Curriculum Vitae

Email: fmuller@caltech.edu
Languages: German, French, English (fluent)

California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | Postdoc – Prof. Julia Kornfield
May 2025 – present
• Developing multi-layered nanoparticles for ocular ballistic drug delivery
ETH Zurich | Postdoc – Prof. Jan Vermant
Jun 2024 – Apr 2025
• Continued PhD research
• Teaching assistant and lecturer
• Characterization and image analysis on soft matter systems
• Initiated collaborations with Johns Hopkins and Harvard
ETH Zurich | PhD – Prof. Jan Vermant
Mar 2020 – May 2024
• Developed robust nanoparticle grafting method
• Best presentation award, Nature Communications publication
• Supervised 15+ students, managed academic–industry collaborations
• Member of the International Fine Particle Research Institute
MIT (Langer Lab) | Visiting Researcher
Mar 2019 – Dec 2019
• 3D bioprinting tool development
• Proof of concept for manufacturing human cornea (in review)
Hoffmann-La Roche | Intern – Sterile Packaging
Sep 2018 – Mar 2019
• Solved GMP-critical defects
• Created new manufacturing protocols
• Organized multi-day team event
ETH Zurich | Technician – Mechanical Engineering
Sep 2015 – Aug 2018
• Conducted diverse experiments across two research labs

Doctorate of Science, ETH Zurich (Mar 2020 – May 2024)
• “Engineering Colloidal Gels: Microscopic Design, Macroscopic Characterization and Applications”
MSc Mechanical Engineering, ETH Zurich (Sep 2017 – Dec 2019)
• Master’s thesis in Robert Langer’s lab at MIT
BSc Mechanical Engineering, ETH Zurich (Sep 2013 – Aug 2017)
• Focus on manufacturing and supply chain
Wagenburg Gymnasium, Stuttgart (2005–2013)

Soft Matter Characterization: Rheology, Confocal, SEM, AFM, TEM, DLS, TGA, DSC
Chemical Synthesis: Nanoparticles (polymeric/inorganic), polymer functionalization
Chemical Analysis: NMR, LCMS, TLC
Biology: Cell culture, 3D bioprinting
Fabrication: Microfluidics, 3D printing, laser cutting, CAD, g-code, milifluidics
Data & Programming: Matlab, Python, Origin, ImageJ, Fiji

Student Mentoring (2021–present): Recruited and led project teams of 1–4 students
Society of Women in Natural Sciences (2023–2025): MSc student mentoring
Outreach Coordinator (2020–2025): Led ~5 outreach activities per year

Marathon, triathlon, road biking (since 2014)
5+ triathlons, multiple half-marathons, one marathon, two road bike races