New IIE professor: Dr Meret Aeppli

New appointments at EPFL

Dr Tiffany Abitbol, currently Research Scientist at Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), Sweden, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering in the School of Engineering (STI)
Tiffany Abitbol conducts research on cellulose, with particular reference to nanocellulose and ecomaterials. Her aim is to develop new, functional materials from biobased components. In the context of pressing environmental issues, Tiffany Abitbol has a key role to play in the development of sustainable materials. Her appointment will strengthen and expand the visibility of this field at EPFL, while creating new cooperations with other areas of the Federal Institute and with partners in industry.

Dr Meret Aeppli, currently Postdoctoral Fellow at Stanford University, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC)
Meret Aeppli investigates redox reactivity and the role of soil in the global carbon cycle. The aim of her research is to find sustainable ways of protecting soil carbon and reducing the negative effects of climate change. At EPFL she will set up a research programme to explore the carbon cycle in watershed areas, with particular emphasis on the study of carbon stabilisation in soils at contrasting locations commonly found in Switzerland, such as high altitudes and floodplains.

Professor Olga Fink, currently Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich and Research Affiliate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC)
Olga Fink’s research focuses on the development of intelligent algorithms in complex infrastructures and industrial systems. She is a recognised expert in the fields of deep learning and hybrid algorithms for intelligent maintenance systems. Olga Fink is a member of numerous committees, serves as an expert for Innosuisse, and participates in various working groups at ETH Zurich. Her expertise and research interests will significantly strengthen civil engineering at EPFL in the area of predictive maintenance of infrastructure systems.

Professor Maryam Kamgarpour, currently Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia, Canada, and Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the School of Engineering (STI)
Maryam Kamgarpour develops control theories and algorithms for secure, reliable cyber-physical systems; these find applications in areas ranging from smart power grids and smart transport networks to robotics. This field of research is crucial to the seamless operation of autonomous systems, for which safety and reliability are the top priority. Maryam Kamgarpour, who was awarded an ERC Starting Grant in 2016, will be a great asset to EPFL and help meet the growing needs of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering.

Professor Marianne Liebi, currently Group Leader at Empa and Adjunct Associate Professor at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Materials Science in the School of Engineering (STI) and at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)
Marianne Liebi’s work has a focus on developing methods for studying the structure of materials, including materials of biological origin such as bones, using X-rays. This innovative researcher is in great demand internationally and has built up an extensive network of partnerships. She is a very committed teacher and a role model for future generations of women engineers. By appointing Marianne Liebi, EPFL and PSI are strengthening a complex and topical field of research.

Professor Charlotte Malterre-Barthes, currently Assistant Professor at Harvard University, USA, is appointed Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Urban and Architectural Design in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC)
Charlotte Malterre-Barthes’ works on urgent aspects of contemporary urbanization, conducting research on how design and planning can engage with questions of fair access to resources, the mainstream economy, better governance, and ecological/social justice. She investigates interrelated topics such as climate emergency, materials, food systems, migration, self-initiated urbanism, and real-estate, with the help of various technologies, from satellite images to field work. Charlotte Malterre-Barthes spent six years as director of the Master’s degree in Urban Design at ETH Zurich, and is a co-founder of the the Parity Group and of the Parity Front, associations dedicated to improving equity in architecture. She is also a member of several committees and co-director of her own urban design practice.

Professor Kirsten Moselund, currently a Research Staff Member at IBM Research Zurich, as Full Professor of Electronics and Microtechnology in the School of Engineering (STI) and at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)
Kirsten Moselund’s work has an emphasis on the design, fabrication and characterisation of new nanoelectronic components with very low power consumption. Her research is notable for combining technology with physics in a way that enables her to design innovative devices. Kirsten Moselund is to head the Nanophotonics Laboratory at PSI, which focuses on the use of nanotechnology in the area of short-wave light. She will strengthen its collaboration with EPFL and industry. Her many years of industrial experience will also allow her to facilitate the founding of new start-ups.

Dr Anirudh Raju Natarajan, currently Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of California, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Materials Science in the School of Engineering (STI)
Anirudh Natarajan conducts research in the area of materials theory and simulation with the aim of discovering and synthesising new materials. His ambitious research plan looks at a range of problems connected with materials science that may potentially lead to important applications. At the same time, he will be working to develop simulation methods further. This exceptional researcher will play a key role in expanding and diversifying EPFL’s activities in the field of materials modelling.

Professor Sarah Nichols, currently Assistant Professor at Rice University, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Architecture in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC)
Sarah Nichols carries out research into the history of construction materials, how they are produced, and construction practice in Switzerland in the context of political and ecological concerns. Her current focus is on the role of concrete, an area in which she is making an important contribution to the debate about the circular economy and the demand for sustainable construction materials. With the appointment of this up-and-coming architectural historian and theoretician, the institute is strengthening its teaching and scientific influence in a research area of great social importance.

Professor Stefana Parascho, currently Assistant Professor at Princeton University, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Architecture in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC)
Stefana Parascho is a researcher, architect and lecturer who works at the interface between architecture and digitalisation; her main interests are computational design and integrative models of architecture, and she has won multiple awards for her research. Her aim is to promote an interdisciplinary approach to architecture through the development of digital production methods and robot-assisted manufacturing processes. Stefana Parascho has all the academic and personal qualities of a first-class researcher and lecturer; she will be an asset to EPFL in this socially relevant field.

Dr Andrew Sonta, currently Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Columbia, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC)
Andrew Sonta’s research focuses on data-driven modelling, analysis and design techniques for the enhancement of social and environmental objectives in the built environment. He aims to address urban sustainability challenges through a multidisciplinary lens. Andrew Sonta also studies the physical connections between energy consumption and the efficient operation of buildings. In addition to developing a new research programme, he will contribute to new clusters involving the School, the Smart Living Lab in Fribourg and the recently founded Center for Climate Impact and Action (CLIMACT).

Promotions at EPFL

Professor Esther Amstad, currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Associate Professor of Materials Science in the School of Engineering (STI)
Esther Amstad conducts research in the areas of materials chemistry, microfluidics, polymer science and biomimetic materials. Her creative approach to applied research has brought her international recognition in the field of soft matter, which her work is taking in new directions. Through significant academic and industrial partnerships, high-quality teaching and innovative research she will help strengthen the discipline of materials science and bring together different fields of science and engineering.

Professor David Atienza Alonso, currently Associate Professor at EPFL, as Full Professor of Electrical Engineering and Electronics in the School of Engineering (STI)
David Atienza develops high-performance embedded systems and multiprocessor integrated circuits for the Internet of Things. He is an international expert in the field of 3D integrated circuits and has made significant contributions to multiprocessor systems-on-chip (MPSoC), with applications in Edge AI and cloud systems. David Atienza aims to assist with the next phase of the digital data revolution and address the ecological and economic consequences of the era of the Internet of Things in a responsible way.

Professor Bruno Emanuel Ferreira De Sousa Correia, currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Associate Professor of Bioengineering in the School of Engineering (STI)
Bruno Correia’s research investigates protein design and protein structure prediction – an area with a vital role to play in vaccine development. Thanks to his original research, which uses both a computational and an experimental approach, Bruno Correia is regarded as one of the world’s leading researchers in the field of protein synthesis, vaccine design and gene therapy. His academic and industrial collaborations help strengthen the key discipline of bioengineering.

Professor Brice Lecampion, currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Associate Professor of Geo-Energy in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC)
Brice Lecampion's work focuses on fundamental and applied research topics connected with subsurface geo-energy projects (deep geothermics, CO₂ storage, gas extraction and storage) with the aim of improving practice within the industry and making expert knowledge available to political decision-makers, regulatory authorities and the general public. With his solid industrial experience and his experimental work, he makes a substantial contribution to his specialist area, in which he is regarded as one of the world’s leading researchers.

Professor Elisa Oricchio, currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Associate Professor of Life Sciences in the School of Life Sciences (SV)
Elisa Oricchio’s research seeks to understand the role of genetic and epigenetic changes in carcinogenesis, and how these changes influence the patient’s response to cancer treatments. She has developed very sophisticated methods for use in genomics and chromatin structural analysis: these are of great interest to the entire school. Her work is not only of fundamental scientific significance, but also identifies potential new taregts for the development of cancer treatments. This well-known researcher is a leading expert in her field as well as being a popular lecturer among students.

Award of the title of Professor

Dr Anastasios Vassilopoulos, currently Senior Scientist in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering at EPFL, (ENAC) as Adjunct Professor at EPFL.
Anastasios Vassilopoulos investigates advanced materials for sustainable structures. At the School he has successfully developed a research area which looks at fatigue damage in building components made of composite materials. His work is making a key contribution to a new generation of advanced materials and he is regarded as the leading researcher in his field.