TechLabs is a wholly owned, Basel, Switzerland based subsidiary of The English Media Networks (TEMN). TechLabs mission is to deliver a fun, engaging, and educational experience that jump-starts young people’s and adults’ understanding of technology.
About Us
Meet the team
Joel Radvanyi – Founder/Instructor
Joel started TechLabs in January, 2016 to pursue his interest in helping to develop the next generation of digital savvy kids. Joel brings over 20 years of professional experience with programming, data science and institutional-scale technology solutions. He holds a Masters of Business Administration Degree from NYU’s Stern School of Business (1996) in Finance and Statistics, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Rutgers University in History and Political Science (1991).
Languages: EN, HU
Skills: Robotics, Coding, AI, Machine-Learning, 3D Design, Aerospace, Entrepreneurship
Josef Wiesholzer – Instructor
Josef has worked with kids and adolescents around the world, teaching in a high school in Peru, leading wilderness programs in the Canadian mountains and showing Japanese school kids how to ski. Back in his homeland the Alps, he helps TechLabs to make tomorrow’s education a reality today. He likes to share his fascination for technology and holds a BA in Social Work and a MSc in Neuroscience and Education.
Languages: EN, FR, DE
Skills: Robotics, Coding, AI, 3D Design
Ana Laura Rivarola – Instructor
Ana is a professional photographer, and has been working with multicultural children in Latin America, Asia and Europe. She has a four-year degree from university in Paraguay in Public Relations and Popular Education. She has been successfully integrating her knowledge of languages and interest in technology, photography and education as an instructor in the TechLabs program.
Languages: EN, DE, FR, IT, PT, SP
Skills: Robotics, Coding, 3D Design, Photography, Media
Deanna Iobbi – Operations & Content Director
Deanna has a masters degree in Mechanical Design Engineering and over 15 years industry experience where she specialized in harmonizing aesthetic design with human interface and technical function to develop new and exciting products. She brings her technical expertise in product design and passion for STEM to develop course content, organizational capability, and inspire the next generation of engineers.
Languages: EN, DE
Skills: Robotics, Coding, Engineering, 3D Design
Victoria Wotherspoon – Instructor
Victoria is an experienced teacher who has taught children in primary and secondary schools in the UK, Japan and Switzerland. She has recently completed a Diploma in Strategic Social Media Marketing and is exploring the possibilities offered by new technologies to support children and parents with their learning.
Languages: EN, DE
Skills: Coding, Robotics, Social Media, 3D Design and Printing
Faysal Saber – Instructor
Faysal graduated in 2014 with a double BSc degree in Electrical Engineering and Communications from Loughborough University (UK) and The British University in Egypt with First Class Honours. Upon graduation, he worked for 3 years as Teaching Assistant at the Faculty of Engineering. Currently, continuing his studies in the domain of Computer Science at the University of Geneva. Joined TechLabs in 2018, he has been teaching STEM subjects to different age groups for the past 5 years.
Languages: EN, FR, AR
Skills: Coding, Engineering, Robotics, AI, ML, 3D Design & Engineering
Miles Prinzen – Instructor
Miles has been tinkering with computers from a young age, always fascinated to pick up new tech-related knowledge. Growing up in Melbourne, he scored in the top 2% for VCE Software Development before returning to his home town of Basel in 2014. Miles is currently reading for a Bachelor of Physics at the Universität Basel, continuing to study programming as a part of his degree.
Languages: EN, DE, GSW
Skills: Robotics, Coding, Engineering and Circuitry, Physics
Christopher Wachtler – Instructor
Chris grew up bilingually (German and English) in Basel. Since a young age he’s had an avid interest in technology which carried on into adulthood. Currently he’s reading for a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and History, specializing in Digital Humanities (digitalisation of sources in History, map making and statistics in Geography) at the University of Basel. Chris has been an instructor at TechLabs since Autumn 2016 and previously worked as an intern at a bilingual school.
Languages: EN, DE, GSW
Skills: Robotics, Coding, Statistics
Gabor Kosa – Instructor
Gabor is an Eng. PhD in mechanical engineering from the Technion in Haifa-Israel. Post- doc in the Computer Vision Laboratory at ETH Zurich, leading the biomedical micro-systems group. He is also a senior lecturer at the School of Mechanical Engineering in Tel Aviv University. Currently he lives in Switzerland and works as senior scientist in the Intelligent Medical Micro/Nano Systems Group in University Hospital of Basel.
Languages: EN, HU, IW
Skills: Robotics, Microrobotics, Coding, Micro and Nano Systems
Laurent Naegelen – Instructor
Laurent is a former mechanical engineer graduated from PolyTech Nancy in France. He has over twenty years of STEM teaching experience in the French public school system. Crazy 3D printing nerd, he loves the way good design can change a life. Big NBA fan, he likes the Spurs motto: Team before individual! Same with engineering process!
Languages: EN, FR, DE
Skills: Coding, Robotics, 3D Design, 3D Printing, Invention, STEM guru
Dina Saber – Instructor
Dina has been tutoring young students in different languages since high school. Currently, she is pursuing a BSc in Economics and Management at the University of Geneva. Joined techlabs to combine her passion for teaching and discovering new technologies.
Languages: EN, FR, AR
Skills: Robotics, Coding, AI, ML, AR/VR
Hadrien Oppikofer – Instructor
Born in Geneva, lieutenant in the Swiss Army (hospital soldier), student at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland studying business technology. Since he was a child, he has always wanted to share his knowledge with others. This attitude inspired him first to be an instructor in the army, then, to be a mentor for children who have lost motivation in school, and of course to be a very happy Techlabs’ Instructor.
Languages: EN, FR
Skills: Coding, Robotics, Circuits & Engineering
Estelle Allemann – Instructor
Estelle has been interested in new technologies since a young age which has led her to study engineering sciences in high school for 3 years. Also passionate about languages, she has taught German and English classes to children in France. Currently, next to TechLabs, she’s pursuing a BSc in International Relations at the University of Geneva to be able to combine all of her interests. In the future she hopes to work in the field of children’s rights.
Languages: EN, FR, DE
Skills: Coding, Robotics, 3D Design, 3D Printing
Samiksha Mahajan- Instructor
Samiksha is double Masters in Computer Science and Computer Science Philosophy from India. She worked as an Assistant Professor at the University of Mumbai and also has industry experience at Tata Consultancy Services ltd. India. In Basel she works as cover teacher at the International School Of Basel. She joined TechLabs in 2019 to combine her passion for teaching and discovering new technologies to inspire the next generation of engineers. In her spare time she pursues her passion for art and photography.
Languages: EN, HI
Skills: Coding, Robotics , AR/VR, ML
Frederic Leoni – Instructor
Frederic has an engineering degree in Environment from ESAIP and a MBA in Finance from GGSB. He worked for 10 years in the automotive industry as a process engineer and a project manager. He spent 5 years as a teacher in China, France and Switzerland. After he completed his Certificate of Open Studies in data sciences and machine learning from EPFL he developed a further interest in coding and robotics.
He is currently working in TechLabs Geneva and in his spare time he likes to bike around the lake and in the Alps around Geneva.
Languages: EN, FR
Skills: Robotics, Coding, AI, VR
Fatou-Maty Diouf
From a multicultural, international background and with professional training in IT, Computer Graphics and Educational technology, Fatou is passionate about finding the synergies between technology, art, entertainment and education. Fatou is dedicated to working with young people. She finds teaching to be the perfect opportunity to share her enthusiasm for STE(A)M with the next generation. As a Lifelong learner, she already holds a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science coordinated with Studio Arts (USA), a 2D/3D Animation Diploma (Canada) and is currently finishing a Master of Science in Learning and Teaching Technologies (Switzerland).
Languages: EN, FR, SP
Skills: Robotics, Coding, 3D Design, CG, Animation, Fabrication, AR/VR
