​What’s your next move? Let’s figure it out together 🚀

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Your career isn’t a straight line—it’s an adventure. The ZNZ EIC and Science & Drinks Committees invite you to a unique roundtable event designed to help you weigh your options in the ocean of possibilities!

​Through rotating small-group discussions, you'll gain first-hand perspectives from those who have successfully pivoted across various sectors. Ask the candid questions you’ve been holding onto, gain real-world insights, and end the night by expanding your circle over an informal Apero.

​Seats are limited—please review the speaker bios and rank your preferences during registration.

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🗣️ Meet Your Roundtable Hosts

​Table 1: Family vs. Career

​Prof. Dr. med. Ruxandra Bachmann-Gagescu
Associate Professor of Developmental Genetics at UZH & Practicing Physician-Scientist
Prof. Dr. med. Ruxandra Bachmann-Gagescu is an Associate Professor of Developmental Genetics at UZH and a practicing physician-scientist specializing in medical genetics. Having successfully navigated dual clinical and academic research training across Switzerland and the US, she actively balances her multifaceted career with raising three children alongside her academic husband.

​Prof. Dr. Johannes Bohacek
Professor of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, ETH Zurich
Prof. Dr. Johannes Bohacek is a Professor of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience at ETH Zurich, where his research team investigates the molecular and circuit-level impacts of stress on the brain. As a principal investigator and father of two young daughters, he is a strong advocate for work-life balance and actively navigates the realities of "squeezing it all in" while managing a high-powered academic career and an active family life.

​Table 2: Industry Transitions

​Dr. Rea Lehner
Global Clinical Operations Excellence Leader and Digital Biomarker Lead, Roche
 Dr. Rea Lehner is a ZNZ alumna who successfully transitioned from academic neuroscience—where she conducted research at ETH Zurich and the Singapore-ETH Centre—to a leadership role in the pharmaceutical industry. Now serving as a Global Clinical Operations Excellence Leader and previously, Digital Biomarker Lead at Roche, she drives the adoption of digital health technologies and AI in clinical trials. She brings invaluable, firsthand insights into navigating the corporate world and identifying the critical soft skills needed to thrive outside the lab.

​Dr. Stephanie Niklaus
Researcher at UZH (Former Senior Scientist at EraCal Therapeutics and Roche Pharmaceuticals)
Dr. Stephanie Niklaus brings a unique perspective on transitioning across the entire biotech ecosystem. After completing her PhD at UZH in zebrafish genetics, she was recruited by Roche Pharmaceuticals. She later embraced the startup world as a Senior Scientist at the UZH spin-off EraCal Therapeutics before bringing her industry and venture experience back to UZH. She offers attendees practical insights into the pace of spin-off companies, risk tolerance, and the realities of moving between academia, big pharma, and agile startups.

​Table 3: Entrepreneurship

​Dr. Andreea Loredana Cretu
Head of BioMed Entrepreneurship Programs, UZH
Dr. Andreea Loredana Cretu bridges the gap between the lab and the market as the Head of BioMed Entrepreneurship Programs at UZH. With her own background as an ETH-trained neuroscientist, she is now a driving force in the Zurich startup ecosystem, specializing in helping researchers commercialize their discoveries. She brings expert, actionable advice on startup ideation, venture scaling, and "fundraising 101" for scientists looking to launch their first spin-off.

​Dr. Stephanie Huwiler
Chief Scientific Officer (CS0), MindMetrix AG
Dr. Stephanie Huwiler transitioned from an award-winning academic career at ETH Zurich—where she received the ETH Silver Medal for her PhD research on sleep and cardiovascular health—to the fast-paced world of startup tech. Now serving as the Chief Scientific Officer at MindMetrix AG (an ETH spin-off commercializing pupil-based biofeedback), she brings deep insights into translating scientific discoveries into market-ready products and navigating the leap from the lab to industry leadership.

​Table 4: Academia & Tenure Track

​Prof. Dr. Francesca Peri
Full Professor, Molecular Life Sciences, UZH
Prof. Dr. Francesca Peri is a Full Professor at UZH with an international academic journey, having trained and led her research group across Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. She brings extensive, firsthand experience in academic mobility, securing major funding like the ERC Starting Grant, and successfully navigating the path to a full professorship. Her insights are invaluable for researchers aiming to build a resilient and internationally competitive academic career.

​Prof. Dr. Fritjof Helmchen
Professor of Neuroscience, Co-Director of the Brain Research Institute, and Director of the ZNZ
Prof. Dr. Fritjof Helmchen is a Professor of Neuroscience, Co-Director of the Brain Research Institute, and the current Director of the ZNZ. Beyond his pioneering research in optical imaging, he brings unparalleled, insider expertise on the academic funding landscape as a recipient of an SNSF Advanced Grant and a member of the SNSF Research Council. His deep involvement in national research councils and foundation boards makes him the perfect guide for discussions on grant writing, securing funding, and navigating the upper echelons of academia.

​Table 5: Alternative Paths

​Dr. Filipe Viegas
Associate Consultant in Pharma & Life Sciences, PwC Switzerland
Dr. Filipe Viegas is an excellent example of successfully translating a rigorous academic background into the corporate world. After completing his PhD at UZH—where he researched retinal neurobiology and developmental genetics—he transitioned into the consulting sector. He is currently an Associate Consultant in Pharma & Life Sciences at PwC Switzerland, where he applies his analytical scientific training to solve high-level R&D and strategic challenges.

​Dr. Dayra Ayerim Lorenzo Mercado
Core Facility Scientist (Light Microscopy), UZH Center for Microscopy and Image Analysis (ZMB)
After completing her PhD in Neuroscience at the Zurich Neuroscience Center (ZNZ), Dayra transitioned into a technology-focused role within academia as a Core Facility Scientist in light microscopy at ZMB. She works at the interface of advanced imaging systems and experimental design, collaborating on interdisciplinary research projects and contributing to academic–industry partnerships. In addition to overseeing high-end microscopy platforms, she teaches hands-on courses and trains researchers in modern imaging workflows, system optimization, and image acquisition strategies. Her work reflects the evolving role of technology specialists in academia — enabling rigorous, reproducible science while bridging research, instrumentation, and translational collaboration.