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Annual recognition - since 2012
Toolpoint–Hirschmann Lab Science Award
Recognising outstanding bachelor’s theses with results relevant to laboratory science and diagnostics — celebrating the talent that drives our industry’s future.
ABOUT The award
Championing the Next Generation of Lab Science
The Toolpoint–Hirschmann Lab Science Award recognises strong and outstanding bachelor’s theses whose results are relevant to laboratory science and diagnostics. The award pursues two main goals.
First, we aim to underline the importance of broad, high-quality education for the long-term success of a country. This is why the award focuses on bachelor’s degrees rather than master’s or doctoral research.
Second, we seek to increase the visibility of Lab Science. Today, almost no product reaches the market without laboratory equipment — not only in the biopharmaceutical industry. In environmental analysis, laboratory instrumentation plays a crucial role in identifying pollutants such as PFAS. Lab science also enables detection of food adulteration across industries from baby food to wine.
Prize Sponsor — Hirschmann Foundation
First Place
Second Place
Third Place
– Next submission deadline
Award 2027
13th December, 2026
13th December, 2026
Terms & Conditions
Who Can Apply & What We're Looking For
Graduates of universities of applied sciences are invited to submit bachelor’s theses that fall within the thematic areas of MedTech, BioTech, or LabTech. Theses should focus on improving equipment solutions, expanding application ranges, or developing new methods at the interface of life sciences with engineering and IT.
Toolpoint-Hirschmann Lab Science Award 2027
Submit Your Bachelor’s Thesis
Deadline: Sunday, 13 December 2026
Jury & Evaluation
An Interdisciplinary Panel of Experts
Submitted theses are evaluated by an interdisciplinary jury combining academic excellence and industry expertise. Pre-selection is made based on the executive summary; the most promising theses then proceed to an oral presentation stage.
Prof. Dr. Steffi Lehmann
ZHAW Life Sciences and Facility Management
Prof. Dr. Rudolf Marcel Füchslin
ZHAW School of Engineering
Prof. Dr. Stephan Scheidegger
ZHAW School of Engineering
Prof. Dr. Agathe Koller
OST — Fachhochschule Ostschweiz
Dr. Maja Schlittler
AO Research Institute
Christian Walter
Managing Director, Verein Toolpoint for Lab Science
Hans Noser
Entrepreneur & Manager, President Verein Toolpoint for Lab Science
Our Evaluation Criteria
The jury evaluates each thesis holistically — assessing not only the technical merit but also the applicant’s understanding of real-world impact and collaborative depth. We are interested in the whole person.
- Has the graduate understood the business case — the application scenario? Why is this a good thesis? Who benefits from it, and how?
- Is the thesis compelling in terms of content and language? Is it readily understandable to an interdisciplinary audience?
- Was the thesis developed in direct collaboration with industry, laboratories or clinics? Did it require interdisciplinary collaboration across fields?
Past Winners
Celebrating Excellence in Lab Science
Every year since 2012, outstanding graduates have been recognised for their contribution to laboratory science. Their work spans analytical chemistry, biomedical engineering, diagnostics, and beyond.
ZHAW Life Sciences and Facility Management
Aurelia Zurkinden
ZHAW Life Sciences and Facility Management
Cornel Niederhauser
FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern
Eveline Keller
ZHAW Life Sciences and Facility Management
Lisa Schelbert
ZHAW School of Engineering
Tenzin Langdun & Martin Oswald
ZHAW School of Engineering
Aurel Hess, Micael Lemos & Lorenzo von Ritter
FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern
Leandra Zehnder
FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern
Britta Brugger
ZHAW School of Engineering
Joel Hirsbrunner & Michael Zoller
ZHAW Life Sciences and Facility Management
Kevin Yar
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW
Robin Horber
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW
Jasmin Saxer
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW
Kristina Djordjevic
ZHAW Life Science and Facility Management, Wädenswil
Nicolas Imstepf
ZHAW School of Engineering, Winterthur
Raphael Hagen
ZHAW Wädenswil
Sandra Witschard
ZHAW Wädenswil
Dafina Ismaili
ZHAW Winterthur
Stephanie Ruch & Jamie Sulzer
ochschule für Life Sciences FHNW
Andreas Fankhauser
HSR Hochschule für Technik Rapperswil
Fabian Gerber & Lukas Vassalli
Hochschule für Life Sciences FHNW
Dominic Juchli
ZHAW Wädenswil
Misha Teale
ZHAW Wädenswil
Sonia de Andrade
HSR Rapperswil
Stefan Hedinger & Michael Schwenter
HSR Hochschule für Technik Rapperswil
Claude Flury
Interstaatliche Hochschule für Technik Buchs NTB
Simon Castelberg & Sebastian Lang
HSR Hochschule für Technik Rapperswil
Pascal Stump & Dominik Richle
Hochschule Furtwangen
Ronja Schierjott
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz Muttenz
Pascal Gasser
Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz Muttenz
Michael Naeff
Interstaatliche Hochschule für Technik Buchs NTB
Jasmin Bamert & Rita Schlaginhaufen
ZHAW School of Engineering
Bruno Schmid & Daniel Zolliker
Hochschule für Life Sciences FHNW
Jonas Amman
Hochschule für Life Sciences FHNW
Timon Bussinger
ZHAW School of Engineering
Patrick Hug & Jonathan Laumer
ZHAW School of Engineering
Yvonne Werner & Pascal Fahrni
PRIZE SPONSOR
The Hirschmann Foundation
Carl W. Hirschmann Sr. established the Hirschmann Foundation in Zug in 1985, originally intending it as a corporate foundation. After his sudden passing in April 1995, the family continued to run the Jet Aviation Group according to his philosophy for the following decade.
In 2005, a sale to Permira — a major private equity group — was seen as the best path to ensure the group’s continued dynamic development, with Carl W. Hirschmann Jr. maintaining a shareholding.
The Hirschmann Foundation has existed in its current form since 2001. It is primarily engaged in research and education, development cooperation, and social matters — values that align closely with Toolpoint’s mission to champion the next generation of lab science talent.
2001
Foundation in current form
Areas of Engagement
- Research & Education
- Development Cooperation
- Social Matters
- Lab Science Award — Prize Sponsor
PRIZE SPONSOR
ORGANIZATIONAL SPONSOR
PARTNERS
