Meet Ivan B.

Where did you study?
I took my degree in Biology in the University of Bologna in Italy. In 2005 I obtained a PhD in Neurophysiology in the same University with a study about the computerized 3D reconstruction of brains of non-human primates.

In which Roche location are you currently working?
I am working in Basel site in the department of CNS in the lab of Dr. Knoflach. The location is great starting from the lab, where I found a stimulating environment, to the city, a quiet and nice Swiss town.

Why did you decide to join the Roche RPF program?
I decided to join the RPF program as a consequence of a decision; a choice between the University and the Pharmaceutical Industry. The RPF program is the bridge between these two worlds and allowed me to bring my knowledge to Roche and at the same time to access the competences and the knowledge inside the company.

What is your current assignment?
Currently I am involved in a very interesting project: The study of the network oscillations in the brain using an in-vitro animal model and a new high resolution microelectronic device. It is a very complex and high-level work that requires specific competences ranging from electrophysiology to computer programming. I am responsible of this project since the beginning of it, designing it from scratch. My daily activities are very diverse. The experimental part is only the top of the iceberg, the data analysis, the software maintenance, the preparation of the data for presentations are the rest of the work.

What makes it such a great job?
It is a great job thanks to the enormous possibilities that a big Pharmaceutical company as Roche can offer to us. I have access to the best of the knowledge of the company, and I have access to the best of the equipment on the market . All these things make the job here very satisfying and successful.

How has the RPF helped you in your career?
The RPF program helped me because it provided me with excellent tools that I couldn’t find in the academic environment. It helped me to cross the bridge between the academic career and the company career.

Please complete the following sentence:
Roche is a great place to work because it offered me many possibilities to grow up in my career and to develop and integrate my scientific preparation.

How would you describe the people working here?
People in Roche are very friendly and collaborative.

What would you advise PhD’ seekers who want to join us?
Roche is a big Pharmaceutical Company that offers a high-evel research environment. The RPF program is the privileged access to this world. I would advise the PhD’ seekers to consider the RPF program as a great opportunity for their scientific career. Roche offers a stimulating environment and let us to develop our projects using state-of-the-art technologies and techniques in research.