"Equipped with [our] five senses, [we] explore the universe around [us] and call the adventure Science."
— Edwin Hubble
On this page, you can learn a bit more about my personal background, what initially led me to become an astronomer, and what continues to inspire me in everyday life.
Growing up in Austria, I developed an early fascination with science, aerospace engineering and the cosmos. During my secondary school years I attended extracurricular classes in astronomy, which fuelled my curiosity and lead me to enrol in the Bachelor's degree in Technical Physics at TU Wien. Although I enjoyed learning about topics such as quantum mechanics and condensed matter physics, I felt like I was always drawn towards the largest scales. And so I used every opportunity I got to enrol in elective courses related to astronomy, which culminated in a Bachelor's thesis in planetary astrophysics.
During my undergraduate degree, I was also fortunate enough to be awarded an Erasmus+ scholarship to study a semester at the University of Loughborough in the UK. As surprising as it may sound, I count my time in England among the most life-changing experiences in so far. Not only did I experience what it is like to live abroad, but I also met some amazing people from various academic and cultural backgrounds - some of which remain to be my closest friends to this day. England opened my eyes to the world outside my home country and I believe that without this experience, I likely would not have had the necessary courage to apply for a Master's degree at the University of Bologna.
An exchange semester is one thing, but moving to a different country for more than two years felt like a different level of commitment. Besides not knowing any Italian, I had no idea whether I was really cut out for a career in Astrophysics. My first semester was tough and consisted of many lectures, Italian classes and late night study sessions, some of them followed by an Aperol.
Life in Italy was almost too good to be true. I got to live in the beautiful city of Bologna, engage with a vibrant international community, eat incredible food, all while studying astronomy at the oldest university in the world. Apart from my Master's degree, I gained an appreciation for how important the people around you are in shaping your experience in a foreign environment. On top of that, my experience in Italy showed me that I can adapt and flourish in a foreign environment to the extent that I call Bologna my second home.
Exactly two days after my graduation in October 2025 the big news arrived that I got accepted for a PhD in Astronomy at Universidad de Chile. I had applied there while I was working on my thesis and, anticipating the graduation, I decided that studying in Chile would allow me to work at the pulse of modern observational astronomy.
After a brief existential crisis, I decided to accept the offer and I moved to Santiago, where I have been living since April 2026. Studying astronomy in Chile is both a pleasure and a privilege, and I cannot imagine a better place to be for my PhD than right here at Calán Observatory.
When I am not working, I try to keep my feet firmly planted on Earth - or sometimes completely off it. I love being active outdoors and stay true to my roots, whether that means skiing/snowboarding in winter or hiking in summer. I also love exploring marine ecosystems while scuba diving and once dared to jump out of a plane. In recent years I've also come to enjoy surfing and aim to continue practicing during my time here in Chile. On quieter days, I enjoy sketching or journalling in my notebook, reading a good book, or playing some guitar.
More than anything, these adventures are about the people I share them with. I am incredibly happy and grateful for my friends who have always kept me grounded and supported me, and who filled my time abroad with joy. My journey, and the person I am today, would not be the same without them.
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."
— Carl Sagan
Astronomy is a truly international science without borders. Over the years, I have been lucky enough to travel to many different countries and discover new cultures, landscapes, and perspectives. I hope to keep expanding this list as my research takes me to new places around the world.
Throughout my academic journey, I've had the pleasure to meet wonderful people and live in beautiful places. Being the nostalgic person that I am, I enjoy looking at old pictures or listening to music that takes me back in time. If you can look back at the past and feel gratitude and joy, it means you were doing something right.
I personally believe that a good book changes the way you think about a certain topic by the time you close it. While my day-to-day life centres on astronomy, I aim to broaden my horizon by exploring other fields such as history, biology and psychology. Below you can find a curated selection of the books that I have enjoyed reading the most.
Don't get discouraed by the provocative title - this book is the ultimate masterclass in science communication. Being a nerd for biology myself, this is hands-down the most enlightening and mindblowing book I have ever read. I recommend this to everyone, no exceptions.
A fascinating exploration of the way we think. This book offers various insights into how we make decisions and why our intuition is less trustworthy than we think. Besides being a humbling experience, it is no overstatement to say that this book has changed the way I understand my own mind.
Why did human wealth and power distribute the way it did? Why did Eurasians conquer the Americas, rather than the indigenous peoples conquering Europe? This book offers insightful answers to all these questions and many more that you may not have asked yourself until now.
I got this book as a gift from a great friend of mine and dear I say she hit the bullseye. This book contains a powerful exploration of intelligence, identity, and ethics and truly captured my attention for multiple days. I didn't leave my house without it and if I could wipe my memory and read it again for the first time, I would.
A wonderfully introspective story and an all-time classic. I was captured by the story after seeing a play during my time at Loughborough University in the UK. Maybe that's why I love it so much.
My favourite dystopian novel. The vividness and the portrayal of totalitarianism, surveillance, and the manipulation of truth are unmatched. Nothing for people with weak nerves.