12 professors at ETH Zurich appointed

Professor Martin Ackermann (*1971), currently Associate Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Molecular Microbial Ecology. Martin Ackermann researches topics at the interface between molecular microbiology and evolutionary ecology. He has established himself as one of the world's leading authorities on experimental microbial evolution. For example, he has demonstrated how random molecular processes in a genetically homogeneous group of bacteria can give rise to diversification, which is directly relevant to our understanding of pathogenic bacteria. As a professor at ETH Zurich and a Group Leader at external page Eawag, Martin Ackermann achieves a productive combination of pure and applied research.

Professor Niklas Beisert (*1977), currently Associate Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Mathematical Physics. Niklas Beisert has received global recognition for his calculation methods in the areas of quantum field theory, string theory and symmetries. He works on maximally supersymmetric gauge theories, which appear to possess additional integrable symmetry in a specific border range. Using this suspected symmetry he has succeeded in making precise, non-trivial predictions regarding the energy spectrum of these supersymmetric gauge theories. By promoting Niklas Beisert to a full professorship, the Department of Physics is reinforcing its globally recognised leadership in the field of mathematical physics.

Professor Srđan Čapkun (*1976), currently Associate Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Computer Science. Srđan Čapkun works on network security, which covers Internet security and the security of wireless networks. He has made substantial contributions to key problems, such as distance bounding, localisation and anti-jamming. In these areas it is necessary to be able to process signals in nanoseconds, which he has achieved by building special hardware. Srđan Čapkun's work has numerous practical applications, such as in the development of cardiac pacemakers. His field of research fills a gap in the Department of Computer Science and is a key strategic area.

Professor Patrick Cheridito (*1969), currently Associate Professor at Princeton University, New Jersey, USA, as Full Professor of Insurance Mathematics. Patrick Cheridito conducts research in the field of stochastic financial mathematics and has published a series of major articles on modern risk theory, the theory of stochastic processes and valuation theory for financial securities. He has also succeeded in finding convincing solutions for important practical problems, and is therefore in demand as an adviser to the Swiss financial industry. With the appointment of Patrick Cheridito, ETH Zurich is building on its successful tradition in the field of insurance mathematics and financial mathematics.

Dr Margarita Chli (*1983), currently Chancellor's Fellow and Tenure Track Lecturer at the School of Informatics of the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, as Assistant Professor of Vision for Robotics. Margarita Chli has received international recognition for her research in the field of visual robot navigation for autonomous localisation and area mapping. She participated in the first fully autonomous flight of a small helicopter with onboard localisation and mapping, which was navigated using only a camera and an inertial sensor. Her approaches have led to collaborations with leading companies. The appointment of Margarita Chli enables ETH Zurich to expand its leadership in the field of robotics.

Professor Katrien De Bock (*1980), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at the Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Belgium, as Associate Professor of Exercise and Health. Katrien De Bock works on muscular adjustment processes in physical training. Her group investigates how training regulates the formation of new blood vessels in muscles and how the availability of oxygen and nutrients influences factors such as insulin sensitivity. This is particularly important for preventing lifestyle diseases such as obesity and diabetes. By appointing Katrien De Bock, whose professorship is being supported by the Wilhelm Schulthess Foundation for ten years, ETH Zurich is strengthening research in this forward-looking area.

Professor Christian Franck (*1973), currently Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, as Associate Professor of High Voltage Engineering. Christian Franck has conducted highly successful research in the field of circuit breakers and circuit breaker simulations. His work in the field of power interruption, current limitation and gas insulation has gained him a prominent position in international research and he is regarded as an innovative developer of new technical solutions. With the appointment of Christian Franck as Associate Professor, the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering is enhancing its research capability in a subject area that is of great significance to electrical energy provision.

Professor Siddhartha Mishra (*1980), currently Associate Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Applied Mathematics. Siddhartha Mishra researches and teaches in the fields of numerical analysis, scientific computing and solving systems of hyperbolic conservation equations. This work plays a key role in hypersonic and multiphase flows, combustion, plasma simulation and magnetohydrodynamics, and has applications in areas which include astrophysics and nuclear fusion. Siddhartha Mishra has earned an outstanding global reputation and also makes key contributions in the strategic area of computer-aided science and to the Swiss High Performance Computing Initiative.

Professor Renato Renner (*1974), currently Associate Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Theoretical Physics. Renato Renner works on the development of new information theory methods that are suitable for applications in thermodynamics. He has succeeded in deriving a universal formula for the waste heat produced during calculation processes. Using a similar information theory approach he was also able to gather new insights regarding the foundations of quantum theory. Renato Renner is recognised worldwide as one of the leading theoreticians of his generation in the quantum information sciences. His work makes a major contribution to ETH Zurich's strong international position in this field.

Dr Alessandro Sisto (*1986), currently a post-doctoral student at ETH Zurich, as Assistant Professor of Mathematics. Alessandro Sisto's field of work is geometric group theory, an area of research at the interface between geometry and algebra. One of his main interests is generalisations of hyperbolic groups, which play a central role in geometric group theory. He is a world leader in this field. In addition, he has made important contributions on numerous other topics, including random walks and mapping class groups. Through the appointment of Alessandro Sisto, ETH Zurich is gaining a very promising young scientist with excellent contacts.

Dr Fabian Walter (*1978), currently a Senior Assistant at ETH Zurich, as Assistant Professor of Glacier Seismology. Fabian Walter researches various aspects of glacier seismology and glacier calving. His internationally acclaimed research is very significant for the assessment of glacier risks such as glacial lake outbursts. Both his research and teaching ideally complement the activities of the Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology (VAW) in the field of physical glaciology, and particularly in glacier seismology. Through the appointment of Fabian Walter, ETH Zurich is laying new emphasis on research into protection against natural hazards.

Dr Melanie Zeilinger (*1982), currently Research Associate at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Tübingen, Germany, as Assistant Professor of Intelligent Control Systems. Melanie Zeilinger works on control systems for large-scale dispersed and highly complex systems in changing, insecure environments. One objective of her research, which has strong international links, is to fully exploit the potential of the available data in order to develop agile, high-performance controllers for security-critical systems. Melanie Zeilinger will introduce forward-looking topics in the field of intelligent control systems to the research and teaching of ETH Zurich and strengthen its leading role in this area.

Award of the title of Professor

Dr Michael Stauffacher (*1965), Senior Scientist and Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich and Associate Professor Extraordinary at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, as Adjunct Professor at ETH Zurich. Michael Stauffacher successfully focuses on socio-environmental research, including the topics of nuclear waste disposal, electricity supply after Fukushima and sustainable urban development. He also makes an important contribution to ETH Zurich through his dedicated teaching.

Departures from ETH Zurich