Dr. Stefan Tuchschmid, CEO
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Stefan Tuchschmid received a Masters degree in electrical engineering from the ETH Zurich, Switzerland in 2005. To finance his undergraduate studies and in order to get some real business experience, Stefan founded his first and still-existing company netpictures.ch in 2001 when he was 22. He wrote his PhD thesis entitled "High Fidelity Surgical Simulator for Hysteroscopy" at the Computer Vision Lab of the ETH Zurich (2005-2010) and is winner of the MICCAI Young Scientist Award 2007, Venture Leader 2008 and first prize winner of Venture Kick and similar business plan competitions. As any other serious entrepreneur, Stefan is passionate about bringing ideas to life and products to market.
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Daniel Bachofen, CTO
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After his studies in Information Technology between 2000-2003 at the University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) in Winterthur, Daniel Bachofen joined the Computer Vision Lab of ETH Zurich. He became the main software developer and had his share in making VirtaMed come alive. He knows the hysteroscopy simulator inside out and has excellent knowledge of all developed modules. As lecturer and research assistant in computer graphics at the ZHAW, Daniel Bachofen has a particularly strong background in 3D visualization. His detailed know-how of the hysteroscopy simulator and competence in computer graphics will boost current and future simulator projects to the highest possible level. Daniel likes to push his own limits by taking a tour with his motorcycle. |
Dr. Denis Steinemann, CSO
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Denis Steinemann leads the software development and research since he joined VirtaMed in 2008 as Chief Scientific Officer, right after obtaining his PhD from the Computer Graphics Laboratory at ETH Zürich. Denis is an expert in physically-based simulation, computer graphics and game technology, which represent the foundations of virtual reality surgical simulators. Denis’ focused functioning and his will to constantly push his own boundaries incite him not only to great ideas and hard work for new technical developments, but also to play hard in outdoor adventures such as crossing Greenland on skis or cycling across the Alps. |
Asta Breitenmoser, Marketing Manager
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Asta Breitenmoser has gained eight years of experience in Marketing, Communications and Public Relations. Her passion for writing translates into broad know-how when it comes to editorial and media work, articles, web texts and newsletters. During her studies of International Business in Florida, USA, she adapted to a multinational environment. Currently, she is pursuing her Master in Writing & Corporate Publishing in sideline additional studies. Due to her open and cheerful personality, Asta likes to approach and interact with people from various cultural backgrounds. Recently, she has worked for big players in the financial industry. Now, she is excited to feel the energy, motivation and entrepreneurship of a fast-growing start-up with meaningful and most ethical products she can truly connect to. |
Rick Hoedt, Director Business Development
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Rick Hoedt is the Business Development Director and responsible for developing and maintaining customer relationships and sales figures. Entering the world of work after graduating from The Riverside High School and the Kantonsschule Zug, he successfully started out in the IT consultancy sector. To put his skills to better use in the sales and business development field, Rick joined Canon, initially as Regional Sales Consultant in Scotland and was soon promoted to Key Account Manager for Canon Switzerland. After eight years, he was keen to further expand his horizons, and is very excited to join the team at VirtaMed. Rick is married and has a young family who keep him busy. He also enjoys playing football, golf and skiing.
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Benjamin Grauer, Software Engineer
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After his studies of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at the ETH Zurich, Benjamin Grauer joined VirtaMed in August 2008. During his Masters program he worked on numerous projects for the hysteroscopy simulator since 2005. He wrote his Masters thesis on medical visualization at the Harvard University. His interest in interactive 3D simulations started with the development of orxonox.net, a project where he guided and supervised several groups of students in a practical course at the ETH. At VirtaMed, Benjamin is responsible for framework design, graphical user interfaces, software security, and much more. To counterbalance the long days in front of a computer monitor, he airs his brain by excessive mountain biking.
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Dominik Berner, Software Engineer
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Dominik Berner got his Engineers Degree in Information Technology at the University of Applied Science (ZHAW) in Winterthur where he continued to work for five years in Research&Development. During this time he gained a large background in software design and engineering as well as experience in agile software development. He came in contact with VirtaMed and the interesting field of medical simulation which went well with his high interest in computer graphics. Since he joined the VirtaMed team in 2011 he uses his skills to design and develop the framework for the next generation of surgical simulators. He refreshes his mind and body when climbing up steep walls or hiking the Swiss mountains. |
Basil Fierz, Software Engineer
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Basil Fierz received his Master degree in computer science from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ). In graduate studies he focused on 3D graphics programming and parallel programming. Currently, Basil is doing his doctoral studies in the field of physically based real-time simulation. During this work he got in contact with VirtaMed and joined the team in January 2012. Now he works on providing visually pleasing and highly realistic next generation surgical simulations. In his spare time he enjoys Latin dancing and martial arts. |
Alexandre Proietti, Software Engineer
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Alexandre Proietti joined VirtaMed a few months after receiving his engineering degree in computer science at the University of Technology Belfort-Montbéliard (FR) where he graduated in 2010. During the two last years of his studies, he focused on image processing, virtual reality and human–computer interaction. Before he joined VirtaMed, Alexandre worked on a nuclear dismantling simulator for the “Commissariat à l'énergie atomique” (CEA) in France. Thanks to this experience he is able to add a new set of skills to the team and to be creative in finding solutions for upcoming challenges. Off work, he is a real music lover and enjoys putting on his shoes for a nice run – or to go skiing during winter times. |
Daniel Grauer, 3D Artist
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Daniel Grauer is the 3D Artist at VirtaMed and thus responsible for realistic, high-quality visualizations, textures and graphics. As an autodidact the passionate gamer excelled in learning everything about 3D modeling by himself. What began as a hobby soon developed into a learning project: Before joining VirtaMed, Daniel worked for three years with a team on various modifications to a popular game, created vegetation, buildings and vehicles. His self-taught knowledge includes the graphic software Autodesk Maya, Blender, Photoshop and Gimp. If Daniel is not in front of a computer screen, the calm and easygoing character unleashes his physical energy by training martial arts and boxing or by swimming. |
Carolyn O'Brien, Hardware Engineer
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Carolyn studied Aerospace Engineering at MIT in Massachusetts, after which she came to Zurich to study Mechanical Engineering at ETH Zurich. Shifting her focus to medical and rehabilitation engineering, she wrote her Master's thesis on the use of electrode arrays in Functional Electrical Stimulation with the Neuroprostethis Control Group. Her interest in embedded electronics and hardware design started at MIT and continued on through her Master's thesis. Carolyn, as hardware engineer, is responsible for hardware development and adaptation, alongside production, support and repair. Outside of VirtaMed, Carolyn enjoys baking cakes and then cycling to burn off the extra calories consumed. |
David Schmidt, Electronics Engineer
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David Schmidt was born in Germany, but grew up and lived in Italy since his 13th birthday. As he had always been interested in machines and technical equipment, he studied at the technical college in Fano, Italy in the field of electronics and telecommunication. After two years of doing electronic installations on yachts, he is now responsible for the production and repairs of sophisticated medical devices at VirtaMed. He also ships training simulators and spare parts to clients around the world. His weakness for electronics and mechanics also influences David in his free time: tinkering with computers or his Enduro is his favorite pastime. In the winter season, he enjoys snowboarding – one of the reasons for coming to Switzerland. |
Martina Göldi, Office Manager
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Martina Göldi manages the office and covers the
CEO’s back. She is the one putting all the strings together and creating
a tidy order in a lively and busy environment with few existing rules
or processes. She has large experience in Office Management,
Administration and as Management Assistant. Her professional background
includes “growing up” with a start-up company as well as working for a
private bank. After Martina’s commercial apprenticeship she studied
further via visiting courses in Marketing/Communications at SAWI and in
banking at FSBZ. She is a young mother and lightens up the technical
VirtaMed world with her sunny personality. |
Ronald Suhner, Marketing Intern
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Ronald Suhner joined the VirtaMed team in April 2012 for a marketing internship. One of his main tasks is to organize VirtaMed’s presence at medical conferences around the world and present the latest innovations. At the same time he is studying business administration at the Lucerne University of Applied Science. Before he started working for VirtaMed, he gained experience in a group practice and in the touristic as well as in the gastronomic field. As a passionate cook he likes to invite his friends and colleagues and pamper them with his culinary creations. During his free time, he enjoys spending time at the Lake Constance, where he lives. |
Riccardo Roveri, Intern Software Engineering
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In September 2011, Riccardo Roveri finished his Bachelor studies in Computer Science at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ), where he had the chance of being introduced to the software engineering and computer graphics fields. After completing a five months internship focused on the development of android tablet and mobile device applications, Riccardo joined VirtaMed as an intern in software engineering. Before coming to Zurich, he grew up and lived in sunny Lugano. If Riccardo is not at the office or at the university, there is nothing he would like better than to play a basketball match with friends. |
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