The motivation that drives my work has changed with time. Unlike many colleagues that knew they wanted to be astrophysicists “since ever”, I discovered astronomy and astrophysics at the end of high school, when I was actually studying for becoming a carpenter (!). I had no idea that astronomy as the topic even existed and for years my motivation has been driven by the need of placate a thirst for knowledge in the field that I did not know I had. With time the motivation changed and now I am driven by the recognition that with my work I am helping the advancement of knowledge by future generations of scientists.