Since early on in my childhood, I read widely and wildly. I loved all the encyclopaedias, medical, and SciFi books from my mum's library, and would entertain myself for hours with reading and learning about human cultures, rituals, and beliefs, and the mysteries and complexities of the human body and the cosmos. I grew up in Serbia, so I was also surrounded by archaeology and archaeological sites, some of which date back as far as the Roman Period and even the Neolithic. Those early influences shaped my interest in archaeology, but also other areas of study, such as anthropology, astronomy, maths, science and medicine. This early exploration of the universe and the diversity of the human condition created my lifelong interest and fascination with archaeology and anthropology, space exploration, astronomy, as well as, the traditional cosmologies. So once I did my formal training in archaeology at Flinders University, I naturally found myself in the contemporary field of space archaeology. That led me to the International Space University, where I found my space family of likeminded people that shared my passion and enthusiasm for all things space and the human element of space exploration. I quickly realised that all the knowledge and ideas I gained during my student years needed to be shared with others, so I devoted myself to science communication and outreach, and now work for the Australian Space Agency and Flinders University as science communicator.

I think it is really important to understand the past in order to be able to appreciate the present, and plan the next steps. I think this is especially important in reference to space exploration, as we are on a trajectory that will potentially see us become an interplanetary species. So, I think that archaeology is a great way to look into the future, and I will continue to be active in that realm either through future collaborations on projects, or maybe even further study in that area (I need a break!). I am also super interested in astrobotany and space food (my thesis topic of research), and am currently leading a project that will turn the science of growing plants in space into an educational experience for the public. I feel like my science communication journey has just begun, as there is always so much more to be learned and shared. My only ambition is to continue to be able to, through my work and volunteering, connect with incredible and inspiring people, dive into the new discoveries everyday, and keep doing what I love. I am grateful for all the people I shared this journey with so far and am looking forward to growing alongside them as a professional, but most of all as a person. The sky is no longer the limit.

Don't let anyone tell you don't/won't fit in. Be authentic. Fight for your dreams with conviction. Cherish your mentors. Give back when you can. Passion + Perseverance = Grit. 'There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth. We are all crew.' - Marshall McLuhan

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