Eight professors appointed at ETH Zurich

Professor Stelian Coros (*1982), currently Assistant Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Computational Robotics. Stelian Coros is an innovative young scientist who demonstrates great potential in the area of finding novel methods and algorithms for digital design, and in the computational fabrication of robots. He works with 3D printers in particular, and uses a wide range of different materials and approaches – including “soft robots” – for the construction of prototypes and when physically building his systems. Stelian Coros ideally complements the Department of Computer Science in the field of Computational Robotics and Cyberphysical Systems.

Dr Stefan Feuerriegel (*1989), currently Research Group Leader at the University of Freiburg, Germany, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Management Information Systems. Stefan Feuerriegel conducts research into the digitalisation of specific industries, paying particular attention to the impact of new information and communication technologies. He utilises available data from the real world and also builds his own information systems, which he uses for experiments. Stefan Feuerriegel makes use of an extensive set of quantitative methods in order to identify new patterns and draw conclusions that are relevant to management. Through the appointment of Stefan Feuerriegel, the Department of Management, Technology and Economics is strengthening its links with computer science as well as with the areas of health and energy.

Daniel M. Hall (*1985), currently a doctoral student at Stanford University, California, USA, as Assistant Professor of Innovative and Industrial Construction. Daniel Hall, who is currently completing his doctorate, has already received a number of awards and grants for his research. He is particularly interested in the question of how systemic innovations can make the construction industry more productive. To this end, he develops new forms of project management for complex projects, as well as new process structures and organisational models. By appointing Daniel Hall, the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering is reinforcing its position as a link between civil engineering and the construction industry.

Professor Steven Lee Johnson (*1975), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, as Associate Professor of Physics. Steven Johnson’s research focuses on ultrafast processes in materials whose properties derive from strongly correlated electrons. His work in this area includes developing time-resolved measurement methods which use X-rays, and investigating phase transitions of properties of matter in disequilibrium, both in solid state physics and in selected chemical systems. By appointing Steven Johnson as an Associate Professor, ETH Zurich is strengthening the links between the Department of Physics and the PSI, which is funding 50% of the professorship.

Anne Lacaton (*1955), currently a partner in the architecture firm Lacaton&Vassal, Paris, France, as Associate Professor of Architecture and Design. Anne Lacaton is an internationally acclaimed architect. Her designs and constructions make a clear statement in support of the human rather than the iconic. She shows great consideration for the concerns of the people involved, such as residents in areas undergoing redevelopment. Her design concepts aim to facilitate user participation. This applies to residential buildings just as much as to schools or museums. Through the appointment of Anne Lacaton, the Department of Architecture at ETH Zurich is gaining an academically outstanding teacher with socio-political integrity and a visionary approach to architecture.

Professor Paola Picotti (*1977), currently Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, as Associate Professor of Molecular Systems Biology. Paola Picotti is a very promising young scientist who has gained international recognition in the field of quantitative biology. Her work has already been awarded a Latsis Prize by ETH Zurich and an ERC Starting Grant. Paola Picotti's achievements include developing promising new technologies in the field of targeted proteomics to allow the rapid identification and quantification of specific proteins in complex mixtures. By using innovative approaches in the field of quantitative mass spectroscopy, Paola Picotti has not only earned an excellent reputation for developing new methods, but has also applied them to medically-related processes such as protein aggregation diseases.

Professor David Steurer (*1984), currently Assistant Professor at Cornell University, Ithaca, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Theoretical Computer Science. David Steurer is an internationally recognised expert on fundamental questions of efficient computation in relation to optimisation and data analysis. This subject area seeks to determine the optimum algorithm in terms of efficiency and solution quality for the problem under consideration. David Steurer has been able to demonstrate that the optimum algorithm can be determined in realistic computation models using the “sum of squares” method. By appointing him, the Department of Computer Science is strengthening the research area of theoretical computer science, particularly complexity theory.

Professor Martin Vechev (*1977), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, as Associate Professor of Computer Science. One of Martin Vechev’s specialist areas is the development of parallel software. This topic is of great practical relevance because of the growing prevalence of multi-core processors and cloud computing. Martin Vechev received an ERC Starting Grant in 2016. His project exploits huge, open source software databases known as “Big Code”. He uses methods derived from machine learning to filter the information contained in these databases, before subjecting the results to statistical analysis. One of his goals in this respect is to drive forward the development of automated programming.

Award of the title of Professor