November 29, 2024 | News | New Faces at MPIDR

Welcome, Brooke Livo!

© MPIDR

Brooke Livo started working as Summer Incubator Officer at the Department of Digital and Computational Demography. She is looking forward to meeting new people from all different fields and backgrounds and to advance her creative side a bit more. In her free time Brooke likes to do crafts.

Why did you decide to work at the MPIDR?

Once I moved to Rostock, I decided to begin studying in a completely new field. As many know, studying in the United States is very expensive, and I am very proud of the fact that I have financed my studies 100% by myself (in addition to scholarships I earned, of course). However, this led me to expedite my studies as much as possible, and I was held back a lot by the dollar sign hanging over my head. Once I moved to Rostock, I was able to study something I truly enjoyed just for the joy of learning. Every day I rode my bike to the biology building on Max-Planck-Straße and I dreamt of working for such a respected institution. Coming at a time when I actually was not actively searching for a job, I saw the listing for an open position and I thought I would “take a chance”. I am very glad I decided to do that, as starting this job has been a truly amazing experience and is something that has brought me a lot of joy in even the small amount of time that I have been here. I know it will continue to do so, and I am very excited for my future here at the MPIDR!

What are you particularly looking forward to as you start working at the MPIDR?

I am looking forward to meeting new people from all different fields and backgrounds! I love working and thinking interdisciplinary, and this is a job where my background in Psychology and the Law, Biology, and English can converge into one. I am also looking forward to being able to advance my creative side a bit more, and I am looking forward to developing both personally and professionally alongside the MPIDR!

What do you like most about Rostock?

I love the juxtaposition between small-town and big-city feels that the city offers. I love the accessibility that public transportation here presents, as well as the strength in traditions that Rostockers grasp onto. I am excited for my favorite time of year here in Rostock, with the beautiful Christmas markets, the smell of Mutzen and roasted almonds wafting through the air, and hopefully a lot of snow!

What are you obsessed with at the moment besides demography?

I am obsessed with all things craft! I love to create things with my hands (even if sometimes they do not look as they should) and I love to challenge myself to create things instead of buying them. But of course, I am also quite obsessed with my family. What is even better? Crafting WITH my family. Except with my pets, we’re still trying to train them how to properly use a glue gun, but they keep complaining about opposable thumbs or something like that.