Martin Kudrna

Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated by how the world works. This curiosity naturally drew me towards STEM subjects, especially mathematics and computer science. I began participating in mathematical competitions in primary school, which helped me develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills from an early age.

the covid pandemic, I created my first mobile app and discovered a deep interest in computer science. I was drawn to the way it combines mathematical reasoning with creativity and enables the development of real-world tools - an aspect I find especially rewarding. Since then, I have actively pursued this field through coding challenges, correspondence seminars, and personal projects. One such project is an educational astronomy app aimed at both amateur stargazers and Olympiad participants.

In the future I would like to combine my passion for computer science with my other interests, namely physics and astronomy. I have been expanding my knowledge in these subjects for a long time, for example by completing the Astronomy course at the Prague Planetarium and working as a guide at the Prague observatories. I also took part in various Science Olympiads, earning a gold, silver, and bronze medal at the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, a silver medal at the International Physics Olympiad, and a bronze medal at the European Physics Olympiad.

My dream is to work in the European Space Agency or another company in the field, where I could focus on, for example, code for future probes, simulations of physical conditions at target destinations, or visualisation or other processing of acquired data. Furthermore, I would like to take part in organising Olympiads and creating preparation materials and applications for their participants.

During my studies at the Johannes Kepler Grammar School, I was awarded a three-months scholarship at Winchester College in the UK. This allowed me to experience a different educational system and gain valuable insight into the university application process. While I was there, I visited the University of Cambridge and attended a Physics Subject Masterclass. In addition, one of the Czech students kindly gave me a tour of Trinity College and its surroundings. The academic rigour, vibrant intellectual community, and historic setting left a lasting impression on me. I am particularly drawn to studying Computer Science at Cambridge because it offers a rigorous and theoretical foundation while also encouraging creativity and interdisciplinary exploration.