thinking about and doing.  To me – it’s all about the opportunity to connect and learn.

The public lectures are fascinating, and it’s a reminder that theoretical physics is really about the big picture. Most of the folks of the world are focused on what is immediate. On the one hand [theoretical physics] may seem irrelevant – what effect does it have on my life, day-to-day? – yet, on the other hand it’s fundamental to what underlies everything in our universe.

The idea that KITP exists – you have some of the most intelligent human beings on the planet able to come to one place in an environment that is thoughtfully structured so that they can collaborate, communicate, live together and come up with ideas that nobody else has ever thought of – that could change the world. At the very least it could help us better understand the world.

It’s the value of the balance between practical and fundamental: many people are focused on things that at some point translate into industry, and practical things that make people’s lives longer, better, or healthier. But there is also huge value in just basic research into how things work. Because we’re curious creatures with a will to understand what’s around us. If we have any gift, that’s what it is.”

 

Q: What is one surprising fact that Friends may not know about you?

A: [Laughs] “There’s a lot they don’t know! I’ve got deep interests in many many things, all the way from philosophy, poetry and music - I feel like that’s a huge part of the human soul – to physics and biology.

I’m curious about everything. I think at the end of the day, probably the most important thing about staying young is to stay curious and learning. I’m just grateful to be at this point in life and wish I could live far into the future and explore all of these areas fully!

But, there is a point in life when you realize time is limited and you have to pick your priorities. There are a few very key priorities for me right now, and one of them really has to do with an interest in the concepts of theoretical physics, and the fact that KITP is right here is huge for me.

The more I’ve learned about KITP, the more unique it seems to me as an institution, compared to all the other very fine physics institutions at all the other very fine universities around the world. KITP is a model for facilitating scientific discovery through collaboration. I just count my lucky stars for being so close to it.”

Apart from his deep interest in science, music, and philosophy, Michael tells us he is also an avid tournament poker player and world-traveler!