Jacques Chirazi

Certified Biomimicry Professional
Founder and Managing Partner

Jacques Edouard Chirazi, Certified Biomimicry Professional has managed the California City of San Diego’s Clean Technology Program since 2007. His focus is to create economic growth while fostering sustainability. One emerging initiative is to bridge cleantech with biomimicry. He develops and supports a clean technology cluster in San Diego. As a critical thinker, analyzing complex programs and policies, he leverages his strong communication skills while collaborating across a diverse range of private, public and non-profit sector groups. With a passion for learning about the natural world and understanding how nature could transform the corporate environment, his long term vision is to create new business models and financial instruments to accelerate the commercialization of biomimetic solutions.  Jacques served six years as Senior Project Manager at Bainbridge Inc., a strategic management consulting firm, which provides consulting services for Fortune 500 companies. He currently teaches sustainability courses and clean technology to business students at the University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University. He holds a Masters of Arts from UCSD Graduate School of International Relations & Pacific Studies in International Environmental Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from San Diego State University. Jacques is also a certified Energy Manager (C.E.M.), Renewable Energy Professional (R.E.P.) and LEED-GA.

Jamie Brown

Certified Biomimicry Specialist
Co-Founder and Biomimicry Specialist
Sustainable Development and Community Credit Architect

Jamie is a sustainable development, community credit and biomimicry specialist in Basel, Switzerland.  She specialises in regenerative financial architecture, or the application of biomimicry to financial system design.  Biological design can inform financial architecture at all levels from community credit to global finance policy.  Jamie unfolds a story of how nature would design a financial system, and is working with the Biomimicry Global Network to put these lessons into practice (link).  She manages the secretariat of its Bio-credits Working Group and administers the biomimicry movement's first prototype bioinspired credit facility, the Biomimicry Exchange Network (BXN). Jamie received the US Presidential Scholar’s medallion from Bill Clinton in 1999.  She holds an MSc with Distinction in Development Management from the London School of Economics, where she submitted a controversial dissertation on "The Root of All Money".  Jamie was Founder and Head of Secretariat for the UNEP Sustainable Energy Finance Alliance, the first convening body in the international system for public finance agencies in the clean energy sector, with a fee-for-service business model.  She developed this from BASE, a non-profit UNEP Collaborating Centre in Basel.  She authored major policy publications for UNEP, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the German federal government (GIZ) on public finance for sustainable energy with emphasis on developing countries. Jamie's earliest work experiences were with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in Nicaragua on environmental impact mitigation after Hurricane Mitch, and in Colombia on local governance and democracy building; and in economic development for the New Orleans Mayor's Office under Ray Nagin.  She has over ten years' experience living in developing countries - primarily Kenya, Honduras and Guatemala.  Immediately prior to arriving in Switzerland, she worked in private equity investment for PFI health infrastructure in the UK.  Her website is www.consciousevolution.ch

Patrick Baumann

Certified Biomimicry Specialist
Biomimicry Associate
Entrepreneur and Engineer

Patrick is the founder and owner of the mechanical engineering company Baumann Maschinenbau and is a Certified Biomimicry Specialist.  Very important for him is to take care about our resources, take responsibility for how we produce goods and make products more efficient. One of his goals is to bring the mechanisms, processes and systems that we find in nature into the design and manufacturing process of everyday products to make them more sustainable.  As a mechanical engineer with a masters degree from the ETH Zürich in Switzerland, Patrick has 20 years of experience in industrial designing and project management in textile technology, transportation vehicle and train carriage design, industrial computer tomography and automation of manufacturing processes.  As a drummer, he received a degree from the Los Angeles Music Academy.

PiusLeuba Dit Galland

Associate Professor, Architect, Sustainable Consultant and Biomimicry Associate

A practicing architect, designer and sustainable consultant, Pius is teaching Environental Design ad TonjJi Unversity, Shnghai, School of Design and Innovation (D&I). For more than an decade he has    researched designed and taught in the realm of sustainability human environment. His current focus are urban ecology, biomimicrym sustainable materials, place specific design, sustainable rural development projects and sustainable mobility. projects. Pius is director of the biomimetic desgin lab (BiDL: http://bidl.tongji.edu.cn/) at the D&I and instrumental in the creation of the a Regional Biomimicry Network in China (BCN). 

Marina Ruta, PhD

Chemical Engineering and Biomimicry Associate

Marina is a consultant and advisor, with over 13 years of experience within academia, industry and international organisations. Passionate about innovation and initiatives fostering environmental sustainability, she found in biomimicry the most adapted framework to innovate according to life-sustaining principles. Through her highly diversified career she managed projects for technology innovation, business and partnership development within the chemicals industry at private corporations such as Dow Chemical, Vestergaard-Frandsen and Novozymes. 

More recently, she focused on developing multi-stakeholder partnerships at international organizations including the World Economic Forum and UN Environment. Her areas of expertise are scientific research, project/partnership management and business development. With natural enthusiasm and energy, she brings excellent analytical, communication and interpersonal skills to her initiatives. She thrives on building communities and connecting people.

Marina is a trained chemical engineer, holds a PhD from the Doctoral School of Environmental Engineering at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and an MBA with specialization in International Organizations from the University of Geneva. She is also PMI®certified project manager.the health sector.

Catherine RAssat, PhD

Marine Biologist, Teacher and Chief Biologist

Catherine obtained a PhD in Biological Oceanography at the University of Paris VI working on the influence of environmental factors on marine copepod populations. She redirected her career to teaching environmental sciences at Temple University in Philadelphia, USA.

Fascinated by biodiversity, she became a Nature Guide for the Singaporian Environmental Council, which allowed her to introduce local biodiversity to high schools and corporate organizations (i.e. sustainable committee).

Her interest in Biomimicry has resulted in the development of children's camps in Singapore, focusing on the discovery of fauna and flora and the technologies in life, inviting them to reconsider Nature as a model of inspiration.

Agathe Rouzaud

Sustainable Manager, Biomimicry Associate

Agathe received a Master degree in marine biologist from the University of Perpignan, with an emphasis in marine mammals behaviors. After her first employment in retail, Agathe discovered a passion in project management.

She has been touched by environmental issues caused by industries in Haute-Savoie she decided to combine her entrepreneurial mindset with sustainable development and biology to help generate a positive impact and transform companies toward a more regenerative path. For her perspective biomimicry thinking is a viable and essential tool to guide industries toward a more sustainable path. Agathe is using her knowledge, experience and research in biomimicry to help radically transform how companies innovate and incorporate sustainable strategies in their business strategy.

Mathias Baumann

Biologist and Bio-Inspired Innovator, Biomimicry Associate

Mathias’ interest in Biomimicry started at the end of high school. Then, During his Bachelor in Biology (Lausanne, Switzerland) he kept being amazed by the ingenuity of the features found in or displayed by living organism. Hence, he continued his academic career with a Master in Bio-Inspired Innovation at the University of Utrecht (Netherlands), during which he was able to perform an internship at the bionic department of FESTO (Germany). In the meantime he also participated twice to the Biomimicry Design Challenge, winning 2nd place and an honorable mention.  

Being passionate by new technologies and innovation, but also deeply concerned by environmental and sustainable issues, Biomimicry is thus a perfect fit. Starting his professional career, he aims to be active in fields such as cleantech, biotechs or experimental zoology, with a strong interest for applied research. 

AMRITA RATH, PH.D

Material Research Scientist, Biomimicry Associate

Being coming from a coastal regional of eastern part of India, she has first experienced an increasing heat wave, change in rain pattern and impact of floods due to climate change. This has inspired her to look for solutions in nature’s design and emulate it for sustainable planet. At a personal level, she advocates for building a conscious planet by greater association with nature, practicing a minimalistic lifestyle approach in which the exploitation of various life forms can be avoided to a greater extent.

She strongly believes that sustainable practices and bio-based innovation can have a huge positive impact on climate and eventually on human lives. In her pursuit for a greener future, she is currently working in designing of a structural material of high strength using sustainable polymer using green chemistry approach and a living material which can convert carbon dioxide to oxygen. She believes that such innovations will be a huge leap for next generation of smart materials.  

Amrita has a background in mechanical engineering and holds a PhD in smart biopolymers from Indian Institute of Technology Madras. Her work has been inspired from shape morphing in nature, such as opening and closing of Venus flytrap, pine cone and leaves in response to change in environment. She has demonstrated the potential application of such fascinating behavior in sensors and soft robotics.

MARIA DEL PILAR PORRAS VILLARREAL

Architect, Biomimicry Associate

Well-rounded professional with 15 years of experience driving creative teams and managing design deliverables in fast-paced global work environments for architecture and design. She contributes to companies with her ability to streamline complex processes and to promote team effectiveness by leading with empathy, authenticity and dedication. Passionate about nature and regeneration and how projects can have a positive impact when they contribute to the environment, human behavior and well-being through a restorative handprint.

VINISHA VARGHESE

Environmental Engineering Student, ETH

Vinisha first came across Biomimicry while doing a high school project on bioindicators of pollution. Currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering with a focus on Water Resources Management at ETH Zürich, her academic interests lie at the land-water nexus, eco-hydraulics and nature-based solutions for engineering problems. She previously worked as a researcher on similar topics in South and South-east Asia. Holding a diploma in Environmental Law and a Bachelor degree in Environmental Engineering, she also has an avid interest in the inter-play between science, technology, policy and governance.

Vinisha is interested in exploring the possibilities of adapting Biomimicry principles in resource management, environmental behaviour, and planning and designing for future issues such as adapting to climate change. She has also become increasingly passionate about facilitating dialogues and getting the scientific community to better engage with society.  

ALEXANDER ROHNER

Independent Writer

Alexander Rohner is an independent writer focusing on ancient authors and natural phenomena as a means of solving contemporary and technical issues. He has previously worked as a business analyst in asset management in Geneva, and he holds a BSc in General Science from the University of St Andrews, where he studied Psychology and Molecular Biology. He also holds an MA in Innovation and Strategic Management from Solvay Business School, Belgium.

MICHAELA EMCH

Communication and Marketing Specialist, Biomimicry Practitioner

Communication and marketing specialist, translator, cultural mediator, biomimicry practitioner, safari guide, keen naturalist and biology enthusiast, Michaela is looking for links where people have not yet been connecting the dots. Her Masters in International Relations and the capacity for abstraction gained from her MBA in aviation management let her handle the multicultural and interdisciplinary impact of communication in diverse fields of application. She shares her passion and curiosity for innovation as well as her imaginative way of applying her discoveries with her family, friends, colleagues and clients through lively discussions, hands-on adventures in the wild, workshops, speeches and publications. Passing on knowledge and triggering interest for new ideas is part of her way of life and the driving force behind the genesis of this handbook for tapping into nature’s wisdom for a more responsible, (re)connected and efficient communication in the 21st century.

FABIAN DELPY

Bio-Inspired Innovator and Expert in Regenerative Urban Design

Attracted by unexplored paths and inspired by the ineffable character of some natural processes, the discovery of biomimicry enabled me to align my academic career with my interests. Following a Bachelor degree in Biochemistry at the University of Geneva (Switzerland), I undertook a Master degree in Bio-inspired Innovation at the University of Utrecht (The Netherlands) during which I moved on to regenerative urban planning by pursuing an internship at Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand). As I start my professional career, I plan to apply biomimicry in areas such as urban planning, architecture, education or culture.

MICHELLE FEHLER

Clinical Assistant Professor and Biomimicry Professional at Arizona State University

Fehler is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Biomimicry Professional at Arizona State University who focuses on defining a life-centered design methodology by infusing biomimicry and systems thinking into the design process. She develops various tools that make the biomimetic approach more accessible to designers from various disciplines.

SONJA DONAUER-DUMS​

​Business Consultant, Future Architect & Coach, Certified Biomimicry Practitioner

After almost 20 years in organizations where she was responsible for marketing and corporate communications, among other things, she became self-employed as a management consultant based in Vienna/Austria and offers nature-inspired strategies for teams and companies that really want to think outside the box. Biomimicry has totally fascinated her and once you have learned to appreciate this method and this mindset, you can no longer resist it, she says.

An approach that has everything they need to become or stay fit for the future as a company-systemic, sustainable, tried and tested and exciting. Her mission is to build a stage for biomimicry in German-speaking countries, to get this method out of its niche and to put it into practice. It is very important to her that as many organizations as possible recognize the added value for organizational development and be inspired by the systems and processes of nature, so that not only companies themselves, but also all people in organizations benefit from it.