Four new professors at ETH Zurich

Professor Karsten Borgwardt (*1980), currently Professor at Tübingen University and Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Tübingen, Germany, as Associate Professor of Data Mining. Karsten Borgwardt is a globally recognised authority on computer-based searches in fast-growing datasets. Such methods are important for finding the genetic causes of complex diseases, for example, and developing new methods of diagnosis and treatment. Karsten Borgwardt's research combines systems biology and synthetic biology and has already won a number of prizes. With this appointment, ETH Zurich and the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering
in Basel are substantially strengthening their position in these strategic areas of research and increasing the potential for developing medical applications based on pure research.

Professor Florian Dörfler (*1982), currently Assistant Professor at the University of California in Los Angeles, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Complex Systems Control. Florian Dörfler is an internationally renowned expert in the analysis, control design and security of networked systems for controlling cyber-physical processes. His applications focus on robust smart grids and the associated optimisation of power flows via new control and synchronisation processes. The appointment of Florian Dörfler significantly strengthens teaching and research activities in automatic control at ETH Zurich, a field of activity where it already enjoys a leading international reputation.

Professor Martin O. Saar (*1972), currently Associate Professor with Tenure at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, USA, as Full Professor of Geothermal Energy and Geofluids. Martin Saar specialises in researching the interactions between fluids and rocks in the earth's core, and carries out numerical modelling and experimental investigations on this topic in the laboratory. His applied research looks, for example, at the possibility of capturing CO2 given off by gas-fired power plants and linking it to the extraction of deep geothermal energy. The appointment of Martin Saar will strengthen the Department of Earth Sciences' focus on researching Switzerland's geotechnically exploitable subsurface. The Chair will assume a key role in the “Swiss Competence Center on Energy Research (SCCER) – Supply of Electricity” and make an important contribution to the country's energy supply.

Professor André R. Studart (*1974), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, as Associate Professor of Complex Materials. André Studart conducts successful research into various areas of materials science, and his work on bio-inspired composites and on microcapsules has attracted particular attention. The innovativeness of his research, combined with academic depth, has led to a large number of excellent publications and several patents in the field of composite materials. André Studart will expand the Department's teaching capacity in inorganic, non-metallic materials as well as ideally complementing the research activity already undertaken by existing groups.

Retirements/departures from ETH Zurich

Professor Gerhard Girmscheid (*1949), currently Full Professor of Construction Process and Enterprise Management, will retire with effect from 1 August 2014. He has worked at ETH Zurich since 1996 as a specialist in service provision and support processes for construction companies. Using the SysBau® research approach, which he created, he developed practice-oriented models and processes to ensure sustainable corporate development in the construction sector and integrate sustainable structural components into the range of services offered. Gerhard Girmscheid has built up excellent national and international networks and shares his contacts with ETH Zurich.

Professor Wolfgang Kinzelbach (*1949), currently Full Professor of Groundwater and Hydromechanics, will retire with effect from 1 August 2014. He has conducted excellent research at ETH Zurich since 1996, with a focus on flow and transport processes in the environment, such as in water resources management and pollution control and remediation. Wolfgang Kinzelbach achieves a fruitful combination of scientific principles and engineering ability. He is particularly interested in sustainability, especially in emerging and developing countries. In addition, he has won widespread recognition for his significant contribution on the management side and his service on expert committees at ETH Zurich.

Professor Leonhard Kleiser (*1943), currently Full Professor of Fluid Mechanics, will retire with effect from 1 August 2014 after 20 years at ETH Zurich. He and his group have made internationally recognised contributions to the development of exact numerical methods for flow simulations and their application in researching fundamental phenomena of fluid dynamics. This work requires a high-performance computer infrastructure, which Leonhard Kleiser has built up at the Institute of Fluid Dynamics. He was also a member of the ICT Commission at ETH Zurich and of the High Performance Computing Switzerland working group, and served ETH Zurich in other management and specialist roles.

Professor Willem Koppenol (*1949), currently Full Professor of Bioinorganic Chemistry, will retire with effect from 1 August 2014. He has worked at ETH Zurich since 1994 and is a renowned expert on the chemistry and biochemistry of inorganic radicals. His areas of special interest include the bioinorganic aspects of oxygen toxicity. Willem Koppenol has made a significant contribution to the organisation of teaching and research at the Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry. For example, shortly after his appointment he took over as Director of the Laboratory and remained active in running it until 2004.

Professor Hans Rudolf Künsch (*1951), currently Full Professor of Mathematics, will retire with effect from 1 August 2014. Hans Rudolf Künsch was appointed as an Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich in 1983 and has been a Full Professor since 1992. He is principally interested in developing and investigating statistical processes for the analysis of time series and spatial data. He also conducts research into mathematical aspects and applications in the environmental sciences and image processing. Hans Rudolf Künsch has not only gained international attention and recognition as a statistician but has also made an outstanding contribution to teaching. For many years he was also extremely active on the governing body of the Department of Mathematics.

Professor Peter Marti (*1949), currently Full Professor of Structural Engineering, will retire with effect from 1 August 2014. After an international career in science and as a structural engineer, he was appointed to ETH Zurich in 1990. Peter Marti's research concentrates on experimentally supported theories on the deformation of large-load structures, new concepts for the design of curved bridges, as well as bonded concrete construction and convertible hybrid structures with automatic mechanical reinforcement. His research activities have secured a leading international position. In addition, Peter Marti takes a constructive part in the affairs of ETH Zurich, having been extremely active for many years as Director and Deputy Director of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering and of the Institute of Structural Engineering, among other roles.

Professor Josep Lluis Mateo (*1949), currently Full Professor of Architecture and Design, will retire with effect from 1 August 2014. Josep Lluis Mateo is an internationally known Spanish architect who was appointed to ETH Zurich in 2002. In his native country he is regarded as one of the leading proponents of his subject. His pragmatic approach to architecture, which seeks to fit even the largest construction projects into the urban context, was formed against the backdrop of the urban renovation of Barcelona. Josep Lluis Mateo's contribution enabled the Department of Architecture to establish its international orientation at the highest level, and to expand to include the essential components of the newer Spanish, Mediterranean and urban-oriented architecture.

Professor Reinhard Nesper (*1949), currently Full Professor of Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry, will retire with effect from 1 August 2014. Reinhard Nesper's main research interests focus on general solid state chemistry, the structural determination and electronic structure of solid materials, and models of structure formation and phase transitions. He represented the interests of his specialist area with outstanding commitment both inside and outside ETH Zurich, and thanks to his tireless efforts in various leading roles he became a pillar of the Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry and of the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences.

Professor Wolfgang Schett (*1949), currently Full Professor of Architecture and Design, will retire with effect from 1 August 2014. He was appointed to ETH Zurich in 1993 as an Associate Professor. In 1996 he was promoted to Full Professor. Wolfgang Schett understands how to incorporate the practical architectural/urban design work performed in his Basel office into his teaching. His neighbourhood-related urban surveys are very popular with students. They form the material basis for a cumulative analysis of urban structures that has been developed over recent years. As a member of the ETH Zurich Study Conference, and as Studies Delegate for the Department of Architecture, he played a key role in the reform of architecture studies.

Professor Johannes Friso van der Veen (*1949), currently Full Professor of Experimental Physics, will retire with effect from 1 August 2014. The physicist Johannes Friso van der Veen has been working at ETH Zurich and at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Villigen since 2000. He has successfully investigated the application of x-ray scattering techniques to research solid-liquid interfaces and embedded liquid films. Studies of this kind, which are all conducted on synchrotron radiation sources, provide insights into the processes of melting, freezing, crystal growth and the lubricating effect of liquid films. Johannes Friso van der Veen has an excellent international network of contacts and serves on a number of key bodies and committees. He is also a member of numerous international evaluation committees.

Professor Theo Wehner (*1949), currently Full Professor of Work and Organizational Psychology, will retire with effect from 1 August 2014. Theo Wehner is a psychologist and sociologist who was appointed to ETH Zurich in 1997. His scientific work has focused on research into psychological error, the relationship between experience and knowledge, cooperative and prosocial action in the context of work, and the analysis of erroneous action in complex environments. Theo Wehner's research enjoys a high international reputation. He also performed other important roles as the Director of the Center for Organizational and Occupational Sciences, in addition to carrying out management functions in the Department of Management, Technology and Economics.