- A Step Aside
After the PhD Booster, the varied careers of young scientists
An exercise in popularising science, the PhD Booster offers communication coaching to PhD students in life sciences from the faculties of medicine and science. And the icing on the cake: each year, the five best students win a grant that they can use to attend a conference, take a specialised training or do an internship in another lab. Since 2018, dozens of them have taken part. As the 7th edition is on the way, let's take a look back at the careers of five prize-winners with different profiles and backgrounds: Ida Calvi, a post-doctoral researcher at a Basel research institute, Bartosz Gdaniec, who has joined a pharmaceutical company, Camille Kowalski, a specialist in pre-clinical trials in industry, Beat Möckli, senior clinical associate in surgery, and Nisheet Patel, an inventer active in start-ups.
Issue 52 - March 2025
漏 Catherine Bulliard, UNIGE
Ida Calvi, post-doctoral researcher, Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research
After completing my PhD, I joined the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research in Basel for a post-doctorate. I am currently working on understanding the signalling pathways that regulate placental development. This work has important implications for developmental biology, human reproduction and clinical research.
The impact of the PhD Booster?
The PhD Booster really strengthened my communication skills. Furthermore, the grant I won enabled me to present my work at international conferences and take part in workshops, which are key to expanding my network! The Booster is also an opportunity to share our research with a wider audience and to stimulate curiosity and enthusiasm for science.
Geneva and the UNIGE: your experience as a PhD student?
Even though the PhD path can be difficult, I have always felt supported, both by my research team and by the PhD school. The UNIGE offers excellent mentoring, state-of-the-art facilities and access to many international collaborations. Beyond my own research project, I also really enjoyed taking part in a number of initiatives, such as the i-Teams programme, which teaches how to set up a business model and work towards industrial development. All in all, it was an incredibly enriching experience.
Bartosz Gdaniec, field medical expert, Exeltis
Like many others, I started my PhD with the idea of pursuing a career in academia. After all, research is where discoveries are made, and where curiosity knows no bounds! But I realised that science wasn't just about discovering the unknown, it was also about bringing those discoveries to life to have a real impact outside the lab's walls. Hence my interest in industry, where innovation becomes reality. I started out as a scientific advisor to a biotech company, immersing myself in the constantly evolving world of applied science. Today, I work for a pharmaceutical company, where I act as a link between cutting-edge therapies and the medical community. I believe that real progress happens at the intersection of science, policy and industry - when collaboration replaces competition and knowledge is shared rather than compartmentalised.
The impact of the PhD Booster?
The PhD Booster was a real turning point. It enabled me to meet some exceptional scientists and helped me discover new horizons that changed my view of what science could be. In practical terms, I was also able to finance a post-doc at Oxford - a springboard that led to my first job in industry. Looking back, I can see the extent to which Booster has shaped my career path, not only by opening doors, but also by giving me the confidence to go through them.
Geneva and the UNIGE: your experience as a PhD student?
Moving to a new city and entering an intellectually demanding environment was both exhilarating and daunting. There were sleepless nights, moments of doubt and even an existential crisis after a failed experiment. I had the privilege of working with exceptional mentors, whose advice played a decisive role in shaping my scientific thinking. Geneva is also a place of international energy, breathtaking scenery and quiet charm. I've made friendships that have stood the test of time and found joy in the little moments: walks by the lake, the mountains on the horizon and the comforting predictability of Swiss efficiency (except for shopping after 6pm). And if there's one final lesson I've learned, it's this: fondue isn't just a dish. It's a social contract. If you lose your bread in the fondue pot, you'll pay the price. Life, like a good fondue, requires balance, patience and a steady hand. And above all, it's best enjoyed in good company.
Camille Kowalski, Associate scientist, preclinical safety, Debiopharm
I joined the pharmaceutical industry as a clinical operations specialist, before moving on to a position more focused on preclinical safety research (the study of the pharmacological and toxicological effects of new compounds prior to human trials). This very stimulating role allows me to apply my scientific expertise to help guarantee the safety of future drugs. I'm particularly interested in predictive toxicology using computational models or organ-on-chip technology.
The impact of the PhD Booster?
The PhD Booster enabled me to improve my communication skills, which are essential for communicating scientific data and ideas effectively. I was also able to fund a certification course that gave me an insight into the organisation of pharmaceutical companies and the complexity of clinical trials. This gave me an in-depth understanding of the regulations governing these trials - particularly useful in my current role! I've also kept in touch with the foundation that sponsored my prize and I regularly meet other prize-winners. That's how we're building our network!
Geneva and the UNIGE: your experience as a PhD student?
Transformative! And, like a rollercoaster, with its ups and downs! I was able to acquire a solid grounding in research methodology and critical thinking in an environment conducive to learning. I also had the opportunity to supervise students, which was a very rewarding experience! Even though I'm not from the region, the fact that I'm French-speaking made it easier for me to adapt. Furthermore, the support of the members of the UNIGE students' associations played an essential role in my integration. As for life in Geneva, its proximity to the lake and mountains makes it a paradise for outdoor activities.
Beat Möckli, senior clinical associate in surgery, HUG
After my PhD, I completed my specialisation in general surgery at the HUG. A fellowship as senior clinical assoicate enabled me to devote 50% of my time to basic and translational research in addition to my clinical duties. I have also finalised the publication of the results of my main research project. And I'm off to the Mayo Clinic in the United States for a post-doctoral fellowship in complex hepatobiliary oncology and transplant surgery. I then hope to return to Geneva as a physican-researcher, to combine high-level clinical practice with translational research.
The impact of the PhD Booster?
The PhD Booster enabled me to strengthen my key skills, particularly in data analysis, and to improve my ability to deal with complex datasets. The award also provided me with training opportunities, such as the Radiation Protection course at PSI, and enabled me to present my research at international conferences such as the European Liver Congress (EASL), where I received an award for best abstract and best oral presentation. Thanks to the Booster Prize, I was also able to visit UCLA and the AV短视频 of Toronto to gain new knowledge and be exposed to a very inspiring mindset.
Geneva and the UNIGE: your experience as a PhD student?
I benefited enormously from the multidisciplinary environment of the Faculty of Medicine. Being part of Christian Toso's laboratory gave me a unique opportunity to integrate basic science with translational research and to strengthen my academic rigour and critical thinking. Even today, I benefit from the network that I developed during my PhD. In addition, the facilities at the UNIGE have enabled me to carry out high-quality research with the help of leading specialists. And more personally, coming from Zurich, I found life in Geneva welcoming and dynamic, with its unique blend of international culture and Swiss tradition. I particularly appreciate the proximity of nature, with the Alps and the Jura, and of course the lake, a must in summer!
Nisheet Patel, Machine Learning Engineer, Phantasma Labs
I'm currently working as a machine learning engineer at Phantasma Labs, a Berlin-based startup developing machine learning solutions for smart factories. At the same time, I'm developing Axy, a startup aiming to transform the way scientific knowledge is discovered and shared, and we've already achieved significant traction. The dynamic start-up environment really excites me, and that's where I see my future - building technology solutions that will have a real impact on science.
The impact of the PhD Booster?
The Booster gave me external validation of my scientific communication skills - something I've always enjoyed. This boost in confidence led me to give master's and PhD level courses on advanced behaviour modelling. Thanks to the grant I won, I was able to take advanced courses in software design and architecture that turned me from an academic coder into a much more competent developer - which is now crucial for all the machine learning developments I'm working on. I also took part in the summer course on deep learning and reinforcement learning at Mila (the Institut québécois d'intelligence artificielle) in Montreal, where I had the opportunity to talk to leading figures in the field, including Turing Award winner Yoshua Bengio. Between the validation of skills, the opportunities and the financial support, the Booster is a powerful tool for professional development.
Geneva and the UNIGE: your experience as a PhD student?
Coming from India, with a master's degree from ETH Zurich, Geneva was for me a unique blend of international culture and academic excellence. The lab of Alex Pouget, my PhD supervisor, was an exceptional intellectual playground, particularly with our victory in the Meta AI robotics competition and the publication of articles in leading journals such as Nature Neuroscience. Life in Geneva is particularly lively in summer, with the lake, mountains and countless outdoor activities. In winter, you need to escape to the nearby mountains to enjoy the sun! However, its international character makes it a very welcoming place.
