So you want to know more???

At my core, I am passionate about machine learning and AI, physics (mostly astronomy), writing, and music. I have aspirations to get a masters degree in Artificial Intelligence, then hopefully go further and study a PhD. The part of university I enjoyed the most was my final-year research project, so academia feels like the right place for me.

In 2020 (spooky year), I matriculated from Maritzburg College with an NSC Bachelor's Pass. After that, I enrolled at Stellenbosch University for BSc Computer Science. I graduated my Computer Science Honours with Cum Laude, and my final year research project won first place at the Undergraduate Research Conference. Aside from that, I also have a Grade 6 in Music Theory from UNISA and a Grade 6 in Trumpet Performance from Trinity College London.

Let's start with the "and such" part.
In high school, I did my fair share of extra-curriculars. I was never the sporty type, but I was very involved in the cultural scene. I was in my high school choir and chamber choir, and I played the trumpet in our jazz band. I was also a part of the KZN Midlands Youth Choir for two years. I was both captain of my high school choir and head boy of the Midlands Youth Choir.
I was regularly a part of school stage productions (sometimes in the band, sometimes on stage). The only non-music extra-curricular I did was esports (yes, I was and still am a gaming nerd).

During my first three years of uni, I was part of the Stellenbosch University Choir (obligatory marketing) and the concerts and weekly practices kept me busy when I wasn't doing work.

As far as hobbies go, I enjoy artsy things such as poetry, creative writing, playing guitar (I'm not very good) and singing. I like to give myself little programming projects when I have the time and want to feel productive. I keep a telescope with me at uni and like to go star-gazing when the weather permits. I also still play video games, but I find it difficult to make time for them while I'm at uni so I usually keep that for the holidays.

  • 1. I love love LOVE space! I keep up to date with most of the latest astronomy news and it's a dream of mine to be an astronaut one day.
  • 2. I could listen to The 1975 all day, every day. It's totally not a problem.
  • 3. I have a bent pinky-finger. Sometimes I like to hold it straight then pretend to bend it as a fun party trick.
  • 4. I don't have any allergies. ...that I know of...
  • 5. My family's nickname for me is "Badger", and so I have a Badger tattoo on my arm. (it's not a Hufflepuff tattoo!)
  • 6. I'm an ENFP! The opening sentence here describes me so perfectly it's scary.
  • 7. I tell a few too many dad jokes for someone who isn't a dad.
  • 8. I've met (and sang for) Prince Harry.
  • 9. I have an irrational fear of moths (as well as other creepy crawlies that are large enough).
  • 10. I feature on 3 YouTube videos with more than a million views. (basically a celebrity)