Researcher by training, I always greatly enjoyed working in the lab, dreaming up new experiments, and pipetting tiny volumes. But I soon discovered that there is more to science than research. Many of my favorite lab memories come from discussing with others, teaching classes, and mentoring students. There is something special about being there the moment that things 'click'.

I explored these sides of science during various elective classes and extracurricular activities. Scroll down to find out more about my experiences and work in Teaching & Mentoring, Illustration & Visuals, and Event Organization.

Success is fun, but learning can be hard.

Progress is the best, but taking the actual steps needed can be nerve wracking. Making mistakes and being stretched beyond one's comfort zone can be intimidating, yet these challenges are essential to the learning process. In the right environment, however, these moments become much more manageable.

Creating a supportive and inclusive environment is my top priority. To optimize learning, I focus on establishing open communication and building trust with my students. Aligning expectations and setting clear, shared goals ensures we are working toward the same vision together. When students feel safe to make small mistakes and ask for the specific support they need, it creates opportunities for greater growth. Their trust enables me to challenge them more effectively, pushing them to reach their full potential.

Finding ways to make concepts click for each individual student is incredibly rewarding.

My journey
My first teaching experiences date back to high school, where I tutored various students in science subjects. However, it was during my time coaching gymnastics that I truly fell in love with teaching. Over the next five years, I taught young girls to flip and fall in love with the sport.

During my PhD, I discovered that the foundations of teaching are the same, whether in sports or science. In both cases, empathy, enjoyable environment, and curiosity go a long way. These experiences have proven to be equally rewarding and have deepened my commitment to guiding others through their learning journeys.

It was my masters's internship supervisor, Felix Fenneman, who first introduced me to scientific figure creation. The way his images could convey the complex and detailed concepts so clearly and effectively resonated deeply with me. When I truly understand them, I often visualize ideas as images. To me it makes perfect sense to utilize visuals to explain concepts and ideas.

Creating illustrations involves two key stages: developing the story and then bringing the artwork to life. My scientific background and teaching experience make the first stage particularly meaningful to me. Over time, I’ve also worked on the artistic side of figure creation, and I’m excited to see my illustration and animation skills continue to evolve.

Although presentations are largely based on words, they aren't all that different. Like a book, a good presentation should still paint a vivid image in the recipient’s mind