I studied Biology/Zoology at the University of Berne in Switzerland. My master was on the ecology and systematics of alpine butterflies. My PhD was on the habitat use of butterflies in abandoned and traditionally used hay meadows in Southern Switzerland. I taught at the University of Berne, doing research on populations genetics and systematics of butterflies, crayfish and several European fish species.
In 1999 I started to work at the Institute of Intellectual Property in the trademark department, where I led a section on trademark registration and represented Switzerland at the WIPO in Geneva.
In 2004 I took up the Job as head of the CITES Management Authority of Switzerland, implementing the CITES Convention in Switzerland. I also represented Switzerland in the CITES bodies. In 2013 I was elected to represent the European Region in the CITES Animals Committee and in 2022 was elected as Chair of this body, which I have led since that time. I am particularly interested in the use of CITES to support the conservation of cat species worldwide and am eager to contribute my deep knowledge of this Convention to support the work of this Specialist Group.