About

Hi! I’m David, a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Geneva, Switzerland in the Faculty of Medicine and the GIRAPH group. I am also a visiting research fellow at EPFL and am affiliated with the Geneva University Hospitals through the Unit of Population Epidemiology.

I am looking for new opportunities in 2025. If you think I could be a good candidate for your institution, company or organisation, please reach out to me.

As a spatial data scientist with a bioengineering background, I view the world through the lens of interconnectedness — from proteins to human communities. This perspective fuels my belief in the power of holistic, big-picture approaches, recognizing that collective elements often yield greater impact than their individual parts. My experience in spatial analysis and network science unlocks potential across various fields. I aim to leverage my skills to address real-world challenges, devising impactful strategies in diverse sectors. I am particularly attracted to roles offering varied challenges and opportunities to effect meaningful change.

Main fields of interest

Precision Public Health — Spatial Epidemiology — Digital Health — Health Systems — Climate Change — Data-driven Decision-making

Main Skills

Data science — Project Management — Statistics — Fundraising — GIS — Public Speaking — Causal Inference — Data Visualization — Machine Learning — Remote Sensing

Work and research

In my work, I harness quantitative and computational methodologies to deeply understand the spatial dynamics of public health. With a focus on spatial data analysis, I’ve engaged with many disciplines. My prior endeavors range from leveraging large Swiss health insurance data to unpack the cost-effectiveness of traditional and alternative medicine using causal inference techniques, to scrutinizing the epidemiological impacts of air pollution through a detailed spatial lens using remote sensing and machine learning models. I’ve also explored the vast potential of geospatial clustering in public health using diverse spatial statistics, leading to targeted interventions and enhanced surveillance practices. By navigating the complexities of health-related data, including diet-associated risk factors, breast cancer screening participation and COVID-19 response strategies, my research has fostered a more nuanced understanding of healthcare delivery and outcomes. My commitment to these areas is underpinned by the belief that robust, data-driven insights are essential for the evolution of public health and the well-being of communities.

Through my roles at the University of Geneva and EPFL I have also had the chance to consult with various organisations about a wide range of topics which gave me experience in understanding needs, tailoring approaches, and creating value. I have also consolidated my ability to rigorously manage deadlines and budgets while sharpening my communication skills to share complex results accurately and convincingly, both in writing and orally. Here is a selection of consulting projects I have carried out to completion:

• Successfully identified high-risk populations (vulnerable and poorly vaccinated) in the canton of Geneva to enable the Direction Générale de la Santé (DGS) to optimize the canton’s vaccination strategy during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In a project with the Fondation genevoise pour le dépistage du cancer, I identified disparities in screening participation and provided insights into the determinants of participation, enabling a reassessment of their future communications and recruitment methods.
• Spearheaded a consulting project analyzing citizen subsidies in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, including identifying the distribution of recipients, assessing regional disparities in utilization, and creating scenarios to optimize social service center locations.
• Conducted a comprehensive territorial health diagnosis for the commune of Plan-les-Ouates (Geneva, CH), delivering a prioritized list of healthcare services for inclusion in the planning of a future healthcare center, strategically aligning with demographic trends to anticipate community needs.

Background and history

I received my Ph.D in Life Sciences from the University of Geneva, my M.Eng. in Bioengineering from Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech the bioengineering faculty at the University of Liège, and my B.Eng. in the bioengineering faculty at the Université Libre de Bruxelles. I conducted my Master Thesis at the Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB) at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute - Harvard Medical School. For just under two years after receiving my master, I was at the CCSB as a staff bioinformatician. After receiving my PhD in Life Sciences, I was a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Geneva then became a senior research fellow and led several research and education efforts.

Work philosophy

I’m a curious and enjoy integrating disciplines like data science, epidemiology, digital health and spatial science with fields like genetics, microbiology and virology. I am also very result oriented and love working on applied projects providing actionable insights. I enjoy collaborating with people and teams from many disciplines and find it extremely rewarding to learn from different perspectives. I also frequently talk and teach at events, conferences and MAS, CAS and workshops.