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The University of Zurich awards UZH Entrepreneur Fellowships to support early-career researchers in translating their research findings into marketable products and services. The scheme offers financial support, coaching, training and access to lab facilities.
The UZH Entrepreneur Fellowships are announced every year. In 2024 the following projects were awarded fellowships in the tracks Bio&MedTech and Sustainable Society.
Mentor: Prof. Farshad Mazda
Tobias Götschi completed his doctoral training in the Laboratory for Orthopedic Biomechanics at Balgrist University Hospital in 2023. His academic journey has been fueled by a desire to apply biomechanical engineering to solve clinical problems. His work in the Spine Biomechanics group at Balgrist University Hospital on the SpinePlanner project is the culmination of years of research and collaboration with clinicians and industry partners. The Spine Biomechanics group has studied spinal fusion biomechanics through experiments, clinical studies and computational modeling. The SpinePlanner is a preoperative planning platform that uses patient-specific simulations to prevent pedicle screw loosening in spinal surgery. The support by the Entrepreneur Fellowship will help advance the SpinePlanner towards commercialization and transition it from a research concept to a market-ready solution.
Mentor: Prof. Thorsten Buch
Antonis is just wrapping up his doctoral studies in neuroimmunology. In his research, he has uncovered a critical role for an innate-mediated signaling pathway in multiple sclerosis (MS). They found a consistent upregulation of genes related to the CLR pathway in key brain areas, indicating its significance in CNS autoimmunity progression. Innunity Therapeutics’ proposed solution targets the innate immune system via the CLR/NOD/CARD9 pathway, aiming to prevent MS progression and improve patients’ quality of life. The Entrepreneur Fellowship provides the essential resources and expertise to advance the solution from research to practical application.
Mentor: Prof. Gerald Schwank
Kim holds a degree in pharmaceutical biotechnology from the University of Ulm, Germany, and wrote a master’s thesis on CRISPR-Cas tool development at the Technical University of Denmark. He recently completed his doctoral work at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, on leveraging deep learning to optimize genome editing with RNA-guided systems such as CRISPR-Cas. Kim moved to the University of Zurich with his mentor, Prof. Schwank, whose lab focuses on translating molecular tools for gene editing to be applied for therapy. His startup project, nerai bio, seeks to produce superior gene editors with an advanced CRISPR protein engineering platform integrating directed evolution, automated laboratory processes, high-throughput validation assays, and machine learning. Supported by the UZH Entrepreneur Fellowship, Kim will be working on unlocking the full potential of CRISPR-Cas to offer safe and effective therapies for genetic diseases that the current technology cannot address.
Mentor: Prof. Onur Boyman
Roman Meledin is a postdoctoral researcher at UZH specializing in molecular and cell biology. His work on protein design and imaging has led to the development of novel genetically encoded biosensors that use FLIM-FRET imaging technology to measure the real-time activation of different STAT proteins in cells. STAT proteins are intracellular transcription factors that mediate many aspects of cellular immunity, proliferation, and differentiation. These STAT-monitoring biosensors can be integrated into engineered cell lines or primary cells to study JAK-STAT pathways or for drug screening purposes. The Entrepreneur Fellowship plays a critical role in supporting this journey from research to commercialization by providing essential expertise, resources, and opportunities for validation.
Mentor: Dr. med. Dr. sc. nat. Tobias Weiss
Yanan Zhang, a postdoctoral researcher at University Hospital Zurich, has focused on tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) for the past three years. Together with her team, she developed a multiomics-compatible liquid biopsy platform utilizing novel proprietary biomarkers expressed on EV surfaces and interiors. This platform enables highly sensitive, non-invasive diagnosis and monitoring of brain tumor malignancies directly from patient blood samples at early stages. Clinical validation at USZ/UZH has demonstrated the efficacy of EV-based circulating tumor markers for diagnosis and monitoring in both retrospective and prospective cohorts of brain tumor patients. The UZH Entrepreneur Fellowship is pivotal in bridging this innovative research to industrial applications.
Mentor: Prof. Andreas Maercker
Celestin Mutuyimana’s research expedition across Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania led to insightful conversations with psychotherapists, spiritual healers, traditional practitioners and trauma survivors, documented in a film project. These interactions underscored the urgent need for locally sourced mental health solutions that genuinely address the unique suffering and symptoms experienced by communities in the region. The development and integration of Homegrown Psychotherapy (HTG) and assessment tools aim to build trust in mental health services by offering culturally sensitive care tailored to local needs, enhancing treatment efficacy and client confidence. With the Entrepreneur Fellowship, he aims to translate University of Zurich research into community-focused products, thereby ensuring sustained viability and market relevance.
Mentor: Prof. David Tilley
Pardis Adams completed her PhD at the University of Zurich earlier this year. She is driven to apply her expertise in chemical and molecular science into a practical application. Her team has developed a novel approach closely resembling photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, integrating light absorption and electrolysis in a single step. This method has the potential to produce hydrogen at a competitive cost relative to fossil hydrogen. Pardis is eager to use her academic background to create societal impact through entrepreneurship and has already visited several entrepreneurship courses.
