I'm a science nerd who also enjoys learning new perspectives from other places and cultures :D My greatest passion is lab research and science outreach. I grew up in the United States, but I am also an Austrian citizen. From 2014 to 2016 I lived in rural Mozambique as a secondary school biology teacher, in 2024 I finished my PhD studies in biohybrid solar energy applications in Colorado, USA, and now I’m living in Milan, Italy.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

When I travel, getting to know the culture of everyday life is as important to me as seeing the sights. Soon I hope to host other travelers as well :)

Interests

Swing dancing (lindy hop, charleston)
Origami
Knitting
Astronomy
Gardening
Cross country skiing
Running
Hiking
ScIeNCe
Languages

• swing dancing
• running
• gardening
• knitting
• guitar
• hiking
• astronomy
• german
• outdoors
• cross-country skiing
• lindy hop
• portuguese
• scientific research
• science outreach

Music, Movies, and Books

Various- while in Mozambique I listened to a lot of Angolan and Mozambican hip hop :D but I enjoy hearing a lot of different styles, from classical and jazz to rap and I like to learn about local/traditional music wherever I am.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I had the opportunity to live and work in rural northern Mozambique for two years. Most of all I enjoyed the small insight into a different language and culture, living with no electricity (only solar panels, at work) and doing science experiments with my students using local materials :)

What I Can Share with Hosts

Science jokes and origami tricks are probably my best, haha- but I'll happily share any of my other interests- dancing, languages, cool knitting patterns, gardening, astronomy, science topics in general :D

I can cook, though I don't claim to be an expert ;)

Love a good philosophical conversation or exchange of cultural ideas :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Botswana, Colombia, Croatia, Germany, Ghana, Iceland, Italy, Lesotho, Mexico, Norway, South Africa, Swaziland, Turkey, Uganda, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Austria, Italy, Mozambique, United States