Tell us something about yourself:
I am an introvert who loves her space but is curious enough to venture out when it is needed. This curiosity made me love science, delve into research, and love it.
What do you like most about working as a scientist?
The unpredictability of science. The thrill of science is like a game of cards; you do not know what hand you will be dealt. Every day is a new day with a lot of unpredictability, and it feeds my curiosity. To sum it all up, when I achieve scientific feats that I thought were impossible when I started researching science, it makes me glad to be a scientist.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement(s) so far?
Choosing to go into research. I had dabbled in the corporate world for a few years. After a while, I decided to move into science I was passionate about. I consider deciding to move back into research and all the things I had to do to get here my greatest achievement. Other things come close; writing my first paper was also an achievement; I pat myself on the back sometimes when I remember. It is not published yet, but I am still proud of myself.
Why did you decide to study at UCT Prague?
Everyone asks me: “Why Prague?” I say that I did not choose Prague but that I chose UCT Prague (the university). UCT Prague had the research line I was passionate about (wastewater technology) and had the facilities (personnel and infrastructure) I needed to thrive in this field.
Do you enjoy living in Prague?
Hmm… I feel I am too much of an introvert to live in Prague. Truth be told, I treat Prague as I would treat any other part of the world. I might be a curious cat, but I have not ventured into sightseeing as much as I would have loved. Prague is lovely from the little I have seen so far.
What would you say to those who are thinking about doing a PhD at UCT Prague?
If you are strong-willed, a PhD at UCT Prague would be the right place for you to do your research. Remember that the Czech Republic is not an English-speaking country. However, you cannot compare the non-academic arena with UCT Prague. It is still a little challenging to communicate with people who are not bilingual. The resources the school provides are mostly in the Czech language, but this trend is changing. It is nothing that Google translate cannot help you with.