Company Portrait
Founded by distinguished physicists Professors Peter Schurtenberger and Frank Scheffold, LS Instruments emerged from extensive research into soft materials. Recognizing the limitations of existing light scattering methodologies in studying concentrated samples, the founders embarked on a mission to enhance the technology's capabilities, ensuring robust characterization of turbid and highly concentrated samples.
The genesis of LS Instruments' technology and product portfolio traces back to pioneering research projects at ETH Zurich and the University of Fribourg. Groundbreaking innovations such as Echo DWS in the DWS RheoLab and modulated 3D cross-correlation in the LS Spectrometer and NanoLab 3D have since been patented, underscoring our commitment to technological advancement.
Established as a Swiss public limited company in 2010, LS Instruments has fostered a global clientele across 34 countries. As a science-driven company, we aim to deliver the most powerful technology to enable cutting-edge research on nanoparticles, polymers, and surfactants and science-driven product development. The true strength of our instruments unfolds beyond the measuring range of standard instruments.
Management
Dario Leumann, CEO
Dario holds an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from ETH Zurich. He started his career in product development and project management in the field of direct air capture of carbon dioxide (DAC) at the pioneering Swiss company Climeworks AG. In particular, he was involved in the development of screening and qualification processes for new materials and processes and led the testing of plant prototypes. Dario joined LS Instruments in 2019, first as COO and later as CEO.
Dr. Andrea Vaccaro, CTO
Obtained a master's degree in chemical engineering at Federico II University in Naples and his PhD degree at the ETH Zurich at the Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering in 2005. With his background, Andrea is very familiar with the application fields of our instruments. Coupled with his passion for programming and tinkering with new ideas, he is rarely at a loss for a solution. Andrea has been with the company since its foundation in 2010.
Dr. Ian Block, CCO
Ian graduated with a BS from Cornell University and a PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, both in electrical engineering. He previously served as a scientist and the first CTO at LS Instruments AG (2009 - 2013), then launched and grew BASIS Independent Schools as VP Operations and CEO (2013-2020). Ian rejoined LS Instruments in 2022 as General Manager in charge of growing the company's presence in North America.
Board of Directors
Dr. Gabriel Haering, Chairman
holds a Ph.D. in Natural Sciences from ETH Zürich and has over 30 years of experience in life science (former CEO of Cerbios-Pharma SA and GMT Fine-Chemicals SA) working with both, originators and generic companies as partners. In the last years his innovation attitude combined with organizational and branding skills has helped the creation and/or reorganization of some startups in order to make real their vision and mission. This also included the IPO of Lipidor on NASDAQ first north in September 2019.
Prof. Frank Scheffold
Prof. Dr. Frank Scheffold holds a chair in experimental physics at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. Since 2009 he holds the chair "Soft Matter and Photonics" in the physics department. His research focuses on the optics of complex systems, dynamic light scattering and diffuse light propagation, the dynamics, aggregation and phase behaviour of colloidal systems and the production and characterization of soft materials.
Jonathan Nils Matti Grahm
Jonathan Grahm studied Business Administration at the University of St. Gallen (HSG) and holds a Masters Degree in Marketing, Services & Communications Management. He has extensive Start-Up and business experience, specifically in the field of growth strategy. He is currently CMO & Chairman of Zippsafe AG Switzerland. Besides that he is a guest lecturer at the Universities of Bern and St. Gallen (HSG). He is co-founder of Siroop AG where he worked as CCMO and Vice President of Sales & KAM until 2017. He previously worked for Swisscom AG as Strategy Manager (2012 -2015).
Dr. Hanno M. Bästlein
Brings many years of experience as chairman and board member of listed and private companies (e.g. AMAG, B&C, Lenzing, Oerlikon) and in the executive management as CEO & CFO (e.g. Constantia Packaging, VA TECH, HOCHTIEF). Over the years he built up his own portfolio as an active investor. He graduated in Business Administration and Economics at Witten/Herdecke University, conducted post-graduate studies at Stanford University in California and received his doctorate at Albert Ludwigs University in Freiburg i. Br. He joined LS Instruments as Board Member mid 2020 to support it in implementing its international growth strategy.
Dr. James Berwick
James has extensive experience in polymer characterization, as applied to biomaterials and industrial formulations. He is currently Chief Operating Officer of Swiss AFM instrumentation company Nanosurf AG and part of the executive board. Previously, James was European group director for speciality chemicals at OQEMA group and part of the executive board.