Richard McMahon is an astronomer who peers into the distant Universe, studying objects formed around a few hundred million years after the Big Bang before the Sun and Solar System formed. He hunts for giant black holes in the hearts of bright "quasars" and young galaxies. By understanding how these giant black holes grow, he hopes to unravel the mysteries of their formation and how they shaped the Universe as we know it. He also played a key role in a groundbreaking unexpected discovery - measuring the accelerating expansion of the Universe, showing that galaxies are rushing apart faster and faster. Before this discovery, astronomers expected that the expansion rate to be slowing down due to the gravity of all the material in the Universe.

A common theme of his research is the development of data intensive observational techniques that exploit technological developments to explore the boundaries of the observable distant Universe. McMahon works closely with other researchers and engineers on emerging and cutting edge technology. They try to ensure that they minimise the use of unnecessary bleeding edge technology. McMahon makes progress by learning from his own mistakes and the mistakes and experience of both younger and older colleagues, who generously support him on his journey of discovery.