Learning to Understand Cancer Better
Learning to Understand Cancer Better
In 2014, I was asked by a business manager from one of the top 10 pharma companies to build and deliver a 2 day course in oncology, aimed at all non-oncologists, to get everyone in the same page.
In 2024, the start-up I co-created embarked on a super exciting research project on drug delivery in immuno-oncology.
How can cancer research and cancer education benefit each other most?
Answering this question is what Learning to understand cancer is all about.
Loroch Communication and Training in Life Sciences (Loroch CTLS) has been offering biotech proficiency courses to the global life science community since 2006 . Some 2000 professionals from nearly 200 companies have attended our courses: scientists and non-scientists, representing all functions in Pharma, Biotech and Medtech companies.
Loroch Biological Proficiency courses act as conceptual toolboxes that demystify the foundations of life sciences and biotechnology, explain key scientific terms and help all non-biologists become proactive when facing issues that have a strong biological or biotech component. In a sense, our courses play the role of a “driving school”, enabling any non-biologist – scientist or another professional – to better navigate the worlds of life sciences and biotechnology.
I am a teacher in life sciences and a recent researcher in oncology. I hold a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of California at Santa Cruz, USA and have carried out postdoctoral research at the University of Geneva.
I have a 30 year-long experience teaching in a number of domains: medical and non-medical biology, classical and molecular genetics, all flavors of biotechnology, drug development, medical information management, and health promotion and prevention. In the last thirty years, I have participated in a variety of educational projects driven by schools, universities or private initiatives. In the course of this work, I always strived to understand what lies at the heart of effective science education. By so doing, I eventually developed an original, transdisciplinary teaching method that applies to any non-biologist, ranging from a secondary school student to a seasoned PhD-level scientist.
As the CEO of Loroch CTLS, I have been offering rapid biology and biotech courses aimed at any professional active in pharma, biotech, medtech, food and cosmetics industries, environmental sciences, agriculture, engineering, academic research, politics, and the fight against doping.
In 2021, I co-founded Novochizol SA (www.novochizol.ch), a biotech startup developing chitosan nanoparticle-based technology for targeted drug delivery in immunooncology and other disease areas where localized drug action is important. As the CEO ( and future CSO) of the company, I do my best to maintain my knowledge in oncology and drug delivery sciences.
I am the co-author of Biotechnology for Beginners, an award-winning textbook for all students of biotechnology (Elsevier – Academic Press, 5-th German edition, 2-d and 3-d English editions: 2017- 2023).
