Prof. Michael A. Garrett obtained his first degree at the University of Glasgow (1986) and went on to do a PhD at the University of Manchester, Jodrell Bank. In 1996, he moved to the Netherlands, taking up a senior position at the Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe (JIVE) in Dwingeloo, later becoming JIVE Director in 2003. During this period he spearheaded many technical developments in the field, including the introduction of the e-VLBI technique, connecting radio telescopes in Europe and beyond at Gbps data rates in real-time via national and trans-national research networks.

In 2007, he was appointed General & Scientific Director of ASTRON – the Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy. He has led ASTRON during a period of significant change – in particular, he has overseen the construction, commissioning and operational phase of the LOFAR telescope. During his tenure at ASTRON, he has played a major role in the International SKA Project, defining the initial Phase 1 concept and chairing the SKA Science and Engineering Committee (SSEC).

He currently serves as a company Director of the recently formed SKA Organisation. Garrett has published over 80 refereed scientific papers and is a full professor at the University of Leiden, teaching the Masters Radio Astronomy course. His scientific interests are diverse - ranging from studies of compact objects in our own galaxy, to investigations of high-redshift systems in the early Universe. He also has a significant interest in SETI (Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence) research.