I'm a 2nd year PhD student at Edinburgh University, studying Biomedical Sciences. I study the neuromuscular junction, which is a synapse connecting your motor nerve and muscles and is responsible for transmitting signals necessary for movement. I'm interested in studying the structure of this synapse, because it's the first part that goes wrong in many neuromuscular diseases.

I've also had the fantastic opportunity to work at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in Leith for a year before starting my PhD, where I learned a great deal about whisky, Scottish culture, and picked up a wee bit of a Scottish accent. There's nothing better than walking around the rugged hills in the highlands, having a lovely wee dram on top of a summit. Being active frees my mind and I enjoy meeting new people along the way.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Throughout September I'll be travelling through Japan for the Rugby World Cup, I have tickets to Tokyo matches so I'm looking to set base there and travel around to visit a few distilleries, meet people and explore the food and local culture.

Before I started my MSc I travelled around New Zealand and Australia for two months, which was a fantastic experience. I've met some really cool people through couchsurfing and I'm looking forward to more of it! Having the opportunity to get immersed into local culture has been a great experience.

I’ve couch hosted many people in Scotland and Austria (before I moved), that I’ve met through my travels around New Zealand and Australia, many of them have turned into lifelong friends.

Interests

Apart from being highly involved in my PhD, I'm quite active. I like doing yoga, walk the highlands and go swimming. I also love to cook (I absolutely love food!!) and I'm a bit of a geek, my friends and I play several campaigns of Dungeons & Dragons. Other than being in the lab most of the time, I don't mind having a night in once in a while with data analysis or at the microscope, binge watching TV series in the background. (I work too much, so I'm extremely excited about this upcoming holiday!!)

• books
• festivals
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• movies
• board games
• traveling
• music
• volleyball
• swimming
• biology
• science
• whisky
• science and technology
• dungeons and dragons

Music, Movies, and Books

I love a good bit of Marvel, horror movies, drama, action movies, comedy... minimal-, techno, alternative music, I love Placebo (the band) and Florence and the Machine... I've got a very broad taste in music and movies. With books I prefer to read scientific and educational books, to broaden my horizon and satisfy my curious mind.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Travelling around New Zealand was the most amazing experience I've had so far, alongside graduating from my masters degree with distinction after a year of hard work, and sweat and endless tears ;).

Teach, Learn, Share

I love sharing my knowledge of Whisky and talking about food and science, dungeons and dragons and hikes, life... I love learning everything about new food, local hikes, secret recommendations of great cafés and restaurants, experience local customs and cultures. Having lived in three different countries, I know how different cultures can be and I appreciate sharing someone's space.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm very pleasant company and an easy going guest, I can share my Austrian heritage, as well as Scottish culture and extensive Whisky knowledge. Or share nothing if you'd rather be left in peace. :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Austria, Scotland