Fifteen professors appointed

Professor Sarbajit Banerjee (*1978), currently Professor at Texas A&M University in College Station, USA, as Full Professor of Battery Materials in the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences. Sarbajit Banerjee’s award-winning research is concerned with the mechanisms underlying energy storage. He has a particular interest in developing the molecular and material bases of electrochemical energy storage and finding scalable solutions to speed up the energy transition. As a full professor at ETH Zurich and Head of the Electrochemistry Laboratory at PSI, Sarbajit Banerjee will strengthen the links between the research areas of inorganic chemistry and materials science as well as boosting cross-collaboration between the two institutions.

Roger Boltshauser (*1964), currently Visiting Lecturer and Scientific Collaborator at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Architecture and Regenerative Materials in the Department of Architecture. Roger Boltshauser is an outstanding Swiss architect whose work involves the application of sustainable construction technologies in current architectural practice. In his research he has a particular interest in exploring the structural, constructional, physical and material characteristics of clay. He is an internationally acclaimed researcher with an exceptional body of architectural work which has been widely reflected upon and well received in numerous academic publications. Roger Boltshauser is also valued for building bridges between design and construction science.

Dr Na Cai (*1989), currently Principal Investigator at Helmholtz Pioneer Campus and at the Technical University of Munich, Germany, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Computational Medical Genomics in the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering. Na Cai conducts interdisciplinary research at the interface between genomics, bioinformatics and medicine on the genetic bases of neuropsychiatric diseases, and particularly major depressive disorders. She has made an important contribution in this area through developing new bioinformatic methods of analysing large genomic data sets. Na Cai's appointment strengthens the Department's expertise in medical genomics and bioinformatics.

Dr Linard Cantieni (*1979), currently Head of Department at the National Cooperative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste (Nagra) in Wettingen, as Full Professor of Underground Construction in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering. Linard Cantieni’s research has made a significant contribution to our understanding of spatial effects in tunnelling and has helped to explain the causes of errors in determining pressure in conventional calculation models. Linard Cantieni has already collaborated closely with EPFL and ETH Zurich in the course of experiments at the Mont Terri rock laboratory. In making this appointment, ETH Zurich is ensuring that research and teaching in the field of underground construction can continue to be conducted at a high level internationally.

Dr Melissa Chapman (*1992), currently Director’s Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis in Santa Barbara, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Environmental Policy in the Department of Environmental Systems Science. Melissa Chapman's research takes place at the intersection of data science and biodiversity. She uses large data volumes and artificial intelligence to identify strategies for the protection and restoration of ecosystems. In addition, she participates in the development of environmental monitoring systems and has already published numerous articles in prestigious publications. In the department, Melissa Chapman will close a key gap in research and teaching relating to the human and political dimensions of biodiversity and land use.

Dr Michal Friedman (*1989), currently a postdoctoral student at ETH Zurich, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Computer Science in the Department of Computer Science. Michal Friedman's research at the interface between programming languages, systems and modern hardware has contributed to the performance analysis of persistent memory for data processing, and to improving system performance. This award-winning researcher is also working on improving the efficiency of computer systems and reducing the environmental impacts of computer technology. Michal Friedman strengthens the Department’s capacities with her research on relevant, highly topical areas of computer science.

Professor Rolf Holderegger (*1965), currently Adjunct Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Conservation Biology in the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich and in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering at EPFL. Since 2011, Rolf Holderegger has been Head of the Biodiversity and Conservation Biology research unit at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL). In collaboration with partners such as the federal government, cantons and municipalities, he and his research unit develop scientific foundations for management strategies to protect biodiversity and natural resources in Switzerland and internationally. Rolf Holderegger was a member of the WSL Directorate from 2011 to 2023. He takes up the post of Director of WSL on 1 October 2024.

Professor Stefanie Jonas (*1980), currently Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, as Associate Professor of RNA Biology and Disease in the Department of Biology. As an assistant professor, Stefanie Jonas has dedicated herself to the National Centre of Competence in Research on “RNA & Disease – The role of RNA in disease mechanisms”, in which she has achieved excellent results. In her field of research – gene regulation in mammalian cells – she investigated the role of the “Integrator complex” and the regulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) in order to gain a mechanistic understanding of gene regulation pathways. Stefanie Jonas received an ERC Consolidator Grant in 2022 and has also gained a high international reputation as a lecturer and expert reviewer. She makes a significant contribution to the Department’s teaching.

Professor Soeren Lienkamp (*1978), currently Assistant Professor at the University of Zurich, as Associate Professor of Anatomy (Dual Professorship with the University of Zurich) in the Department of Health Sciences and Technology. Soeren Lienkamp’s research on molecular and structural processes during the development of the kidneys has led to a better understanding of congenital renal malformations and various forms of polycystic kidney disease. In future, his work will also focus on the understanding and control of cellular identity and developing models for rare syndromal diseases. His research has won multiple awards, including an ERC Starting Grant in 2020. The newly created joint professorship focuses on specialist knowledge in human medicine and fits perfectly into ETH Zurich’s strategic objective of training physicians and health experts and promoting interdisciplinary cooperation between researchers and hospitals.

Dr Michele Vallisneri (*1973), currently Senior/Principal Research Scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory of California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, USA, as Full Professor of Gravitational Physics in the Department of Physics. Michele Vallisneri is one of the world’s leading experts in observational gravitational-wave astrophysics. His research has contributed to the measurement of the gravitational-wave background from supermassive black hole binaries, and he is involved with the space-based Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), one of the flagship missions of the European Space Agency (ESA). Michele Vallisneri will play a leading role in shaping Switzerland’s contribution to LISA and will strengthen the ETH Zurich Space team.

Professor Kerstin Noëlle Vokinger (*1988), currently Associate Professor at the University of Zurich, as Associate Professor of Regulation in Law, Medicine and Technology (Dual Professorship with the University of Zurich) in the Department of Health Sciences and Technology. Kerstin Noëlle Vokinger researches and publishes not only in the area of law but also empirically in the fields of medicine and regulatory sciences, at the intersection of law, medicine and technology. She won the Swiss Science Prize Latsis 2022, among other awards. Her dual background in law and medicine strengthens the strategic partnership between ETH Zurich and the Faculty of Law of the University of Zurich. With her specialist knowledge of legal and regulatory matters, Kerstin Noëlle Vokinger will be able to boost the success of medical software and medtech hardware developed at ETH Zurich, as well as strengthening the teaching of human medicine, among other contributions.

Professor Ori Bar-Nur (*1980), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, as Associate Professor of Regenerative and Muscle Biology in the Department of Health Sciences and Technology. Ori Bar-Nur’s research has a particular focus on the development of cell-based and gene-based approaches to treat the degenerative loss of muscle mass. His discovery that fibroblasts in genuine muscle stem cells can be reprogrammed has a wide range of potential practical applications, right up to generating muscle stem cell lines from domesticated animals for the production of sustainable, more environmentally friendly foods. Ori Bar-Nur has already registered a patent in connection with this discovery. He is an active member of the scientific community and has headed the Institute of Human Movement Sciences and Sport at ETH Zurich since earlier this year.

Professor Andrea Burden (*1983), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, as Associate Professor of Pharmacoepidemiology in the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences. Andrea Burden's research in pharmacoepidemiology, with a particular focus on the role of metabolic syndrome on the safety and effectiveness of medications and the side-effects of paracetamol and rise in opioid consumption in Switzerland, has contributed significantly to establishing this subject area at ETH Zurich and communicating its importance to Swiss political circles and the general public. Andrea Burden is exceptionally successful at obtaining third-party funding for her research, and undertakes a large number of tasks for the institution.

Professor Benjamin Grewe (*1980), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, as Associate Professor of Neuronal Learning and Intelligent Systems in the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. Benjamin Grewe’s research programme at the intersection between traditional neurobiology and information science builds bridges between the experimental neurosciences and Deep Learning. He investigates intelligence in mammals and uses the results to advance the development of neural networks in the direction of artificial intelligence (AI). He has already identified several core abilities of the brain which AI systems lack. Benjamin Grewe has an excellent international network and participates actively in teaching, as well as in committee work and departmental processes.

Professor Lenny Winkel (*1975), currently Associate Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Environmental Inorganic Geochemistry in the Department of Environmental Systems Science. Lenny Winkel is regarded as a leading global expert in the field of biogeochemical cycles, particularly that of selenium. Her award-winning research studies the environmental behaviour of selenium and other trace elements such as arsenic that can accumulate in groundwater and have an impact on health. Lenny Winkel builds bridges between research groups and institutes at ETH Zurich and with Eawag, of which she is a member of the Directorate and a group leader. In 2019 she won a Golden Owl at ETH Zurich for her commitment to teaching.

Professor Irene Burger (*1978), Head of the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the Cantonal Hospital Baden and Adjunct Professor at the University of Zurich, as Professor of Practice in the Department of Health Sciences and Technology at ETH Zurich. Irene Burger is a recognised expert in radiology and nuclear medicine with a focus on oncological hybrid imaging. She combines positron emission tomography with computer tomography in order to generate a fusion image showing both the structure and function of the body. This can be used to determine and investigate diseases ranging from cancer to heart muscle injury. Irene Burger also conducts research into metabolic disorders. With her translational research and considerable teaching experience, she will enrich the Department and strengthen the transfer of new technologies to the clinical setting.

Departure

Professor Elsbeth Stern (*1957), currently Full Professor of Empirical Research in Learning and Teaching in the Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, is to retire at the end of January 2025. Elsbeth Stern joined ETH Zurich as a full professor in 2006. Her scientific work investigates the acquisition and application of knowledge in the STEM subjects from the perspective of cognitive psychology. She also researches the interaction between intelligence and knowledge experimentally and in longitudinal studies. Elsbeth Stern has won awards for her public outreach work on communicating research results. As Director of Studies she is responsible for the teacher training programme at the ETH Zurich. From 2012 to 2015 she was also Head of Department, having been Deputy Head from 2009 to 2012.