After a sound business education at commercial college, I’ve turned to Molecular Biology for my Bachelor and Master Degree. During my PhD at the Graz University of Technology I’ve focused on biotechnological solutions for the industry using the enzyme ‘Alternative Pig Liver Esterase’ which is now commercialized as ‘PharmaPLE’ by the company DSM.
Following a short Post-Doc period at the Applied Biocatalysis research centre I’ve joined a biopharmaceutical start-up working as a Senior Post-Doc on Protein Engineering and gathering experience in this vibrant and exciting surrounding.
Having collected more experience I’ve wanted to combine both my commercial and scientific background and thus joined the Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (acib) as a Research Manager. During this work the job gradually developed further from the initial project management and coordination role. Due to increasing contacts with industrial partners and the need of finding solutions for financing interesting projects it lead to taking over business development and to the position of Director of Business Development & Fundraising at acib.
Now I’m improving the market position of acib, achieving financial growth, identify business and funding opportunities, build key customer relationships and negotiate/close business deals.