Meet the driving forces behind the COMPASS-Mind team.
Simone Pengue
Founder
I am a Swiss science journalist who collaborates with Radiotelevisione della Svizzera Italiana (RSI), Ticino Scienza, and the Swiss Academies of Sciences and Arts. Raised on the border between Italy and Switzerland, I studied physics in Como and Fribourg. I earned my Ph.D. in biophysics from the Biozentrum of the University of Basel, during which I independently published various papers exploring the intersection of Italian literature and physics.
Kevin Nils Baumann
Founder, President
I am a postdoctoral fellow at the Biozentrum, University of Basel. As a researcher and former member of the student counselling team at the ETH, I understand the challenges academia can pose to our mental health firsthand. Therefore, I am proud to be a part of Compass and committed to our mission of creating a healthy, inclusive academic environment where everyone has the support they need for their mental well-being.
Steffie Gehlen
Founder, Finance
As a staff member at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel, I am particularly interested in supporting the team members of my two laboratory groups (but not only them) beyond purely administrative tasks – especially with regard to a working environment that is designed to be tolerant, people-oriented and supportive. I became a founding member of COMPASS out of the conviction that such a humane and supportive environment is key to creativity and joyful scientific productivity. At COMPASS I am mostily taking care of internal processes, finances as well as the regular’s table.
Julia Locke
Finance
I am a former structural biologist who has transitioned into science administration. Currently, I work at the Biozentrum and have joined COMPASS’s Finance & Event Team, leveraging my passion for organization and my scientific background to acquire sponsorship funds for COMPASS and assist with administrative tasks.
Maryame Bina
Vice-President, writer
I hold a PhD degree from the University of Basel and was always deeply curious about neurodiversity. I am especially interested in supporting neurodivergent people in building and maintaining productive work habits. I joined Compass-Mind because I immediately resonated with their mission. My belief is that academia should be a place of learning and growth, where everyone’s strengths can shine, enhancing both well‑being and productivity.
Ahmed H.H.H. Mahmoud
Fundraising
I’m pursuing a PhD in cell and structural biology at the Biozentrum, University of Basel. I see every interaction as an opportunity to learn and actively engage with diverse individuals. As a member of COMPASS, I’m committed to promoting inclusivity and embracing neurodiversity in academia and beyond.
Daniel Gacutan Salunga
Event Organizator and Coordinator
I am a Filipino Nutritionist who leads a Nutrition and Food Systems Policy Research in Low- and Middle-Income Countries as a Doctoral Researcher at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel. I am interested in neurodiversity and have been helping organize and coordinate COMPASS Mind events since 2024. I love cooking and the intersection of nutrition science and culinary arts.
Yugandhar Nighojkar
Minutes Keeper
I am a PhD candidate at the University of Basel, investigating Quaternary Paleoclimate. While my academic work focuses on understanding Earth’s past transitions, I am equally driven to address the modern stresses of the doctoral journey. Having experienced the pressures of research firsthand, I am dedicated to advocating for a university environment where we can speak openly about our challenges. My goal is to help shift academic culture toward one that sees us as people first, ensuring no researcher has to navigate this path in silence.
Viv Armstrong
Event Coordinator
I hold an MBA from Durham University and an MSc in Psychology from the Open University (UK), and I am currently training towards an MSc in Psychotherapy. My approach is grounded in person-centred principles. I aim to offer a warm, non-judgemental space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings at your own pace. Building trust is central to my work, and I value creating a space where you feel heard, understood, and supported. I have a particular interest in mental health and addiction recovery, and I support individuals in exploring their experiences and developing a deeper understanding of themselves.
Anastasia Korezelidou
Event Coordinator
I am a physiotherapist with an M.Sc. in Health Services Research and Implementation Science, currently pursuing my PhD at the Institute of Nursing Science, University of Basel. Shaped by personal experience and involvement in psychiatry research, mental health is a field I am deeply passionate about and hope to dedicate more of my work to in the future. I joined Compass in early 2025, drawn by their commitment to promoting mental health and neurodiversity awareness in academia.
Amancaya Formica
Advisor
Short description
Simon Rösch
Event Organizator and Coordinator
I’m a Designer and Developer focused on building more natural and neuro-inclusive applications. With a strong interest in neurodiversity and creativity, I believe that tools and work environments can become better to unlock more potential.
Alumni
- Alexandra Polyakova
- Camila Pulido Barrera
- Deborah Draxl
- Pietro Vahramian
- Nadya Stebler
- Selina Hugger