Management Board Spiez Laboratory
Dr Marc Cadisch, Director of Spiez Laboratory
Marc Cadisch studied pharmacy at the University of Bern. He completed his studies at ETH Zurich with a doctoral thesis in organic chemistry. He then worked in various positions in the private sector while pursuing further postgraduate studies in business management at the University of St Gallen, earning his Executive MBA HSG in January 2003. In 2002, he joined Spiez Laboratory as the designated new director. He has served as Director of Spiez Laboratory since 1 April 2003; he is a member of the Federal Commission for NBC Protection (KomABC), has been an honorary member of the Society of Swiss Industrial Pharmacists (GSIA) since 2012, and since 2025 has been a full member of the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW).
Stefan Mogl, Head of the Chemistry Division, Deputy Director of Spiez Laboratory
Stefan Mogl studied chemistry at Technikum Winterthur (now: ZHAW School of Engineering). He then worked as an occupational hygienist/analyst at the former Federal Office for Industry, Trade and Labour (BIGA). During this time, he completed a postgraduate degree in occupational health at ETH Zurich and the University of Lausanne. In 1997, he was trained as a chemical weapons inspector by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). After three years as an inspector, he took over the management of the OPCW Laboratory. During this period, he studied for an MBA at the Open University (UK). In 2005, he took on a new position as chemical weapons expert in the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). He became Head of the Chemistry Division at Spiez Laboratory in 2007. In addition, he served as Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of the OPCW from 2012 to 2013.
Marc Stauffer, Head of the Nuclear Chemistry Division
Marc Stauffer began his professional training with an apprenticeship as a chemical laboratory technician. He then studied chemistry at the Burgdorf School of Engineering. During and after his studies, he worked in private industry. In 2011, he joined Spiez Laboratory, becoming project manager for the investigation of contaminated military sites. He subsequently took part in missions organised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and also became a member of the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA). While working, he completed an EMBA degree and further training in radiation protection. In 2016, he took over as head of the then Environmental Analytics Group, which was reorganised under his leadership as the Radiochemistry and Inorganic Analytics Group. He undertook further studies in the UK and the USA in the fields of sampling and environmental investigations. Since 1 January 2023, he has been Head of the Nuclear Chemistry Division at the Spiez Laboratory.
Dr César Metzger, Head of the Biology Division
César Metzger grew up in Lausanne. He studied biology at the Universities of Colorado (Boulder, USA) and Lausanne, where he obtained a BSc and an MSc in evolutionary biology. He graduated from the University of Basel with a PhD in zoology/evolutionary parasitology. In 2014, he joined Spiez Laboratory as Deputy Head of the National NBC Protection Office. In 2016, he was appointed Head of the Incident Response and Individual Protection Branch. In addition, he became Deputy Chief of the NBC Protection Division (now CBRNe Protection Systems Division). Since 2019, he has held the position of Head of the NBC Coordination Unit. In this function, he coordinated Spiez Laboratory’s cooperation with national and international partner institutions across all CBRNe disciplines. Since 2016, he has also served as Scientific Secretary of the Federal Commission for NBC Protection (ComNBC). From August 2022 to the end of January 2025, he headed the CBRNe Protection Systems department. Since 1 February 2025, he has headed the Biology department.
Dr Christian Arioli, Head of CBRNe Protection Systems Division
Christian Arioli studied biology at ETH Zurich, graduating with a diploma in natural sciences. He then earned a doctorate in biology (Dr. sc. nat.) at the University of Zurich. In addition, he obtained the diploma in higher education teaching in biology at ETH Zurich and completed his studies to become a federally recognised Swiss Armed Forces Career Officer.
From 2006 to 2025, Christian Arioli served as a Career Officer in the Swiss Armed Forces, most recently as commander of the Veterinary Service and Military Animals Centre of Competence, as commander of the NBC EOD Centre of Competence and as chief of staff of the Joint Operations Command. In his last position, he was promoted to brigadier general.
Since August 2025, he has been working at Spiez Laboratory as Head of CBRNe Protection Systems Division.
Mauro Zanni, Head of the Logistics, Quality and Safety Division
After his apprenticeship as an architectural draughtsman, Mauro Zanni worked in architecture firms in Lausanne and Spiez. During this time, he studied computer science at the technical college in Bern. Subsequently, he worked for the private sector in the areas of software development, training, sales and network technology. In 2006, he joined Spiez Laboratory as Head of the Measurement Technology and Laboratory Informatics Branch. Since 1 June 2008, he has served as the head of the Logistics, Quality and Safety Division and with responsibility for quality management (ISO/IEC 17025). In 2012, he completed a part-time postgraduate degree in management (NDS HF).
Dr Cédric Invernizzi, Head of the NBC Arms Control Division
Cédric Invernizzi completed his MSc in chemistry in 2000 and his PhD in biochemistry at the University of Bern in 2003. He took up a postdoctoral research position at McGill University in Montréal, Canada in 2004 and conducted research in the field of virology and related areas such as immunology and epidemiology. In 2009, he joined Spiez Laboratory as Head of Arms Control for Biological Weapons. Since then, he has been deeply involved in issues related to arms control in the context of biological weapons and dual use. Since 2020, he has served as the head of the NBC Arms Control Division at Spiez Laboratory.
Dr Kurt Münger, Head of Planning and Control
Kurt Münger studied history and German language and literature at the University of Bern and the Free University of Berlin, graduating with a licentiate (lic. phil.) and a master’s degree (M.A.), respectively, as well as a teaching qualification for grammar schools from the Canton of Bern. He then pursued a doctoral degree in modern general history at the Free University of Berlin, after which he worked as a communications specialist in the private sector. In 2003, he joined Spiez Laboratory as Head of Information. From 2007, he was Head of Communications at the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP). In 2019, he returned to Spiez Laboratory as Head of Planning and Control.
David Mirer, Head of Emergency Response Organisations Spiez Laboratory
David Mirer grew up in Chur and completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry, specializing in biological chemistry, at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences. From 2015 to 2021, he worked at the Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF) in Davos, where he focused on biological safety. He then moved to the private sector, working as a biosafety officer at Lonza AG in Visp, among other positions. At the same time, he was involved in civil protection in the canton of Graubünden from 2009 to 2025, taking part in operations as a corporal in the NBC support company, for example at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Alongside his professional duties, he pursued further training in laboratory safety (NBC). Since 1 September 2025, he has been Head of Emergency Response Organisations at Spiez Laboratory.