About Me

I grew up in rural Austria as an only child, and from an early age I always wanted to know more and understand things deeper. I was, what you might call an understanding junkie. The whole world was a riddle to be solved, be it figuring out how a Rubik’s cube works, why Mozart sounds a lot better than when I just played random notes on the piano, or how other people think. 

After high school in Austria, I moved to Cape Town, South Africa, initially in order to do volunteer work in a children’s home for 9 months. Well, 9 months turned into 11 years, in which I learned many valuable life lessons, and which formally started my life a s a mathematician.  I earned a B.Sc. and B.Sc.Hons. in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics from the University of Cape Town, and eventually a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics, where I researched the mathematical underpinnings that describe highly accelerated atomic nuclei just before a collision. My time in South Africa allowed me to experience a completely different way of living than what I am used to, and for that I am truly grateful. 

After finishing my Ph.D., I moved to Germany for a postdoctoral fellowship (a research position usually limited to 2-5 years) at the University of Tübingen. During this time, I discovered my passion for explaining mathematical concepts to an audience of non-experts. I dedicated most of my free time to giving popular science talks, workshops, and science slams (10-minute comedic talks about my research). This passion has never faltered and has in fact inspired me to change my life path:

I left academia to dedicate myself to the goal of helping others see the joy in math, and harvest the benefits math can provide.

• I wrote a book especially for people who consider themselves bad at math.
• I am a keynote speaker determined to inspire others to find and achieve their goals through adopting a mathematical mindset.
• I coach people to present their complex concepts in an inspiring and understandable way.

I am always working on several projects that are in line with my mission. To achieve my goals, I keep acquiring new skills. In particular I am a certified MBTI practitioner, which helps me meet people where they are at and take into account each person’s unique way of seeing the world.

I can’t wait to see what the future holds!