PhD ETH Health Sciences and Technology

Born and brought up in Zurich, Switzerland, I obtained a MSc in the Science of Human Movement and Sport, followed by a PhD in Health Sciences and Technology from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (EPFZ), in 2012 and 2016, respectively.

During my Master’s and PhD studies at Zurich children’s hospital’s paediatric rehabilitation centre (Kinder-Reha Schweiz, Affoltern am Albis), I also worked as a “highly specialised medicine” therapist using new technologies such as the Lokomat® for the rehabilitation of children with motor disorders. From 2010–2017 at the children’s rehabilitation centre in Affoltern am Albis, I helped to develop interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers, doctors, therapists in various sectors, and nurses, among others. I also made a significant contribution to developing quality management, particularly in setting up workflows conforming to GCP (good clinical practice) and in training the team on Swiss legislation relating to research with human subjects. During my PhD, I was involved in the development of new technologies, which I could test with patients in my daily work.

Between 2016 and 2020, I was in charge of research into paediatric neuro-rehabilitation at Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) where I led several clinical and observational studies. These included joint collaborations with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) and the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), to improve care for children with cerebral palsy.

The personalised and tailored care of children suffering from motor disorders is very important to me. Thanks to my experience and my active contact with the rehabilitation centre in Affoltern am Albis, I am contributing to multidisciplinary cooperation and the development of innovative therapies for young patients.