Franco Gómez Schumacher

Zürich, Switzerland

franco@goxcoworld.com · LinkedIn

About

A high school graduate with a broad international background, currently in an extended two-year gap year focused on hands-on learning, cultural exchange, and community service before starting university in 2027. Born in Mexico and raised across China, Panama, and Switzerland, I've explored design and engineering through various independent and structured projects. Academically, I've concentrated on subjects such as biology, mathematics, and geography. My multilingual background has developed both in and outside of the classroom, and I enjoy projects that combine design, emerging technologies, and collaborative problem-solving. I'm an enthusiastic endurance athlete who loves being outdoors, including cycling, swimming, running, rowing, hiking and skiing.

Education

ETH Zürich Planned 2027 – 2030

Mechanical Engineering Bachelor

Realgymnasium Rämibühl Zürich 2020 – 2025

Swiss Matura & International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (bilingual)

  • Higher Level: Mathematics, English, German
  • Standard Level: Biology, Geography, Italian
  • Maturitätsarbeit & Extended Essay: Designed and prototyped a biomechanically-informed system to measure rowing force
Summer Institute for the Gifted 2017, 2018, 2019

Attended 3 summer sessions in the U.S. focused on accelerated academic enrichment and creative exploration

International School of Panama 2015 – 2020

Bilingual education under the U.S. system with a focus on STEAM subjects and intercultural learning

Wellington College International Shanghai 2014 – 2015

Early education in an international British school setting

Experience

Feldassistenz in der Forschung — Universität Basel Planning Jan – Jun 2027

Departement Umweltwissenschaften · Zivildienst

  • Field assistant on a long-term climate-change experiment studying drought responses of temperate tree species under rain-exclusion conditions
  • Field and lab work: sensor maintenance, plant and soil sampling, ecophysiological sample preparation, stable isotope measurements, and data management
Autonomous Systems Lab (ASL) — ETH Zürich Jan – Feb 2026 & Aug – Dec 2026

Zivildienst · Second stint planned

  • Assisting in robotics and mechatronics research at one of ETH's leading autonomous systems research groups
  • Gaining firsthand exposure to academic research environments and advanced engineering systems
Independent Development — CS50x & Mandarin Mar – Jul 2026
  • Completing Harvard's CS50x covering algorithms, data structures, C, Python, SQL, and web development
  • Recovering Mandarin Chinese through structured study; HSK 3 certified (January 2026), targeting HSK 4 by end of 2026
Accelerated Biosciences — Kaohsiung, Taiwan Sep – Nov 2025

Internship & Language Immersion

  • 3-month internship at a stem cell regenerative medicine company
  • Immersive Mandarin language recovery; achieved HSK 3 certification (January 2026)
Goschumi AG Since Jan 2024

Invoicing & Book-keeping

  • Tracking, managing, and processing invoices and expenses
  • Gained practical insight into the financial and administrative processes of a small business
Personal Technical Projects
  • Ergonomic Keyboard Design: Designed and assembled custom mechanical keyboards, including PCB wiring, case design, and switch configuration
  • Force Measurement System for Rowers: Developed a system integrating mechanical, electrical, and biomechanical principles to quantify rowing force per stroke using force sensors and microcontroller data logging

Skills

Technical Design

Shapr3D (CAD), Fusion360, prototyping, PCB design (KiCad)

Manufacturing & Hardware

3D printing, soldering, PCB assembly, laser cutting

Programming

C, Python, SQL, HTML/CSS (via Harvard CS50x), Arduino, microcontroller integration

Soft Skills

Adaptable, detail-oriented, culturally diverse & aware, enthusiastic collaborator

Languages

Fluent English, Spanish, German, Swiss German
Intermediate French, Italian, Mandarin (HSK 3 certified January 2026, targeting HSK 4)

International Background

Born in Mexico, raised in Shanghai, Panama, and currently based in Switzerland. Education across international schools and multilingual societies across four continents has shaped a flexible, global mindset. Comfortable collaborating in diverse, cross-cultural teams and adapting quickly to new environments.