Appointments at EPFL

Professor Friedhelm Hummel was named as Full Professor of Life Sciences in the School of Life Sciences (SV).
Friedhelm Hummel is an internationally renowned specialist in the research and treatment of stroke. He was the first person to demonstrate using non-invasive methods such as magnetic stimulation to stimulate the brain can improve stroke patients’ motor functions. Friedhelm Hummel is the ideal person for this Chair, which focuses on neurotechnology and human-machine interaction. He will work both at the Campus Biotech in Geneva and at the Campus EPFL Valais Wallis.

Martin Jaggi was named as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Communication Systems in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences (IC).
Martin Jaggi is already a highly regarded mathematician and computer scientist. He dedicates his entire energy to the relatively new field of machine learning. The automated recognition of patterns and laws in big data is currently developing very fast and promises progress in a wide range of scientific applications. In Martin Jaggi, EPFL is gaining a very dynamic – and, despite his youth, persuasive – scientist who will continue to establish and drive forward his specialist field in research and teaching.

Andrew Oates was named as Full Professor of Life Sciences in the School of Life Sciences (SV).
Andrew Oates is a highly innovative, world-renowned developmental biologist. His research focuses on genetic programmes that trigger the embryonic development of vertebrates through the formation of somites in a precisely defined time sequence. His interdisciplinary approach combining theoretical biology, system biology, physics, computer modelling and quantitative imaging methods have enabled him to achieve widely acclaimed breakthroughs using zebra fish as an example.

Pavan Ramdya was named as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Life Sciences in the School of Life Sciences (SV).
Pavan Ramdya is a promising neurobiologist who is investigating the group behaviour of drosophila flies using neurogenetics, observation of behaviour and computer simulations. At EPFL he will be focusing, inter alia, on the formation of patterns of leg movement in vertebrates and non-vertebrates. Pavan Ramdya is familiar with a broad spectrum of disciplines and methods, which he combines. This enables him to tackle highly demanding biological questions with translational potential.

Paolo Ricci was named as Associate Professor of Plasma Physics in the School of Basic Sciences (SB).
Paolo Ricci is a very creative scientist with high potential. In recent years, he has managed to position himself internationally at the forefront of his field. His research focuses on three topics: the simulation and analysis of turbulence in Tokamak fusion reactors, the dynamics of high-speed ions, and the validation of numerical codes used to simulate plasma turbulence.

Christian Theiler was named as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Plasma Physics in the School of Basic Sciences (SB).
In recent years, Christian Theiler has achieved worldwide acclaim for his scientific results and papers in highly regarded publications. During a period at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, USA, his work included developing a new technique of spectroscopic measurement of the exchange of charges in the plasma of a Tokamak reactor. He uses his findings to further improve this type of fusion reactor in international projects.