Aino went from thinking math was “boring” to becoming the top female mathematician in Europe. This summer, she tried out work in industry, where she hopes to return with stronger mathematical foundations. She enjoys challenging environments, whether proving theorems or navigating forest trails. Aino shares her orienteering adventures, favorite combinatorics problem, and the moment she saw her name at the top of the scoreboard at EGMO.

We caught up before she started university (interview edited for length and clarity):