New nominations and promotions at ENAC School

New appointments at EPFL

Alexandra Kushnir, currently Research and Teaching Associate at EPFL, as Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC).
Alexandra Kushnir has been working at EPFL since 2022, when she founded the Rock Physics and Geofluids Laboratory (RPGL). Her SNSF Starting Grant “FuSE-EGS: Fracture Sealing and Reactivation in Enhanced Geothermal Systems” focuses on the evolution of permeability and strength of fractured rocks subjected to rock-fluid interactions. Through this grant, Alexandra Kushnir will contribute to both research and teaching in the area of geothermal energy at EPFL.

Priya Ramakrishna, currently Postdoctoral Researcher at EPFL, as Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC).
Priya Ramakrishna’s research, for which she is the recipient of an SNSF Starting Grant, focuses on understanding the cellular adaptation strategies of plants to their environment. Her interdisciplinary work combines a novel high-resolution cryo-elemental imaging approach with cell biology and functional physiological analyses. This new level of observation assists our understanding of the precise mechanisms used by plants to cope with stress. Priya Ramakrishna’s findings are of interest in relation to key agricultural crops, for example. Her work is a great asset to research and teaching in the areas of environmental science and environmental engineering at EPFL.

Promotion at EPFL

Professeur Dusan Licina, currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Associate Professor of Civil Engineering in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC).
Dusan Licina is an expert in indoor air quality, specialising pollution sources, their dynamics and their impact on human inhalation exposure. His research focuses on developing advanced strategies for environmental control in buildings, balancing indoor air quality, occupant well-being, and energy efficiency. Combining experimental laboratory and field studies with numerical and analytical modelling, he provides innovative solutions to pressing challenges in indoor environments. Thanks to his award-winning work at international level and his visionary, independent approach to establishing his own research area, Dusan Licina is an important asset to EPFL.

Award of the title of “Professor” at EPFL

Andreas Schüler, currently Senior Scientist at EPFL, as Adjunct Professor in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC).
Andreas Schüler’s research combines materials science with new processing and manufacturing methods. He works on nanotechnologies for converting solar energy and has built one of the world’s leading laboratories for conducting cutting-edge research in this field. This has enabled him to make a direct contribution to the energy transition in Switzerland and worldwide. Andreas Schüler is also highly esteemed as a lecturer and is an asset to research and teaching at EPFL.

Jan Skaloud, currently Senior Scientist at EPFL, as Adjunct Professor in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC).
Jan Skaloud teaches and conducts research on satellite positioning, inertial navigation, sensor calibration and photogrammetry, thus addressing important challenges in the field of energy security and the environment. His research has connections with industry and Swiss institutions such as the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport. The combination of academic interactions, industrial partnerships and technology transfer makes him a great asset to EPFL.

Award of the title of “Professor of Practice” at EPFL

Peter Kummer, currently Head of Infrastructure at SBB and a member of its Management Board, as Professor of Practice in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC).
Peter Kummer brings invaluable expertise in managing rail systems in the face of climate change, tackling optimisation challenges under rigorous sustainability and financial constraints. At EPFL, he will leverage his extensive knowledge of corporate management and information technology to significantly enrich the new Master’s in Urban Systems and the Master’s in Civil Engineering. Moreover, this appointment further strengthens EPFL’s partnership with SBB and underscores its commitment to nurturing and training of the next generation of engineers and innovators.