About Lisa:

What course are you studying and what level?

DPhil Interdisciplinary Bioscience

Why did you chose that course?

I love to work in the intersection of different sciences and on top of that tackle some of the most pressing challenge of our society with scientific solutions.

When, where and why did you start rowing? And what do you love about the sport?

I started rowing in school in old wooden boats. When I did an internship in Cambridge in 2018, I started swipe rowing and immediately loved the team spirit, competitiveness and intensity of the sport.

What was your first rowing club and coach?

School rowing, Hans-Jürgen Terjung

What or who was the earliest sporting inspiration you remember as a child?

I started doing Sport when I was about 12 years old. First I did horseriding, then I started to play volleyball and football alongside it. Starting running when I was about 15 years old was the most challenging for me, I struggled a lot in the beginning but then managed to steadily increase the distances. I always cycled a lot to get around. During the pandemic I then got into long distance cycling and since this year (2024) I am also doing triathlon and did my first Ironman.

How has rowing and being part of the Boat Race squad impacted your life?

I think I found out for myself that fully committing to something might seem scarry at the beginning but is very rewarding.

If you weren’t a rower, what sport do you think you’d excel at?

Long distance running or cycling (but more for fun, I’m slow).

What is your favourite non-academic book?

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho