Hanna Grothe
Hanna is writing her master’s thesis between the Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics (LBB) at ETH Zürich and the CHEMINA Lab at EPFL. She was born close to Berlin, where she completed her bachelor in Biosystems Technology and Bioinformatics. There, she discovered her passion for biosensing, which she wanted to apply in the medical field. That’s why she started her master’s programme in molecular medicine, where she fell in love with neurons. So combining her both passions, Hanna is currently working on nanoscale biosensors to detect multiple neurotransmitters. Besides of that, she is active in scientific communication and writes scripts for a podcast to bring science closer to general public. She also loves hiking and baking and could probably live exclusively on chocolate.
Marta Nikić
As a visiting PhD student from Technical University Munich, Marta joined CHEMINA in September 2024. Previously, she earned her master degree in physics at the University of Zagreb, Croatia before moving to Munich, Germany to pursue a more biosensing- and microfabrication-based continuation of her education. Her research focuses on the possible implementation of nanoparticles in biosensing approaches, but also includes micro and macro electrode fabrication. During her stay at EPFL, she will combine aptamers and metal nanoparticles and try to exploit their specific electrochemical and physical properties to facilitate an easy readout of the sensing strategy. In her free time, Marta loves to go hiking or visiting different cities, with emphasis on trying out different cuisines.
Kevin Roost
Kevin is currently working on his Master’s thesis, splitting his time between the Laboratory of Biosensors and Bioelectronics (LBB) at ETH Zurich and the Biointerfaces Laboratory at EMPA St. Gallen. He started his academic journey studying Biochemistry at the University of Zurich for his Bachelor’s degree before moving on to ETH Zurich for his Master’s in Health Sciences and Technology. His current project focuses on precisely patterning hydrogels with aptamers to construct an interactive 3D microenvironment tailored for cellular interactions. Outside of his studies, Kevin seeks adrenaline-fueled thrills in activities like freeskiing, motorcycling, and hiking/mountaineering. But when he needs to unwind, he uses creative outlets like digital art, including photography, videography, and animation, which also serve as a platform for his science communications pursuits, as he’s keen on connecting complex fields of expertise with the public.
Jiamin Yang
Jiamin is conducting her summer research program at the CHEMINA Lab through the “EPFL Excellence in Engineering” program. Originally from China, Jiamin holds a bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Zhejiang University and is pursuing her master’s degree in medicine at the Institute of Pharmaceutics at Zhejiang University. Her master’s project focuses on using engineered bacteria to control the release of proteins for disease treatment. Her academic journey has led her to develop a deep interest in integrating innovative technologies with practical healthcare solutions. Currently, Jiamin is focused on advancing aptamer-based diagnostic tools in the neurological field. In her spare time, Jiamin dives into books, ponders their mysteries and reflect on what she has read. She is also bravely tackling the guitar and she loves to grow flowers.