Why did you choose Waterloo?
I’m from Austria, and studied both math and physics in undergrad at the University of Innsbruck. While in university I realized that math is what I wanted to do: I like the structure. You have your set playground, you know the rules, and you can use those rules to explore.
I did a summer undergrad program at the Fields Institute in 2018, and learned more about Waterloo’s Faculty of Math while I was there. I ended up doing my master’s here at the university, and now I’m doing my PhD here as well working with Dr. Matthew Kennedy as my supervisor.
What does a typical day look like for you?
It’s not very exciting looking, from the outside. There’s a lot of reading papers, thinking about things, encountering problems, looking for new papers to help you solve those problems, then continuing to think about things. Usually, I’m either sitting down and reading, or trying something new, or maybe talking it over with my partner. In the evening, I like to wind down making dinner – I really like to cook.
What do you do for fun?
I really like playing strategy board games, often with other math students. Some of my recent favorites are Gaia Project, and Barrage – they’re both pretty difficult European-style board games that can take several hours to play. Occasionally I go out to eat or for drinks with other students, to places like the Grad House, or Graffiti Market in Kitchener.
I also like to exercise, by riding a spin bike or going running. Usually, I wait till I’m stuck on a problem, and then I go for a run.
Do you have any advice for incoming graduate students?
It is normal to feel frustrated from time to time and to start doubting, but just remember you got admitted for a reason and you deserve to be here.