1. Can you describe your role in the SDSS collaboration and what you enjoy most about it?
PhD student. Analyzing spectroscopic observations is a key component of my PhD project, and having access to SDSS observations helps tremendously to obtain spectra of a vast number of objects.
2. Can you tell us about your educational background and how you got interested in the field of astronomy/astrophysics?
I grew up in South Africa and did all my studies up to masters level there. I moved to Germany where I am now busy with a PhD. Since I can remember I had an interest in astronomy and started observing and reading up on the subject form a very young age (~8 years old)
3. What projects are you currently working on and what are you most excited about?
Within SDSS I am involved in the MWM program, searching for cataclysmic variables.I am most excited about finding new cataclysmic variables or other compact binary systems that will be new to the literature
4. Can you describe how you balance work and personal life, and what advice would you give to someone just starting in the field?
In the past I did struggle to find a balance between work and personal life (I spent most evenings and weekends working as well). However, I came to realize that it is of critical importance to separate work and personal life, and now I try to not work in the evenings or over the weekends from home
5. Can you share with us a unique hobby or interest that you have outside of work?
Photography