I’m a systems neuroscientist, writer and yoga teacher.
A bit of an unusual combination – so here’s a little whirlwhind tour of how that came to be:

I studied neuroscience in Edinburgh, Sydney and London, and worked as a researcher at UCL and the Ryu Lab.

(My academic publications, with free PDFs where possible,
can be found here.)

In 2022, just as the covid-19 pandemic was finally easing, I was diagnosed with chronic migraine, which rather inconveniently completely derailed my ambitious academic science plans.

Fast forward a few years, and I found a new way to work.
As a writer, science communicator, and yoga teacher.

I needed work that didn’t involve screens, and since yoga had become such a valuable pillar for me on my migraine journey, I qualified as a 200hr Purna Yoga teacher.

I like to use my yoga classes for science communication.
I run “yoga for migraine relief” courses, where I share how both science and yoga can be applied in migraine management.

I’m currently working on my first book, and run two Substack publications:

You can find my full CV in PDF format if that’s what you’re after; I’ve got an academic (long) one, a writer’s one and a yoga one – cause let’s face it, you all want different skills from me.

Online, you can find me on LinkedIn, GoogleScholar, GitHub, although I’m not very good at keeping those profiles uptodate. Once upon a time, I used to be on Twitter, but I refuse to engage with what it has become now.
And cause I love to read, you’ll find me on Goodreads.

On a more personal note, I seem to have a penchant for collecting unusual combinations too.
I’m a synesthete, gifted, and have had a run into PTSD too.
I’m a triple citizen, speak seven languages, and have travelled to 50+ countries, often solo backpacking.
When not stuck at home because of a pandemic or a migraine, I’m an avid latin dancer.

And for anyone who was wondering…
The AK stands for Alexandra Katariina.
Jacobs is my maiden name, which I’m continuing to use professionally.
My pronouns are she/her/hers.