Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
I operate at the intersection of life sciences R&D, business strategy, and execution — with deep expertise in biotechnology, cell therapy manufacturing, and translational science. My career spans academic research (PhD, University of Zurich), biotech startup operations (cell therapy platform development at CATI Therapeutics), and founding a scientific consulting practice (NeBo Group). I've led cross-functional teams, evaluated bioreactor platforms and CMOs, contributed to regulatory strategy, and translated complex science into investor-ready recommendations. What I bring to consulting, pharmaceutical, and business contexts: + Hypothesis-driven problem solving with deep scientific credibility + Second-order thinking approach to problems + End-to-end project management + Stakeholder engagement across scientists, investors, regulators, and C-suite + Founder experience: client acquisition, go-to-market strategy, team building + Data analysis and modelling (Python, ML, computer vision pipelines) + Branding, market positioning and go to market strategy knowledge I'm passionate about helping biotechnology startups, pharmaceutical companies, and life sciences investors navigate complex technical and strategic decisions. Whether it's due diligence, process optimisation for a CMO, or strategic advisory for a biotech portfolio company. I thrive where science meets business. Open to roles in: Life Sciences Consulting | Biotech Strategy | Private Equity | Pharma Business Development | Startup Operations or anything where interesting problems need interesting soultions
PhD research at the intersection of synthetic biology and biotechnology, with applications in biomanufacturing and life sciences innovation. • Building a synthetic biology toolkit for protein expression in S. pombe — validated for commercial and applications • Developed ML models and computer vision pipelines for automated microscopy image analysis, accelerating experimental throughput • Winner of BioEntrepreneurship Prize (2023 & 2024) and Pharma Camp (2022) — competitive programs connecting PhD scientists with pharmaceutical industry and startup ecosystem challenges • Regularly presented research at conferences, earning 3 poster presentation prizes
Led end-to-end technical and operational development of an autologous T-cell therapy platform at an early-stage biotechnology startup, bridging R&D, manufacturing, and commercial strategy. • Reduced production cycle through data-driven process: a critical metric for investor and pharma partner discussions • Designed a , GMP-compatible manufacturing workflow • Evaluated 6 bioreactor platforms across 11 process architectures, benchmarking COGS and CAPEX to propose an optimised production unit. • Led CMO screening and vendor selection across Europe, the US and Asia. • Translated complex scientific and manufacturing data into clear, actionable recommendations for non-technical stakeholders and investors
Founded and scaled a scientific consulting firm serving clients in molecular biology, conservation biology, and the life sciences, delivering pre-publication peer review, manuscript strategy, and editorial consulting. • Built a consulting practice from zero, achieving a 100% eventual publication acceptance rate • Managed end-to-end client engagements: scoping, staffing, quality assurance, and delivery across a cross-functional network of 10 freelance scientists • Led go-to-market strategy and business development, including outreach to potential clients and strategic partnerships with research institutions • Developed structured project management frameworks to deliver consistent quality across concurrent engagements, directly transferable to management consulting and advisory contexts • Advised clients on journal selection strategy, publication positioning, and stakeholder communication
Led R&D policy lobbying and strategic advisory as Secretary General of VTIS (Association of Slovenes Educated Abroad), an NGO focused on facilitating knowledge circulation between Slovenia and abroad. • Led a 20-person volunteer team on complex policy deliverables under tight deadlines, coordinating across research institutions, government bodies, and international stakeholders • Our R&D strategy proposals were formally adopted into Slovenia's national Research and Development Strategy 2021, demonstrating ability to influence policy at the governmental level • Editor-in-Chief of the VTIS White Book on innovation strategy, presented at 3 symposia, continues to serve as a policy reference for NGOs and government bodies • Gained direct experience in policy consulting, stakeholder management, and strategic advisory, skills directly applicable to public sector and healthcare consulting engagements • Managed consulting, networking operations, and partnerships across the lobbying division focused on innovation policy
• Degree focused on Advanced Synthetic Biology in practice, Theoretical and Practical Systems Biology, and Bioethics. • Thesis on engineering diagnostic biosensors in E. coli — a project with direct translational relevance to diagnostics startups and pharmaceutical R&D pipelines • Received Centennial Prize for top-of-year student — Imperial College London's award for best annual performance