Appointment of EPFL professors

New appointments at EPFL

Dr Richard Irving Anderson, currently Research and Teaching Associate at EPFL, as Assistant Professor of Physics in the School of Basic Sciences (SB)
Richard Irving Anderson’s work combines stellar astrophysics with observational cosmology. In particular he investigates stars that can be used to help measure astronomical distances: these are known as standard candles. The research undertaken by Richard Irving Anderson fits in with EPFL's strategic orientation in the field of imaging, and should facilitate interdisciplinary cooperations in the areas of image processing and computer vision. In 2020 he was awarded an ERC Starting Grant and an SNSF Eccellenza Professorial Fellowship.

Dr Andrés Cristi, currently Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Chile, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Technology Management at the College of Management of Technology (CDM)
Andrés Cristi’s research lies at the intersection of operations research, economics and computer science. He has a particular interest in the interaction between probability theory and game theory, and in how these approaches can lead to new principles that help build a better society. His research on stable assignment problems has led to an improvement of Chile’s nation-wide school admission system. A rising star in the field, he had visited numerous institutes during his studies (Max Planck Institute for Informatics, London School of Economics, Simons Institute at UC Berkeley) and earned the highly competitive Facebook PhD fellowship.

Dr Sangwoo Kim, currently Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of California, Santa Barbara, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the School of Engineering (STI)
Sangwoo Kim is an expert in computational and theoretical biomechanics, with strong background in multiple domains of science, such as engineering, physics, applied mathematics and biology. His research focuses on how to model and explain emerging properties of developing biological tissues using modern techniques from non-equilibrium statistical mechanics and soft-matter physics. The impact of his studies is relevant to the fundamental advance of scientific knowledge as well as to applications, such as the development of new biomaterials and the study of tumoral growth. Sangwoo Kim’s appointment will increase the visibility of this area of research at EPFL and foster new interdisciplinary interactions within the school.members of the Federal Institute of Technology.

Dr Nicolas Thomä, currently Senior Group Leader at the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, as Full Professor of Life Sciences in the School of Life Sciences (SV)
Nicolas Thomä is an expert in structural biology and cryo-electron microscopy. In the course of his career, he has made a series of groundbreaking discoveries in molecular structures and interactions. The work of this internationally acclaimed researcher opens new concepts in the area of drug development, among others. He is one of the few researchers to have received three consecutive grants from the European Research Council (an ERC Consolidator Grant in 2010 and an ERC Advanced Grant in both 2015 and 2020).

Dr Christian Wäckerlin, currently Research and Teaching Associate at EPFL and Group Leader at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), as Assistant Professor of Physics in the School of Basic Sciences (SB)
Christian Wäckerlin’s research focuses on nanoscience and quantum engineering. Understanding and controlling quantum phenomena is of great importance to the development of the information processing devices of the future. In this regard, he and his team concentrate mainly on investigating polymers with weak intermolecular bonds. Christian Wäckerlin has been awarded an SNSF Eccellenza Professorial Fellowship for his innovative research project. He will carry out this project in close collaboration with PSI.

Dr Valerio Zerbi, currently Research and Teaching Associate at EPFL, as Assistant Professor of Neurotechnology in the School of Engineering (STI)
Valerio Zerbi is a pioneering scientist in the field of preclinical magnetic resonance imaging. He develops magnetic resonance imaging techniques and uses them in combination with neuromodulation approaches, rodent models, machine-learning algorithms, electrophysiology and behavioral tests. His research aims at describing and understanding network signatures underpinning the pathophysiology of different neurological and psychiatric conditions, including Autism, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. He was awarded an SNSF Eccellenza Professorial Fellowship in 2022.

Promotions at EPFL

Professor Felix Naef, currently Associate Professor at EPFL, as Full Professor of Life Sciences in the School of Life Sciences (SV)
Felix Naef's specialist area is chronobiology, a field in which he is one of the world’s leading researchers. He has made important discoveries about how circadian rhythms affect gene expression. After originally focusing on pure computational biology, his laboratory expanded its research to include experimental work acquiring its own data. As an independent Group Leader, Felix Naef has led an extremely successful research programme in an area of great importance for biology and medicine. He is also highly committed to his teaching and administrative duties at EPFL, as well as serving on many committees and other bodies.

Professor João Penedones, currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Associate Professor of Theoretical Physics in the School of Basic Sciences (SB)
João Penedones works in the field of quantum field theory and quantum gravity. He is an internationally acknowledged expert on the bootstrapping procedure. His excellent teaching is reflected not only in very good evaluations from students, but also in the decisive part he played in setting up an internationally recognised course on high energy physics that attracts scientists from throughout the world. João Penedones currently runs the Fields and Strings Laboratory while also taking a leading role in the new Bernoulli Centre.

Professor Mahmut Selman Sakar, currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the School of Engineering (STI)
Mahmut Selman Sakar is an international expert in the field of micro- and nanorobotics, with focus on micromechanics applied to cellular tissues. His research onnew propulsion systems for microrobots has received international acclaim. Among other grants, he was awarded an ERC Starting Grant in 2017 and an ERC Proof of Concept Grant in 2020. At EPFL, he runs the MicroBioRobotic Systems Laboratory (MICROBS) and is known for his commitment to high-quality teaching. Through generations of students, through his highly innovative research and a wide network of collaborations, Mahmut Selman Sakar contributes to developing, at EPFL, the future of his field.

Professor Carmela Troncoso, currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Associate Professor of Computer Science and Communication Systems in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences (IC)
Carmela Troncoso’s research focuses on developing improved data protection technologies for inclusion in the design of complex computer systems. She runs the Security and Privacy Engineering Laboratory at EPFL, is internationally acclaimed for her expertise in security and data protection technology, and has won a number of awards. In addition, she is a member of the key academic bodies and committees in this area as well as serving on organisational committees for conferences. Carmela Troncoso is highly regarded for her teaching and for her commitment in areas outside of EPFL.

Award of the title of Professor

Dr Frédéric Blanc, currently Senior Scientist at EPFL's School of Basic Sciences (SB), as Adjunct Professor at EPFL.
Frédéric Blanc is a particle physicist who has devoted much of his career to developing, improving and analysing data from the Large Hadron Collider beauty (LHCb), one of the four main LHC experiments at CERN and one in which he has played a leading role. He also applies his expertise to other projects in areas such as medical physics.

Dr Giovanni Boero, currently Senior Scientist in the School of Engineering at EPFL (STI), as Adjunct Professor at EPFL.
Giovanni Boero is an international expert in the field of nuclear magnetic resonance and electron spin resonance. The results of his research have applications in the field of physics, microtechnology, electronics, as well as life sciences and chemistry. It contributes to strengthening EPFL through important academic and industrial collaborations, through quality teaching, and through innovative research that connects different fields of science and engineering.

Paolo Perona, currently Academic Director in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering at EPFL (ENAC) and honorary visiting professor at the University of Edinburgh (UK), as Adjunct Professor of Water and Hydraulic Engineering at EPFL.
Paolo Perona works in the areas of fluvial hydraulics, ecomorphodynamics and applied hydrodynamics, with focus to sustainable management concepts. His international reputation in these highly topical research areas is also demonstrated by numerous partnerships in the public and private sectors, as well as with universities and research centers throughout the world.

Dr Jérôme Scherer, currently Senior Scientist at EPFL's School of Basic Sciences (SB), as Adjunct Professor at EPFL.
Jérôme Scherer’s research area is pure mathematics, particularly topology and algebra, with a focus on homotopy theory, homological algebra and semi-abelian categories. His work is published in leading journals and is frequently cited. This internationally recognised researcher makes a substantial contribution to EPFL.