Aikaterini Niovi Triantafyllaki (Greece)

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PROGRAMME: PhD in Space Research and Technology

Why did you choose to study this programme?

Actually, at the end of my first year of my MSc, I was focusing on finding a PhD on the topic of galaxies’ evolution. I searched for something similar to my MSc thesis title, and the names of my current supervisors showed up. Later, after applying to different programs in Europe and getting selected, I chose the one in Tartu as, for my academic wishes, it is far more computational than the other ones, with a strong connection to galactic dynamics that I wanted to learn more about in the meantime. I know I made the right choice as the work with my main supervisor has provided me with skills that I do not believe I would have gotten anywhere in that depth, both in analysis, understanding, coding and learning for the Universe! I believe the Tartu Observatory is the right place to foster my needs.

Why Estonia?

For me, this was for two reasons. I came in as a trainer for the Erasmus Plus projects some years ago and fell in love with the forests, the love of the people for their nature and preserving it, the folklore and the fairies that surround people’s everyday life here, the honesty and directness, values that I also encompass. I also love snow. Most important was the topic for my research, which was, in fact, a priority. Somehow, maybe with a little bit of winter-cold-weather-northern magic, these two things came together. And somehow, I do appreciate the extra stardust sprinkled on me, enhancing my choice to want to stay, coming from Kalev chocolates and seeing the Aurora Borealis from my window at home.