Ten professors appointed

Dr Máté József Bezdek (*1991), currently Postdoctoral Researcher at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Functional Coordination Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences. Máté József Bezdek’s research covers function-oriented design and the synthesis of coordination compounds with unusual electronic, magnetic and thermochemical properties. At ETH Zurich this award-winning researcher will devote himself to developing methods of using coordination chemistry to help solve problems of particular relevance to society in areas such as sustainable synthesis methods, energy management and sensor materials.

Professor Beate Jessel (*1962), currently President of the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Bonn, Germany, as Full Professor of Landscape Development in the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich and in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering at EPFL. Beate Jessel will take up her post as Director of the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) at the start of September 2021. A joint professorship at ETH Zurich and EPFL is attached to this role. Beate Jessel’s research interests encompass concepts and strategies for nature conservation, landscape development and land use management, environmentally oriented planning, river basin management and landscape aesthetics.

Dr Lana Josipović (*1991), currently Research Assistant at EPFL, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Digital Systems and Design Automation in the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. Lana Josipović’s research has a focus on high-level synthesis techniques for the automatic generation of hardware architectures based on abstract high-level programming, with a special emphasis on flexibility and parallelisation. This internationally acclaimed researcher is the ideal choice to strengthen the area of digital circuit technology and computer architecture in the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. Her appointment will also lead to important interactions and synergies with the Department of Computer Science.

Professor Arno Brandlhuber (*1964), currently Associate Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Architecture and Design in the Department of Architecture. Arno Brandlhuber is an internationally established practising architect with outstanding technical and conceptual skills, a theoretician of architecture and urban design, and a gifted teacher of design. Over the past four years, his media-based approach of experimenting with films and documentaries has enhanced teaching in the Department of Architecture in novel, valuable and important ways. His achievements also include a whole series of significant architectonic projects and exhibitions, including the German Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2021.

Professor Jan De Vylder (*1968), currently Associate Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Architecture and Design in the Department of Architecture. Jan De Vylder's work focuses on reusing materials and components of existing buildings and transforming complex built environments – an area that is set to grow in importance. He is a frequent participant in the international debate in this field, as can be seen from the many invitations he receives to exhibitions and lectures, as well as the awards with which he has been honoured. Thanks to his experience with completed buildings, Jan De Vylder will be in a position to make a significant contribution to “Architecture and Care”, a new strategic area of the Department of Architecture.

Professor An Fonteyne (*1971), currently Associate Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Affective Architectures in the Department of Architecture. An Fonteyne is an established practitioner in Belgium and a member of the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Science and the Arts, among other bodies. Her work encompasses the adaptive reutilisation of existing buildings. She advocates a building culture that pays particular attention to the economic and social boundary conditions of construction, as a counterweight to the trend towards self-oriented and object-related architecture. In addition to her architecture practice, An Fonteyne is a very successful teacher. At ETH Zurich she has, for example, developed a unique form of instruction which closely integrates design with teaching.

Professor Momoyo Kaijima  (*1969), currently Associate Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Architectural Behaviorology in the Department of Architecture. Momoyo Kaijima’s activities range from architectonic building design and the investigation of urban design phenomena to the production of works of art that bring her distinctive quality into the public arena. Her work has a particular focus on behaviorology: investigating the behaviour of people, objects or buildings in their contemporary social and physical setting. This renowned researcher has won multiple prizes and achieved wide recognition for her fieldwork-based studies and publications.

Professor Elli Mosayebi (*1977), currently Associate Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Architecture and Design in the Department of Architecture. Elli Mosayebi’s research concerns kinetic spaces and the question of how residential construction can be better combined with other types of programmes and uses. She identifies new forms of housing in changed living environments, devises innovative design strategies and develops kinetic prototypes. In addition, she carries out basic research into the development of past and present forms of housing, with the aim of designing historically appropriate model dwellings in selected cities. Elli Mosayebi is particularly noted for forging a close connection between practice, research and teaching.

Professor Michael Nash (*1982), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich and the University of Basel, as Associate Professor of Engineering of Synthetic Systems in the Department of Biosystems. His research focuses on the characterisation and optimisation of the biophysical properties of proteins by using rational design and evolutionary in vitro approaches. Over the past five years he has made a major contribution to teaching at both the University of Basel and ETH Zurich, where he is a popular lecturer. His academic excellence has been demonstrated by numerous awards and publications, including the patents he has initiated. Michael Nash will continue to hold a dual professorship with the University of Basel (Leading House).

Professor Alexandre Theriot (*1972), currently Associate Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Architecture and Design in the Department of Architecture. Alexandre Theriot's work covers the contemporary use of inexpensive materials and points to a significant shift in architectural methods in light of major economic changes. This approach is also reflected in the successful new teaching methods that Alexandre Theriot has tried out since taking up his post at ETH Zurich, with the aim of developing an architecture that makes minimal use of structures, materials and energy. His international reputation is evidenced by numerous exhibitions as well as major awards and prizes.