News

ETH Zurich remains among the world’s top universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027. While maintaining its place in the global top 10, the university recorded notable gains in employer reputation, graduate outcomes, and international research collaboration.

The free, open-source software R has fundamentally transformed research in statistics and data science — and continues to shape the field to this day. Now the pioneers who have driven its development for some 30 years are receiving the Rousseeuw Prize for Statistics, worth one million US dollars. Among the laureates is Martin Mächler, a mathematician from ETH Zurich. 

Many AI robots appear intelligent as long as they operate in controlled environments. Neuroscientist and robotics researcher Elisa Donati explains why robots with real-world readiness require more than just fast software. 

When the eye’s cornea is severely damaged, a transplant is often the only solution. Yet donor tissue remains scarce. A researcher from ETH Zurich is developing an implant that could bridge this gap and restore people’s vision. 

Two young companies with ties to ETH Zurich – Baxiva and RegCheck – have won first place in their respective categories at this year’s Venture Awards. The awards were presented in Lausanne on 15 June 2026.

Researchers from ETH Zurich have developed a molecular switch that is controlled by light. It wakes lung cancer cells up from a protective dormant state so that they are more accessible for treatment.

The removal of CO₂ from the atmosphere is considered an important tool in the fight against climate change – but has so far been an energy-intensive and expensive process. Now, researchers have developed a new method that efficiently binds carbon dioxide and releases it again using only a small amount of energy. The starting materials are provided by waste products from dairy and soy processing.

Many AI systems answer questions in a matter of seconds – and, in the process, often prevent people from doing exactly what learning is all about: thinking for themselves. Machine learning expert Jakub Mačina is therefore developing models that don’t provide pupils with finished solutions, but rather help them to develop their understanding step by step. 

On 11 June, the football World Cup will kick off in Canada, Mexico and the USA. While fans worldwide get excited, ETH professor Ulrik Brandes is analysing the patterns of play and tactics adopted by the Swiss national team’s opponents. He bases his work on large volumes of data from matches, as well as position-related data. 

Researchers from ETH Zurich have developed an active ingredient that slows down the progression of typical Alzheimer’s symptoms in mice. This new substance protects nerve cells and could in future alleviate the suffering of Alzheimer’s patients. The active ingredient also shows anti-ageing effects. 

The chemical industry is involved in virtually every product we use in daily life. However, it is also responsible for a significant share of global CO₂ emissions. ETH researcher Ronja Rappold wants to change that. As an ETH Pioneer Fellow, she is developing microorganisms that convert CO₂ into useful chemicals as part of her planned ETH spin-off Teno Bioworks.