Dr. Burcu Demiray
Founder & Managing Director

Contact:
b.demiray@psychologie.uzh.ch

I am a lifespan developmental psychologist by training and the founder of WiseLearn. I lead a research group at the Healthy Longevity Center (University of Zurich) and teach at the Department of Psychology (University of Zurich). My research program focuses on cognitive activities (e.g., learning, memory) and psychological well-being across adulthood. I use qualitative and quantitative methods, collect real world evidence (e.g., smartphone sensing, wearables) and use interdisciplinary approaches in data analytics (e.g., machine learning) to understand and promote healthy human development and longevity.

At the Healthy Longevity Center, I have positioned myself at the intersection of research and innovation, with the aim of fostering the translation of psychological research findings into social innovation. I mainly focus on research and innovation development in ed-tech, age-tech and digital health.

I have a Master’s degree in psychology and am currently working on my dissertation. At WiseLearn I am responsible for the technical implementation of the content on the e-learning platform: creating lecture modules for a new semester, publishing the recordings of lectures, or writing news pieces is part of it. I also support the users of the platform via e-mail and phone helpline if there are difficulties or questions. In addition, I support our own research projects and evaluate the feedback provided on our offers.

Anja Vandersmissen
Platform Manager

Kathrin Inerle
Researcher &
Content Developer

I studied Social Work and Religious Education in my Bachelor’s degree (Protestant University of Applied Sciences Ludwigsburg) and was afterwards employed in church-based, informal educational work. Subsequently, I completed a Master’s degree in Gerontology (FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg). I wrote my thesis on social elements in e-learning. At WiseLearn I am now responsible for the development of e-learning courses, for the implementation of our quality standards and for member support.

I studied psychology at the University of Bern and the University of Zurich and specialized in health psychology and gerontopsychology due to my interest in health and well-being across the lifespan. I am currently part of several applied research projects in the research group of Dr. Burcu Demiray, focusing on lifelong learning and ageism. At WiseLearn, I am responsible for the development of e-learning courses and for the management of our co-development community.

Miriam Wallimann
Researcher &
Content Developer

Remo Pianezzi
Research & Community
Support

Shortly after my final degree as a surveying engineer I taught surveying at a technical college and arithmetic at a vocational school. This was followed by over 30 years in the IT sector in a large company where I was initially responsible for IT training and end-user support. Also in my later functions education was always a central concern for me.

Standing still is not an option. Since my retirement, I have been a member of the Senior Citizens’ University of Zurich, where I attend the always interesting lectures on a wide variety of topics. I am convinced that lifelong learning is crucial to remain mentally fit. I try to make my contribution so that older people can cope with modern technology as well as digitalization, which increasingly permeate our everyday lives.

I have always been driven by the desire to constantly develop and grow.

After my commercial apprenticeship (EFZ), other paths were open to me thanks to the dual education system and I have completed three additional training courses over the course of my career (HF Dipl. in Organization, NDS HF with specialization on Coaching, NDS HF HR Manager). I worked for over 20 years in Human Resources as an HR manager and trainer & consultant.

After my retirement, it is evident that I would dedicate my volunteer time entirely to learning and personal (further) development. I am involved in WiseLearn because I am convinced that people should never stop learning and that cognitive health contributes significantly to healthy ageing.

I support WiseLearn in the design and development of course content for older learners and in the ageism project (online platform, e.g. on the topic of age discrimination in the workplace).

Ursula Reber
Content Developer & Community Support

Meera Selvachandran
Intern

I studied psychology at the University of Zurich for my Bachelor’s degree and am currently continuing my studies there for my Master’s degree. Since 2025, I have been working as a research intern in the research group because I am interested in how lifelong learning concepts can be designed and made accessible and optimized online for older people. At WiseLearn, among other tasks, I am involved in developing new e-learning courses and evaluating feedback to improve the content further.

Lennard Schlör
IT Support

Alon Cohen
IT Support

Sepp Annen

Elisabeth Huwyler

Christoph Lögler

Martin Färber

Paul Kühne

Fari Malla

Stephan Fröhlich

Heinz Lienhard

Ursula Reber

Prof. Mike Martin
Professor in Gerontology

Dr. Sandra Oppikofer
Business &
Innovation Development

Max-Peter Felchlin
Business Development