CURRENT MISSION

find out about life

ABOUT ME

I grew up in a small town in the underdeveloped area close to the former German-German border under the care of very good parents. Until I was a teenager the furthest I traveled with my parents was a visit to my grandfather 100 miles away from my parents. Times have changed: Traveling has become so much easier for me and I enjoy visiting other cultures.
I served my Army duty in Bad Frankenhausen and Sontra, studied for about 4 years in Goettingen, Germany, and one year in Berkeley, California. After graduating I worked as a programmer in Cologne for about half a year to find out that I want to pursue a University career.
I got my Ph.d. in Goettingen and later did a postdoc in Santa Cruz, California. I am now a professor for Bioinformatics in Greifswald at the Baltic Sea.

PHILOSOPHY

stay open minded and try everything out

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To meet and hear from internationals.

Interests

Trying all kinds of 'sports', whatever is out there. Climbing, surfing, snowboard, running, chess, diving, windsurfing, dancing ...

• dancing
• running
• chess
• traveling
• juggling
• windsurfing
• surfing
• scuba diving
• snowboarding
• sports
• rock climbing
• teaching
• mathematics
• software

Music, Movies, and Books

Comedy like "Naked Gun" (Yes, I really find this funny.)

Richard Dawkins' books, like "The Ancestor's Tale" and "God Delusion". I am currently into books about evolution.

House music for dancing, but also music with German lyrics like "Elements of Crime"

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The most interesting sight I have seen were the temples in the jungle around Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Many have almost been "eaten" by the trees in the course of the centuries.

The underwater world when diving near Ko Pagnan.

Leaving the plane in mid air the first time I was in a plane.

Teach, Learn, Share

Hehe, I guess I could teach math. And I would like to learn how to juggle with 4 balls or how to walk on your hands. Also, would learn how to para glide like a pro. Just did it once down the hill.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russian Federation, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Switzerland, United States