Nicolas Goeldel studied biochemistry in Munich and San Diego. Subsequently, he completed his PhD in Lausanne in the field of drug research with a focus on diabetes. During this time, he also gained professional experience in the pharmaceutical industry as visiting scientist at the Novartis Institute of Biomedical Research in Cambridge. He will dedicate his year as a Mercator Fellow to develop a technical solution to ensure a continuous medical care for refugees in humanitarian settings who suffer from non-communicable, chronic diseases.