I was born in Hungary. At the age of 13 I moved to Austria to follow my career as a professional synchronized swimmer. Having an Austrian father, I didn’t have difficulties with the language. My passion for biology originated during high school. I studied Biology with a focus on zoology at the University of Vienna. In my last years I completed several voluntary works abroad (in Italy, Thailand and Scotland). That’s how I gained a better view on the world of marine scientists. On a sailing boat-based survey in the Hebrides my passion strengthened for the sea and all its living organisms… So there, I decided to do a master’s in marine science.

I have always had a connection with water. As a professional synchronised swimmer, I was often in the water in the morning and in the evening. Of course, swimming in a pool is different from the sea, but just the feeling of being in the water is special to me. Whenever I have free time here after lectures, I try to go for a swim in the sea.

For me, it is a different universe down there at the seabed. First, you only see rocks and algae but when you take a closer look, it is a diverse universe with creatures.

In Gibraltar, we have the unique opportunity to understand the relationship between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean, this makes it an interesting location to study. Besides that, I always wanted to live close to the sea. I considered other options to study as well, but the decisive factor was that I can go into the sea the whole year-round. Even though some locals might tell you it can get cold in winter.