Twelve professors appointed

Professor Morteza Aramesh (*1985), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at Uppsala University, Sweden, as Assistant Professor of Single Molecule and Single Cell Biophysics in the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. Morteza Aramesh conducts research at the intersection of materials science, physics and nanotechnology, with the aim of discovering new applications for use in biology and medicine. Thanks to his ERC Starting Grant, Morteza Aramesh will be developing projects that use nanopores to analyse proteins in individual cells. He will also be cooperating with research groups in the Department of Health Sciences and Technology at ETH Zurich and at the University of Zurich.

Dr Amy E. Fraley (*1991), currently Postdoctoral Researcher at ETH Zurich, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Medicinal Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences. Amy Fraley’s interdisciplinary research programme focuses on the biosynthesis of natural products and combines fundamental evolutionary questions with new biotechnological applications. In her post as assistant professor she plans to expand the curriculum for pharmacy students by adding courses that emphasise the use of synthetic biology and biocatalysis in the development of new drugs. Her appointment provides an opportunity to strengthen the interface between biosciences and pharmaceutical sciences, while also investigating current issues to do with ecological sustainability.

Professor Mark Fuge (*1986), currently Associate Professor at the University of Maryland, USA, as Full Professor of Artificial Intelligence in Engineering Design in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering. Mark Fuge’s research concerns the use of artificial intelligence in technical design and product development processes. He investigates how machines can learn to design other machines. His work has won various prizes and he has extensive teaching experience. With this appointment, the Department is boosting its expertise in the areas of artificial intelligence, design and production technology, which is also of great importance to the recently revised Bachelor’s programme with its new emphasis on computer-assisted methods and machine learning.

Professor Eva Heinen (*1981), currently Full Professor at the Technical University of Dortmund, Germany, as Full Professor of Transportation and Mobility Planning in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering. Eva Heinen’s interdisciplinary research looks at mobility and transportation at the intersection of sustainable development, transport planning, spatial planning and health. Her research on non-motorised traffic led to an interest group being set up at the World Conference on Transport Research Society (WCTRS). Eva Heinen also has wide-ranging teaching experience. Her appointment will facilitate important interactions and synergies with other institutes and departments of ETH Zurich.

Michalis Kokologiannakis (*1993), currently a doctoral student at the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems, Kaiserslautern, Germany, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Computer Science in the Department of Computer Science. Michalis Kokologiannakis’ main area of research is programming languages, particularly formal software verification. Among other things, he develops advanced algorithms that are very efficient at analysing large numbers of programme executions. In his work, Michalis Kokologiannakis successfully builds bridges between theoretical principles and practical applications. This enables him to engage in productive partnerships with industry and turn his research into practice.

Dr Xiaohua Qin (*1984), currently Senior Researcher and Lecturer at ETH Zurich, as Assistant Professor of Biomaterials Engineering in the Department of Health Sciences and Technology. Xiaohua Qin’s research focuses on developing novel biomaterials and advanced manufacturing processes for cutting-edge applications in biomedicine, for which he received a 2022 ERC Starting Grant subsidised by SERI. He has published a long list of peer-reviewed articles, and two of his four patents are already in use in the medical technology industry. His appointment will further strengthen the links between the research areas of biomaterials engineering, biomechanics and medical technology.

Martina Voser (*1973), currently owner and member of the Executive Board of mavo Landschaften gmbh and Visiting Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Landscape Architecture in the Department of Architecture. Martina Voser is regarded as one of the leading figures in Swiss landscape architecture and has won multiple awards for her work. Her projects are not only conceptually sound and visually impressive, but also sociologically and ecologically motivated. In addition to her excellent achievements in practice, she has made a major contribution over many years to the debate on technical and theoretical matters and professional policy. Martina Voser is a committed teacher as well as a sought-after jury member, critic and expert who sits on various committees and advisory panels.

Dr Basile Isidore Martin Wicky (*1988), currently Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Washington in Seattle, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Biomolecular Design in the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering. Basile Wicky's research focuses on computational protein design and synthetic biology for programming biomolecular and cellular systems. One of the long-term aims of his research is to develop new molecular and cellular therapies. His appointment will foster important synergies both with academic research and with the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals industries, which have a particular interest in the use of artificial intelligence for discovering and developing medicines.

Professor Elliott Ash (*1984), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, as Associate Professor of Law, Economics and Data Science in the Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences. In his research, Elliott Ash is particularly interested in the empirical analysis of law and the legal system. He applies methods drawn from machine learning, natural language processing and econometrics to large legal datasets in order to investigate the effects of laws, court decisions and contracts on human behaviour and markets. This places him at the forefront of international legal research. He has already obtained significant third-party funding, including an ERC Starting Grant in 2022, and has helped found four spin-offs.

Professor Hubert Pausch (*1984), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, as Associate Professor of Animal Genomics in the Department of Environmental Systems Science. Hubert Pausch’s research investigates livestock genomics. In his research programme he makes very creative use of the latest technological innovations, contributing to further innovations. This leading scientist is a member of several expert bodies and is highly committed to public outreach. As a driving force in the highly topical research area of cattle genome analysis, and a scientist who makes use of modern tools and creative approaches, Hubert Pausch is a perfect match with the Department’s main research focus.

Professor Sascha Patrick Quanz (*1979), currently Associate Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Exoplanets and Habitability in the Department of Physics. Sascha Quanz is internationally recognised as a leading scientist in the expanding field of exoplanetary research. He has a particular interest in the direct detection and characterisation of extrasolar planets. In the course of his research he participates in numerous observation programmes using the James Webb telescope and ground-based telescopes, as well as in consortia for the development of instruments. He is Deputy Director – and thus a key member – of the new Centre for Origin and Prevalence of Life at ETH Zurich, as well as being Deputy Director of ETH Zurich | Space (both founded in 2022).

Professor Rico Zenklusen (*1981), currently Associate Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Mathematics. Rico Zenklusen conducts research in the field of combinatorial optimisation. The main goal of this area of study is to use mathematical techniques to develop fast algorithms for a wide range of calculation questions. He is internationally acknowledged as a leading mathematician. Rico Zenklusen is Deputy Director of the Institute for Operations Research and nurtures an extensive international network of colleagues, as may also be seen from his impressive list of publications. He has won a number of awards, including an ERC Consolidator Grant in 2018 and a Golden Owl from ETH Zurich in 2021.

Award of the title of “Professor of Practice”

Professor Stefan Kurz (*1966), currently VP Chief Expert at Robert Bosch GmbH and Lecturer at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, as Professor of Practice at ETH Zurich. Stefan Kurz is an established leader in industry with a wide-ranging background in research and development. During his career he has made significant contributions to both science and industry, and has spurred innovations. At ETH Zurich he will tackle current issues in industrial research and development, offering a large number of projects in the fundamentals of the fields of hybrid modelling and computational electromagnetics. He will take up his new role at the beginning of February 2024 and will be awarded the title of Professor of Practice as of that date.