Current Position

University of Zurich, Department of Geography
Zurich, Switzerland
PH.D. Student and Research Assistant
Geographic Information Visualization and Analysis (GIVA) Division

March 2004 to present
  • University of Zurich, Department of Geography
    Zurich, Switzerland
    Position: Ph.D. Candidate
    Advisor: Sabine Timpf
    Thesis topic: Landmark Salience for Human Navigation
    Ph.D. Coursework: Spatial Analysis, People-based GIScience, Spatial Data Infrastructures, Spatial Databases, Dynamic Route Planning, Visualization of Spatio-temporal Data, Geospatial data quality, Artificial Intelligence, Seminars in Spatial Cognition, Neural Mechanisms in Spatial Cognition
September 2000 to December 2002
  • University of Maine at Orono, Spatial Information Science and Engineering
    Orono, ME, USA
    Degree: M.S. in Spatial Information Science and Engineering, December 2002
    Major GPA: 3.8/4.0
    Advisor: Max J. Egenhofer
    Thesis topic: Sketch-based Queries in Mobile GIS Environments
April 1999 to March 2000
  • University of Applied Sciences Basel, (FHBB), Computer Science
    Muttenz, Switzerland
    Degree: B.S. Computer Science (Dipl. Ing. FH NDS), April 2000
    Advisor: Stephan Nebiker
    Thesis topic: A Java-based Client for Oracle 8i
Septmeber 1995 to December 1998
  • University of Applied Sciences, Basel, Geodesy and Surveying
    Muttenz, Switzerland
    Degree: B.S. Geodesy and Surveying (Dipl. Ing. HTL), December 1998
    Advisor: Bruno Spaeni
    Thesis topic: Customizing of a GIS for Municipalities
August 1990 to Juli 1994
  • Cavigelli and Partners, Ilanz, Switzerland
    Ilanz, Switzerland
    Apprenticeship as Land Surveyor (Eidg. Dipl. Vermessungszeichner), August 1994
    Vocational High School, Zurich, Switzerland
March 2003 to December 2003
  • IST - Intelligent Spatial Technologies and
    NCGIA - National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis
    Orono ME, USA
    Senior Software Developer
    Responsibilities range from technical management of Smart Map Project to research, design, and development of intelligent spatial technologies
April 2000 to August 2000
  • Geonova AG
    Muttenz, Switzerland
    Software Developer
    Activities included development and maintenance of database- and web-based applications for GIS, implementation and testing of software, and customer support
Juli 1994 to August 1995,
Summer 1996/97/98,
January to March 1999
  • Cavigelli and Partners
    Ilanz, Switzerland
    Land Surveyor
    Activities included leading a surveying team performing field work, cadastral and geodetic project management
Teaching Experience
  • University of Zurich, Department of Geography
    Zurich, Switzerland
    Advanced GIS course (GIS II)
    Winter 2004/05
    Responsible for introductory lessons and lab preparation and assistance
    Project Seminar (Projektsemniar)
    Summer 2005 and 2006
    Supervision of independent projects by groupd of students
    Advisory Work: Supervison of students working on diploma thesis
  • University of Maine at Orono, Spatial Information Science and Engineering
    Orono, ME USA
    Engineering Databases and Information Systems (SIE 451)
    Fall 2002
    Responsible for labs and the web-based part of the course
Academic Honors
  • University of Zurich, Department of Geography
    Zurich, Switzerland
    Teaching Assistantship, Winter 2004/2005
    Research Assistantship, January 2004 to August 2006
    Problem-solving knowledge for multi-modal wayfinding
    SNF Project Nr.: 2151-065291, 205120-101631, 205120-109621
  • University of Maine at Orono, Spatial Information Science and Engineering
    Orono ME, USA
    Teaching Assistantship, August 2001 to December 2002
    Research Assistantship, August 2000 to August 2001Spatial Sketches on a Palm Pilot, Funded by Lockheed & Martin
  • University of Applied Sciences, Basel, Geodesy and Surveying
    Muttenz, Switzerland
    Recipient Leica Award for best Diploma Thesis, January 1999
    LEICA Geosystems AG, Glattbrugg, Switzerland
    Thesis title: Customizing of a GIS for Municipalities