HMS

15
Oct
2025
Anna Breger

Anna Breger

Born in Austria • Studied Mathematics and Music • PhD in Applied Mathematics from University of Vienna, Austria • Assistant Research Professor at University of Cambridge

It was the beauty of abstract aesthetics that first drew me to Mathematics. Finding calm and excitement in analytical thinking and mathematical problems, it has always been clear to me that I will study Mathematics at the University.

Being from Austria gives you the huge privilege to obtain great education for free at nearby universities. That is how, right after my final high school exam, I enrolled for my Maths undergraduate studies without even thinking about the future. I still remember very clearly one of my first Math lectures at the University of Vienna. In a room with hundreds of excited and nervous students, the professor took us by surprise: “Look left and look right, most of you won’t make it through the first study term!” Back then I encountered that as a challenge I was happy to participate in, today I wonder how such pedagogical manners could be acceptable.  

The excitement, the frustration, the joy – it felt like training acrobatics of the mind

A competition – that is how it felt the first years of studying and I dearly enjoyed the long hours studying and solving mathematical problems with my amazing colleagues that soon became close friends. The excitement, the frustration, the joy – it felt like training acrobatics of the mind and I embraced the clarity of pure Mathematics, presenting an undefeatable truth. 

What I have not told yet – alongside Mathematics I obtained another degree at a different institution, namely in music pedagogy for violin performance and later also studied early music with baroque violin. (In Austria you cannot obtain two majors or a minor in a different study area; now I think that this system would have fitted me much better.) I did worry a lot that people would not take me seriously either in Maths or in Music when they’d find out, and that is why I kept hiding my respective “second” identity in both communities for a very long time from most people. Luckily, I also met people that inspired me to keep up both interests and I am still very grateful for them. When I received a prestigious research fellowship towards the end of my PhD studies in Mathematics, for the first time I felt strong enough to speak publicly about my two paths. Often, I was asked: “So what will you choose? Maths or Music?” My answer has always been: “Both, of course!” 

Maths and Music gave me the perfect balance to challenge both my analytical and creative skills on an emotional and structural level

Maths and Music gave me the perfect balance to challenge both my analytical and creative skills on an emotional and structural level during my university studies. I could not have gone forward and succeeded in one without the other. Later, both activities gave me such amazing opportunities to travel and meet people, where often it benefitted both my professions! And lastly – this brings me right in the present – eventually I have managed to combine both professions in an interdisciplinary research project that I am now carrying out.

But first, back to my path in Maths! My first undergraduate course in mathematical image processing showed me how enjoyable it can be to visually experience the results of a mathematical solution. I began to love the idea of using mathematics to process or even create a digital image, and the satisfaction to see the result of a successful algorithm (for example to make a noisy image clearer). I kept this excitement and was very grateful to find a supervisor for a Master’s thesis on image analysis – the project even included medical images from a hospital! I had not planned to stay for a PhD, but when I was offered to stay in the research project, I felt excited to deepen my understanding of mathematical image analysis and applications further.

The calm that once gave me comfort in pure Mathematics I now found in the compromises that have to be made in translational research

Soon my passion for interdisciplinary research was released, and gradually I started loving the edginess that comes when applying Mathematics to real-world problems. The calm that once gave me comfort in pure Mathematics I now found in the compromises that have to be made in translational research when trying to bridge theory, application and task-based needs. 

Many little twists and turns have brought me to where I am now and I am absolutely thrilled about my interdisciplinary research project at the University of Cambridge, working on image analysis and historical music manuscripts. Having encountered various obstacles challenging my unusual path, I still would tell my younger self to delve into both passions, and I would advise everyone to stay true to themselves and feel free to go their own personal, individual path. 

Published on October 15, 2025.
Photo credit: Flora Wiederkehr

Posted by HMS in Stories
07
May
2025
Alexandra Edletzberger

Alexandra Edletzberger

Born in Vienna, Austria • Birth year 1995 • Studied Mathematics at University Vienna, Austria and Journalism at University of Salzburg, Austria • PhD in Mathematics from University of Vienna, Austria • Lives in Vienna, Austria • Innovation Manager at UBIMET Group

When I handed in my bachelor’s thesis in 2017, I couldn’t believe it – I thought to myself, “Well, here is my math degree. I’m finally done studying.” Little did I know that seven years later, I would be celebrating the completion of my PhD in mathematics and embarking on new research endeavors.

Since I had always been good at math in school, and since a math degree typically opens doors in finance, insurance, or consulting, I made my decision: I would become a mathematician as well.

My original career plan was set. Ever since my teenage years, I knew that I would become a sports journalist, most likely for a major newspaper or magazine. So after high school, I enrolled in a specialized program at the University of Salzburg to become an Academic Sports Journalist in two years. And so I did. But at the same time, I was aware that the writing business could be tough. As a Viennese girl, I knew it would be challenging to find my place in Austria’s ski-obsessed and male-dominated sports scene. So, I decided to be strategic and enroll in a second study program – one with secure and stable job prospects – just to be on the safe side. Since I had always been good at math in school, and since a math degree typically opens doors in finance, insurance, or consulting, I made my decision: I would become a mathematician as well.

There had already been very few women in my bachelor’s program, and I wondered if I would fit into the master’s program at all.

Everything went as planned. I completed my sports journalism degree, found a job at a newspaper in Vienna, and finished my math degree on the side. But then, with a very heavy heart, I realized that I am not supposed to attend math lectures any more. At the same time, I wasn’t sure whether I even had what it takes to continue with a higher degree in math – especially as a woman. There had already been very few women in my bachelor’s program, and I wondered if I would fit into the master’s program at all. A sneaky look at the master’s program curriculum got me excited – there was a specialization in algebra, my absolute favorite area of math. So I decided to enroll – just for fun. I am very thankful for the Austrian education system, where there are no entry exams and studying comes at no cost. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to take this opportunity.

The more courses I took, the more I enjoyed studying. And when I realized that this could also be my chance to move abroad for half a year through an exchange program, I took a leap of faith. I quit my job as a journalist, went to Sweden, and decided to try my luck as a mathematician.

Once again, I didn’t feel ready to end my math journey just yet.

When I was completing my master’s degree, a familiar feeling crept in. Once again, I didn’t feel ready to end my math journey just yet. I was fortunate enough to be offered a PhD position by my master’s thesis supervisor, and I accepted with excitement. My math journey that had started as a practical decision, continued out of passion.

While I enjoyed doing research and the freedom of an academic position, I realized very early in my PhD studies that I did not fit – and did not want to fit – into the academic system. The structural discrimination of women, the exploitation of early-career researchers, and the lack of opportunities to make meaningful change wore me down. I felt like a flower expected to bloom with far too little water and sunlight.

But when I was done, for the first time, I felt truly content with my math chapter coming to an end. And I found a new way to use many of the skills I gained during my PhD.

Don’t get me wrong – I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to complete my PhD, meet incredible people, do exciting research, and contribute to diversity and inclusion in STEM. But when I was done, for the first time, I felt truly content with my math chapter coming to an end.

And I found a new way to use many of the skills I gained during my PhD. As an innovation manager at an Austrian medium-sized company with a focus on natural sciences and its own Research and Development department, I design and develop research projects, find project partners, write proposals, and manage ongoing projects. My fundamental knowledge about mathematical modelling is a key asset.  Plus, this role combines my interest in storytelling, investigating new leads and juggling several projects – talents that once led me to journalism – with the skills that steered me to mathematics. In the end, the two plotlines of my career have merged into one in an unexpected yet fulfilling way.

Published on May 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Nora Kamml

Posted by HMS in Stories