Tobias Hoch

Culmannstrasse 36 · 8006 Zürich · 079 567 90 34 · tobias@hoch.earth

Welcome to my page! Here, you will find all the relevant information on my professional experience, education, and my interests.

Download a PDF version of my CV here


Experience

Research Associate

Empa St. Gallen, Particles-Biology Interactions Lab

I am part of an industrial collaboration evaluating and comparing various nanoparticle-based drugs. We are characterizing the biological activity of these compounds using complex in vitro models. Furthermore, I am involved in an early-stage research project aimed at incorporating patient-derived tumor biopsies into an organ-on-a-chip platform.

2020 - 2021

Research Assistant

University of Zurich, Department of Quantitative Biomedicine, Bodenmiller Lab

I implemented spatial image analysis algorithms to relate high-dimensional single-cell data, that I generated during my time as a master student, to clinical patient data. I am also writing a manuscript together with a senior scientist to publish these findings (currently under revision). I regularly convened with collaborators from clinics to discuss the relevance of thisdata to patients.

2020 - 2021

Thesis Project

University of Zurich, Department of Quantitative Biomedicine, Bodenmiller Lab

I did an extensive experimental validation of RNA in situ hybridization targets for Imaging Mass Cytometry (IMC). I then integrated these targets with an antibody panel to investigate the immune landscape and the corresponding chemokine profile in melanoma patients. I also spearheaded a side project to investigate counter staining methods for IMC. The abstract of my thesis can be downloaded here.

2019 - 2020

Assistant to the director

Freunde der Galapgos Inseln Schweiz

I maintain the website with up-to-date information, thus I initiate communication and liaise between team members to gather relevant content.

2017 - 2020

Research internship

Kantonsspital St. Gallen, Experimental Oncology

I investigated the effect of newly synthetized proteasome inhibitors on different Multiple Myeloma cell lines and compared the effect of these new inhibitors with approved drugs using various techniques such as MTS assays, ABP labelling, and Flow Cytometry.

2017

Head of Accouting

Swiss Armed Forces, Infanterie Rekrutenschule 12

I was responsible for the accounting of an army training center in Chur. I also trained several quartermaster sergeant candidates in accounting and food supply.

2012

Mandatory Army Service

Swiss Armed Forces

I was responsible for the food and administrative issues of 200 military staff (company level).

2011

Commercial Apprenticeship

Lista Office AG

I gained experience in different departments in the company including customer service, marketing and accounting. I regularly authored reports, mentored junior apprentices and had the opportunity to interact with customers.

2008-2011

Education

University of Zurich

Master of Science in Quantitative Biology and Systems Biology
Department of Quantitative Biomedicine

Supervision | Prof. Dr. Bernd Bodenmiller and Dr. Daniel Schulz
Thesis | Characterization of Chemokine Expression in Metastatic Melanoma using Simultaneous Multiplexed mRNA and Protein Imaging by Mass Cytometry
Documents | Thesis Abstract


GPA | 5.9

2018 - 2020

University of Zurich

Bachelor of Science in Biomedicine

GPA | 5.3

2015 - 2018

Berufsmaturitätsschule KBZ und Passerellen-Lehrgang ISME, St. Gallen

attainment of university entrance qualifications
2013 - 2015

Kaufmännische Berufsschule, Herisau

Kaufmann EFZ
2008 - 2011

Skills

Programming Languages/Tools

Languages
  • German - Mother Tongue
  • English - Fluent
  • French - Intermediate
  • Italian - Basics

Computational Tools
  • Image Analysis (Ilastik, CellProfiler, Fiji)
  • Shiny Applications in R
  • Cloud Computing
  • LaTeX
  • MS Office Products

Life Science Tools
  • Imaging Mass Cytometry
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluorescent Microscopy
  • Cell Culture (2D and 3D)
  • Optical Emmission Spectroscopy
  • Dynamic Light Scattering
  • Pre-processing of human tissue samples for imaging (HIER)
  • RNA in situ hybridization
  • Gateway Cloning

Interests

I like to organize events where family and friends meet. I like to combine this passion with other interests like music. One of the results is an annual music festival that I organize with some childhood friends. I also enjoy traveling and learning about other cultures and their history. My favorite destination is Tuscany in Italy with its historical villages and excellent cuisine.


Publications

  • cytomapper: an R/Bioconductor package for visualisation of highly multiplexed imaging data
    Bioinformatics (2020)

  • Multiplexed Imaging Mass Cytometry of Chemokine Milieus in Metastatic Melanoma Characterizes Features of Response to Immunotherapy
    Science Immunology (2021, under review, BioRxiv pre-print )

Certifications

  • Creating and Publishing Websites, University of Zurich, Zentrale Informatik
  • Driving license, category B