Category Archives: People

Welcome to Ching Pin CHENG !

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Hi! I am Ching Pin Cheng, a new postdoc in Dr David Gatfield’s lab.

I was born and raised in Taiwan before moving to the US to complete my undergraduate and PhD studies. I have had a strong interest in RNA biology and translational control, especially in the context of evolution and the origin of life. I look forward to continuing my academic career in this completely new environment.

Outside the lab, I am a geography nerd who enjoys cycling, traveling the world, and learning about different cultures.

Welcome to Hanna Schwämmle !

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Hello everyone, my name is Hanna and I am joining the Vastenhouw group as a Postdoc.

I am from Germany and have recently completed my PhD in Geneva, where I worked on chromatin remodeling. In particular, I have been using omics technologies to uncover novel modulators of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeler complex. For my Postdoc, I am excited to start working on understanding the process of zygotic genome activation in the developing zebrafish embryo. 

Outside the lab, I enjoy going hiking and exploring the Swiss mountains. I love the summers here and like to meet friends for an afterwork dip in the lake Geneva! 

I’m looking forward to joining the CIG and meeting all of you!

Welcome to Charlotte Grometto !

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Hi everyone! My name is Charlotte Grometto, and I recently joined Nadine Vastenhouw’s lab as a technician for one year.

I grew up in Geneva and obtained my bachelor’s degree in Biology and my master’s degree in Molecular Plant Sciences at the Université de Genève (UNIGE). During my studies, I got very interested in the essential part technicians play in research and decided to look for a technician position after graduating. Before joining the CIG, I worked for ten months as a Research Technician in Plant Physiology at Universiteit Utrecht (UU) in the Netherlands. Through previous experiences, I discovered various subjects and approaches like phylogenetics, botany and microscopy, but I mostly worked on environmental stress responses in plants. I also encountered fascinating organisms of interest such as snakes, scorpions, Arabidopsis thaliana and potatoes!

For the year ahead, I am especially enthusiastic about working with Zebrafish for the first time. I will be contributing to Eleonora Perego’s project on gene movement during early embryonic development through live imaging and molecular techniques. I’m very excited to expand my understanding of transcriptional regulation along the way.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, listening to podcasts and trying out new fun hair colors whenever I get bored with the old one. I look forward to meeting you all!

Welcome to Goran Stanajic Petrovic !

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Hi everyone, my name is Goran Stanajic Petrovic. I’m a French postdoctoral fellow and I recently joined Prof. Benton’s team at the CIG. During my PhD I worked on the development of a new imaging agent derived from a natural snake toxin to improve the detection of renal cancer metastases, which allowed me to develop a strong background in toxinology, pharmacology and molecular engineering.

Outside the lab I’m passionate about entomology and botany, and I’m now excited to continue working on toxins from an entomological perspective by investigating how insects respond and develop resistance to broadly acting natural and synthetic chemicals. Through this work I hope to contribute to a better understanding of insects’ ecological specialization, and of population dynamics in the context of vector control and pest management.

When I’m not in the lab I’m usually hiking, doing nature photography or going on entomology and botany field expeditions (and yes, whether here or abroad, I always find time to enjoy local food and good vibes). Cheers!

Welcome to Manika Vij !

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My name is Manika Vij, and I recently joined Prof. Liliane Michalik’s team at UNIL. I have a background in molecular medicine and biotechnology, with a strong interest in applying data-driven approaches to better understand human skin wound healing. I am excited to be part of the team and to contribute to ongoing research activities, with the goal of translating scientific insights into innovations that improve clinical care and promote overall well-being. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends.