WSL Institut pour l’étude de la neige et des avalanches SLF

Main Interests

As an engineer I develop technical solutions and design experiments for measuring snow and ice. I am the head of the SLF cold laboratories where I develop instruments (e.g. SnowMicroPen), maintain control systems (LabVIEW) or support experiments. And supported by my long experience in harsh mountainous terrain, I regularly plan, consult and conduct snow physics field campaigns in polar regions.

Developed and Maintained Instruments

  • SnowMicroPen
  • X-ray tomography scanners
  • Instrumented X-ray sample holders (micro-compression stage, snow metamorphism stage)
  • Snow maker
  • Friction tester
  • Polarized light microscopy stage
  • Microscopes
  • Wind tunnel

Field Campaigns
2020

Arctic expedition, MOSAiC, Polarstern, (led by AWI)
2016-2020 Field Campaign, ESA-SnowLab, Davos, (led by Gamma RS)
2018 Antarctica expedition, Dome C, (led by IPEV)
2017 Greenland expedition, (led by GEUS)
2014 Co-organizer "Intercomparison Snow Grain Size Measurement Workshop", Davos, (led by SLF)
2010 Commissioning of the Friction Tester at Bridgestone Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
2009 Field campaign ESA-NoSREx, Sodankylä, Finland, (led by FMI)
2008 Field campaign Winter Tire Tests, Ulrichen, (led by ADAC)

Committees
2021-... WSL Radiation protection commissioner
2010-... SLF Chemical safety commissioner
2010-2012 WSL Staff committee member

Education
2004-2007 Mechanical Engineer FHNW with specialization in energy engineering, University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Windisch
1999-2003 Apprenticeship as physical laboratory assistant, Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Villigen

Advanced Training
2022 Certificate in Advanced English (CAE, C1)
2021 SUVA course: Radiation protection expert for the use of systems with full and partial protection equipment
2014 Course: Modern motion mechanics and direct drive technology, Parkem MotionControl, Baden-Dättwil
2012 Russian language course (A1)
2011 Course: Safety when handling hazardous chemicals, SGU, ETH Zurich
2010 Certified LabVIEW Developer, National Instruments, Ennetbaden
2010 Course: Customs, practical exercises in drawing up complete shipping and customs documents, School for International Business, Zurich
2009 Media training, Elkman Communications GmbH, Ellinor v. Kauffungen, Davos
2008 Advanced training for computer tomograph operation, Scanco Medical, Brüttisellen

Publications