Meet our team
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Languages: 🇬🇧 🇭🇺
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).
Superpower: Chief Inspiration Officer
Joel´s energy and enthusiasm make every project feel like a thrilling adventure, motivating everyone around him to reach their full potential and approach tasks with a renewed sense of purpose.
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Languages: 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 (B1)
Deanna has been a core part of TechLabs since 2018, wearing many hats as a STEM instructor, master problem-solver, and the behind-the-scenes engine that keeps everything running smoothly as COO. With a master’s degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and over 15 years of experience as a design engineer, she brings serious technical chops in CAD, design thinking, and electromechanical product design. When she’s not keeping operations on track, you’ll find her tinkering, prototyping, and dreaming up cool things—then turning that curiosity into hands-on courses, smarter systems, and inspiration for the next generation of makers and engineers.
Superpower: Growth Mindset Guru
Deanna has the ability to promote a culture of growth mindset, encouraging students to embrace challenges and learn from failures.
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Languages: 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇫🇷
Laurent is a highly skilled engineer specializing in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and rapid prototyping, holding a degree from PolyTech Nancy, France.
With over two decades of experience, Laurent has established himself as a distinguished STEM teacher, within the French educational system. His instructional prowess lies in project-based pedagogy, positioning him as an exemplary mentor for aspiring engineers.
Laurent's impressive portfolio includes globally recognized achievements clinching victory in the MakeX Spark robotics competition, representing France on the global stage at the F1 in Schools event in Singapore, and developing assistive devices for the Make:able challenge.
As a Micro:bit champion and an Onshape specialist, Laurent takes pride in guiding his students to transform their ideas into tangible creations.
Superpower: Idea to Reality
Laurent´s superpower allows him to effortlessly turn any idea into a fully realized solution. As he always says, "Ideas are easy. Implementation is hard. Implement!"
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Languages: 🇬🇧 🇩🇪
Nadine was born and raised in the agglomeration of Basel. She has a Master of Science in engineering in industrial technologies and works as a scientific associate in environmental monitoring research. Beside her experimental experience in the lab, she is fascinated by getting children excited about technical topics. She has run many technical events and camps for children at the university and works as an instructor at TechLabs Basel since Summer 2022.
Superpower: Boundless Innovator
The Boundless Innovator channels childlike enthusiasm with expert technical skill, constantly generating and executing groundbreaking ideas with relentless creativity.
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Languages: 🇬🇧 🇩🇪
Jana Parkin is a science enthusiast on a mission to equip the next generation with the knowledge and skills needed for successful and impactful careers in STEM fields. Armed with over 15 years of experience running engaging classes online and in the Zürich region, she is a dedicated mentor who passionately educates and inspires students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Jana's commitment to 21st-century skill building shines through her emphasis on hands-on experiences, problem-solving, and critical thinking. She holds a master's degree in Sustainability and Bioeconomy, highlighting her dedication to integrating environmental awareness into her teachings.
Superpower: MentorMarvel
Jana possesses the ability to inspire and mentor others, unlocking their full potential in the realms of science and sustainability. She has the power to turn complex concepts into engaging adventures, making learning a supercharged experience.
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Languages: 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇭🇺 🇮🇱
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.
Superpower: Bug Hunter
Gabor has an uncanny ability to find any bug in any program, quickly identifying and solving issues with precision.
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Languages: 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇫🇷
Victoria is an experienced languages teacher who has taught children in primary and secondary schools in the UK, Japan and Switzerland. She recently obtained her Masters of Arts in Education from The University of Bath, and is exploring the possibilities offered by new technologies to support children and parents with their learning.
Superpower: Universal STEM Translator
Approaches STEM activities in a way that makes them relevant, easy to understand, and accessible to everyone.
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Languages: 🇬🇧 🇩🇪
With a Masters in Educational Science and a lifelong passion for Technology, the Mysteries of the Universe and Life, is Jiri heartbound to accompany others in their hearts passion and their path of learning about life. He truly believes that learning takes place all the time and everywhere and that the greatest help to be offered to anyone is to spark the flame of passion in someone to become the greatest version of themselves they can imagine. Some of his skills are with 3D-Printing and -design, Electronics of all kind. He loves to build what he is inspired to create with the most modern tools available. Jiri is from Germany and lives, studies and works in Switzerland since 2012.
Superpower: Passion Igniter.
Jiri has the extraordinary ability to spark the flame of passion in others, empowering them to envision and become the greatest version of themselves.
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Languages: 🇬🇧 🇪🇸 ☕
Farhan is a dedicated professional with a deep passion for helping others and championing access and equality for all. Inspired by his kids and a love for education, he thrives on working alongside brilliant individuals with beautiful souls to create solutions that make a meaningful impact on children's lives.
Superpower: Harmonic Catalyst
Farhan´s adept at blending empathy with efficiency, quickly finding the most effective solutions and aligning perspectives to drive progress. And then, of course, making sure everyone has fun in the process.
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Languages: 🇬🇧 🇩🇪
Esther grew up in Basel where she studied computer science at the University of Basel. She completed her master’s degree in Logic & Computation at TU Wien. Alongside her studies she has enjoyed teaching in a wide variety of settings, introducing children, teenagers, and young adults to computer science.Esther loves learning new things and enjoys working not only digitally but also with her hands. That’s why she likes to combine digital and creative elements in her teaching to create a cool end product.
Superpower: A New Angle
DIY-Queen: From sewing, crocheting, knitting, and painting to woodworking—Esther loves it all. Especially because these activities combine creativity with logical thinking and mathematics.
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Languages: 🇬🇧 🇩🇪
Dr. Akshata Rao is an accomplished professional with a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Basel in collaboration with Nanosurf AG.
With a background in nanotechnology and material science, Dr. Rao has held positions of a Scientist and Senior Postdoc at prestigious institutions like ETH Zürich and EMPA St Gallen where she led groundbreaking projects and made significant scientific contributions.
She has also served as an Educator at the Kumon Study Centre
Superpower: Tranquil Techie
Her superpower is her patience, technical proficiency and experience as an educator, combined with her ability to engage and motivate students in developing and delivering cutting-edge education experiences.
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Languages: 🇬🇧 🇩🇪
Shweta joined Techlabs in 2022 as an instructor, bringing her passion for Robotics Programming to life for young learners. With a strong foundation in Mathematics and Science—having earned a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Statistics—she seamlessly blends technical expertise with her empathetic approach, honed further through an MBA in Human Resources. Shweta's ability to connect with students of all ages creates a nurturing learning environment, where her enthusiasm for teaching inspires and fosters a deep interest in the subject among her students.
Superpower: Innovative Perseverance
Shweta possesses the unique superpower of seamlessly blending boundless creativity with unyielding patience.
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Languages: 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇫🇷
Arthur has a Bachelor's in Robotics and a Master's in Game Design and Technology. He is an experienced instructor and has worked with TechLabs since 2021. He's taught and pioneered several courses ranging from Junior STEAM to our Teen Courses, with a specialization in game development. Arthur has won multiple awards for Game Design.
Superpower: Dreamweaver
Arthur has the skills to can catch student ideas mid-thought—no matter how messy, wild, or half-formed—and weave them into interactive realities.
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Languages: 🇬🇧
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Languages: 🇬🇧 🇩🇪
My background in STEAM education has equipped me with extensive experience integrating emerging technologies into student-centered learning. I am familiar with the educational applications of virtual reality, including Delightex and Meta Quest, and help students create interactive 3D experiences rather than simply consuming digital content. My teaching focuses on fostering creativity, collaboration and critical thinking while preparing students with the skills needed for the future.
Superpower: Idea Generator
Turning curiosity into creative ideas
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Languages: 🇬🇧
Eleanor is an dedicated primary school educator with experience teaching in the UK and Italy. As a STEAM coordinator, she has led the development of rich, inquiry-based learning environments that spark curiosity, encourage exploration and promote meaningful engagement across the STEAM subjects.
Superpower: Open-mindedness:
Eleanor has the ability to approach tasks and problems with an open-mind and encourages her learners to do the same. Creating opportunities to ask questions, take risks and become future-ready problem solvers.
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Languages: 🇬🇧 🇩🇪 🇫🇷
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Languages: 🇬🇧 🇩🇪
When Jas isn't teaching tech, it's hard to say where he'll be. Between filmmaking, rugby, sailing and his uni course at ZHAW he has a very varied base of knowledge that is put to use on a almost daily basis. Jas is passionate about tech and storytelling, somehow integrating a funny memory into every lesson learnt. With an interest in all things tech, Jas will often spend free moments tinkering on a server or drone, or maybe even an old iPod. He makes it his mission to spread his interest in things new and old to the next generation, and teach them to fix things when they break.
Superpower: A New Angle
Sometimes, even the most impossible problem seems easy when looked at differently. Try talking yourself through the steps you're trying to achieve, or think about any alternative ways to do it.
When cast, all students in the room receive bonus 2d6 on WIS and INT for the remainder of the session.
