Ronny Nienhold

Scientific Head of Molecular Pathology Division | Expert in Molecular Diagnostic Innovation | Specialist in NGS, WGS & Regulatory Implementation

Basel Metropolitan Area

About

Passionate scientist leading a team for routine diagnostics and development of novel diagnostic assays. More than 20 years’ experience in molecular biology, 10 years of these in diagnostic NGS assay design and implementation. Experience in genomic profiling, molecular tumor diagnostics and personalized healthcare, molecular detection and identification of infections, quality management in diagnostic environment. Sense for strategy: practice in streamlining processes to improve productivity, creative and innovative use of existing infrastructure, implementation of new technologies. Enjoy motivating and supporting colleagues to create an effective team.

Experience

  • Scientific head in molecular pathology at Universitätsspital Zürich
    Oct 2022 - Present · 3 yrs 9 mos

    - Conception, organization and monitoring of the operational strategy in cooperation with the division management and in coordination with the needs of the clients - Coordinating day-to-day business and R&D projects with the laboratory management - Supervision of scientists and bio informaticians, definition of aims, as well as monitoring and evaluation of target achievement in coordination with the division management - Navigate the complex landscape of compliance and regulatory requirements (IVDR anybody?)

  • Kantonsspital Baselland (Full-time · 4 yrs 10 mos)
    • Group head in molecular pathology
      Jan 2020 - Sep 2022 · 2 yrs 9 mos

      - Heading a team of BMA’s and biologists delivering cutting edge molecular diagnostics for oncology and infection pathology - Developing novel and optimizing existing next-generation solutions - Supporting regional and international #COVID19 research

    • Scientist
      Dec 2017 - Dec 2019 · 2 yrs 1 mo

      - guiding a small research team developing new diagnostic NGS assays - tutoring master students and PhD students in translational & diagnostic research - responsible for NGS-based diagnostics for solid tumors and of cell free DNA (liquid biopsy)

  • Labmanager (cohort services) at Universität Basel
    Apr 2017 - Nov 2017 · 8 mos

    Research - Translational research: using Next-generation sequencing (NGS) in a clinical study - reporting actionable findings to treating physicians Lab organization - Coordination of sequencing services for detailed MPN patient analysis - Sample storage & analysis of multiple cohorts with up to 450 patients Biobank & LIMS - Implementation of a LIMS-based Biobank (donated by Actelion) for patient samples in 2013 - Training of lab members how to use the database independently Collaborations with - Molecular diagnostics of the University hospital of Basel - Quantitative genomics of the ETHZ in Basel - Contact person for patients physicians in Switzerland and international collaborators - Actelion pharmaceuticals Ltd in Allschwil

  • Doctoral Researcher at Universität Basel
    2012 - 2017 · 5 yrs

    Research - Finding genetic biomarkers in MPN, which have impact on disease initiation or progression - Elucidating clonal architecture in individual patients

  • Part-time lab technician in academia at Universität Basel
    2009 - 2010 · 1 yr

    Parallel to my studies at the Biozentrum in Basel, I worked as a part-time lab technician in different research labs of the faculty of science. Group of Prof. U. Jenal, Mikrobiology, - I supported a yeast-two hybrid screen to identify interaction partners of proteins involved in flagellar morphogenesis Prof. W. Salzburger, Evolutionary Biology - Here I used PCR based methods to distinguish between different species of cichlids, which is the model organism that helps Walter to study the evolution of animal diversity and speciation Prof. D. Ebert, Evolutionary Biology - In the lab of Dieter Ebert, I supported a PhD student by performing simple molecular biological tasks, while she was writing up her thesis.