My life/work motto
Make a difference.
My research
I have more than 20 years of experience in experimental and translational medicine and am recognized as an expert in translational hemostasis and thrombosis. My laboratory has discovered novel hemostasis pathways that are also relevant to thrombosis. One of these pathways provided clinically relevant biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In addition, my laboratory made important discoveries about the mechanisms of hemostasis regulation. One of these led to the development of a drug for the treatment of hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.
My particular skills/experiences
Hematology (clinical/laboratory diagnostics): Focus: Hemostasis/thrombosis; Member of the National Research Council (Biology and Medicine Division) and the Careers Committee of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF); President of the Ambizione Evaluation Commission for Biology and Medicine (preventive medicine/clinically active researchers), SNSF; Member of the National Expert Commission of the National MD-PhD Program; Member of the Senate of the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMS); Member of the Board of the Swiss Society for Hematology; Member of the Working Party Hemostasis of the Swiss Society for Hematology; Member of the Center Management of the Bern Center for Precision Medicine (BCPM), University of Bern; Member of the HAEMOSTASEOLOGY Program Committee of the German Society for Hematology and Medical Oncology (DGHO); Deputy Director of the Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern.
My measures to promote diversity
From 2011 to 2013, I was president of the Commission for the Academic Advancement of Women at the Faculty of Biology and Medicine at the University of Lausanne. At the end of 2020, the University Clinic for Hematology and Central Hematology Laboratory had 113 employees of 21 different nationalities (and almost as many languages and cultures), with women making up 75% of the workforce. It includes 12 female senior physicians, including 2 chief physicians and 2 senior physicians, and 5 of the 6 members of the clinic management team are women. Overall, women make up 52.4% of the senior staff.
However, the concept of diversity goes far beyond gender equality: it encompasses acceptance and respect and means understanding that every person is unique and recognizing our individual differences. I am constantly learning to improve my leadership skills in order to deal with diversity and make better use of it to promote excellence. In my networks, I constantly try to convince colleagues that diversity is good and must be supported in order to promote excellence.
My recommendations for young female researchers on the academic career path
- Never give up and stay on course
- Don't let power games influence you
- Regardless of the situation, always remain honest
