Q. As a professor of Applied Optics at ZHAW and with extensive experience in product development, how do you integrate academic research with practical applications in industry?

A. My work involves frequent collaborations with industry partners who either have a problem to solve or an idea to explore. Having an academic background, I can apply a scientific approach to the challenge and have the foundational knowledge to solve it. My experience in industry helps me understand the practical implications and requirements of an industrial partner. My role in translating cutting-edge technologies into practical solutions involves bridging the gap between academic research and real-world applications. This connection, however, is a two-way street. From industry, I gain insights into implementation and application details, which enrich my knowledge and make me appreciate the relevance of the academic research I do. These collaborations ensure that I stay in contact with the real word.

Q. How has your experience as a Senior Project Manager at both Mettler-Toledo AG and Bruker BioSpin AG influenced your approach to managing research and development projects within an academic environment? 

A.Some experiences remain with you forever. As a project manager in an industrial environment, you are accountable for the outcome of the project. In my academic environment, collaborating with industrial partners, I work in much the same way I did in the industrial environment: I feel a strong sense of responsibility for project management, remain conscious of stakeholders’ expectations, monitor the budget closely, and always keep the objective in sight. My industrial experience has had a direct and positive influence on my daily work.  

Q. In addition to your role as a researcher, you are also an entrepreneur. What motivated you to co-found TOELT Advanced AI Lab, and how does this entrepreneurial endeavour complement your academic and industry roles?

A. The decision to co-found my own company arose from the desire to apply the scientific method to AI research. As market demand for this approach became increasingly evident, I felt compelled to take on this challenge. The role of co-founder helped me understand both the excitement of having absolute freedom to shape the future of a company and the challenges of founding a start-up and maintaining its profitability. 

Q. We have already established how the foundation of the TOELT Advanced AL Lab has impacted your roles. Given EELISA’s focus on innovative teaching, how do you envision advanced technologies transforming the way lectures and educational programs are delivered?

A. Society is changing at an incredible pace, requiring those of us involved in shaping the future generation to constantly challenge our understanding of the key skills that young engineers will need and adjust our educational goals accordingly. Advanced technologies offer the opportunity to focus on activities at the higher cognitive levels in Bloom’s taxonomy. In other words, technologies should relieve students from mundane tasks and enable a boundary-less and inclusive learning environment. However, these technologies should not take over the critical and analytical thinking that students must develop. For me, the main focus should not be on how to use such advanced technologies, but rather on how they work “under the hood”. This way, the students will understand both the power and the limitations of such technologies, rather than using them blindly.