I have a strong interest in synthetic organic chemistry with a particular focus on catalysis. While the development of novel methodologies to offer efficient access to complex natural products represents my center of attention, my main objective is to do cutting edge science in a collaborative environment thriving on interdisciplinary research. I have therefore consciously advanced my academic career in international groups at the forefront of asymmetric catalysis. My graduate studies focussed on the development of strong and confined chiral Brønsted acids for the asymmetric organocatalytic synthesis of alkaloid natural products.