Professor Andrea Ablasser was named as Associate Professor of Life Sciences in the School of Life Sciences (SV)
Andrea Ablasser is a promising young researcher. She investigates the question of how cells defend themselves against viral and bacterial attack and, in particular, how microbes are recognised by immune cells. Her focus is on the functioning of the innate immune system, and she is working to develop new therapies in the field of immunology. Andrea Ablasser has already been awarded an ERC Starting Grant for her research results, and she received the national Latsis Prize in 2018. By promoting her, EPFL is strengthening its international position in the area of biomedicine.
Dr Mitali Banerjee was named as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Physics in the School of Basic Sciences (SB)
Mitali Banerjee is a scientist with exceptional potential. She attracted particular international attention for designing and setting up an experimental installation for measuring thermal conductivity in two-dimensional materials. In doing so, she rose to an exceptionally difficult challenge which many experts had regarded as impossible. With her appointment, EPFL is recruiting a scientist who will make key contributions to both research and teaching.
Dr Anne-Florence Bitbol was named as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Life Sciences in the School of Life Sciences (SV)
Anne-Florence Bitbol is an up-and-coming biophysicist with a solid grounding in physics, mathematics and computer science as well as a strong methodological approach to biology. Her main subject is the modelling of protein-protein interactions. She makes use of methods she developed herself in order to predict the form of interaction partners from phylogenetic data in protein sequences. Anne-Florence Bitbol’s profile is an excellent fit with EPFL's strategy of strengthening the future-oriented field of computational and quantitative biology.
Professor Anne-Clémence Corminboeuf was named as Full Professor of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry in the School of Basic Sciences (SB)
Anne-Clémence Corminboeuf has attracted international recognition for her ground-breaking contributions to theoretical and computational chemistry, particularly for her novel approaches of electronic structures driven by non-covalent phenomena, opening promising perspectives in the domains of catalysis and organic electronic materials. Her work based on non-covalent interactions was already supported by two ERC Grants and has major impact on the design of homogeneous catalysts and organic semi-conductors. By promoting Anne-Clémence Corminboeuf, EPFL is strengthening its position in a future-oriented field of study.
Professor Anna Fontcuberta i Morral was named as Full Professor of Materials Science and Engineering in the School of Engineering (STI) and in the School of Basic Sciences (SB)
An internationally renowned scientist, Anna Fontcuberta i Morral specializes in the synthesis of nanostructures within semiconductors and, in particular, in nanowire crystal growth techniques. The results of her research aid in the development of materials with innovative physical and chemical properties and are used, for example, to increase the efficiency of photovoltaic cells and in quantum computing. The promotion of Anna Fontcuberta i Morral underlines EPFL's strong position in materials science and engineering.
Dr Charlotte Grossiord was named as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Terrestrial Ecology in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC)
Charlotte Grossiord is a highly innovative young researcher. She has achieved international recognition for her work on the contribution of biodiversity to the ability of forests to withstand climate change. In recent years she has focused on the survival potential and acclimatisation of plants as temperatures rise. Among other experiments, she used heat-controlled chambers to investigate the effects of drought on trees under real conditions. Charlotte Grossiord will work closely with WSL, which is co-funding her professorship at EPFL.
Dr Mackenzie Mathis was named as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Life Sciences in the School of Life Sciences (SV)
At a young age, Mackenzie Mathis has attracted considerable attention internationally with her work towards understanding the neural mechanisms that enable bodily movements to recalibrate constantly. Among other achievements, she developed the first behavioural model for investigating motor adjustments in the movement sequences of mice, and discovered that the somatosensory cerebral cortex plays a key role here. Mackenzie Mathis and her research approaches are an excellent fit with existing research activities at EPFL. She will hold the Bertarelli Foundation Chair in integrative neuroscience.
Dr Julia Schmale was named as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Extreme Environmentsin the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC)
Julia Schmale is an atmospheric scientist with a global reputation. She actively represents Switzerland on multidisciplinary, international research projects in the Arctic. She is a member of the Atmosphere Working Group of the International Arctic Science Committee, for example. Thanks to her innovative scientific and methodological ability, Julia Schmale will strengthen EPFL’s reputation in areas that are important for the future of society, and contribute to training environmental engineers within the school.
Professor Mahsa Shoaran was named as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering in the School of Engineering (STI)
A very promising young researcher, Mahsa Shoran has already built an international reputation in a transdisciplinary field at the intersection of circuit design, machine learning and neuroscience. Her research, conducted in close collaboration with clinicians, aims to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic devices for drug-resistant neurological disorders. Her work is perfectly integrated into EPFL's strategy, with its ambition to develop the next generation of brain-machine interfaces.
Professor Jocelyne Bloch was named as Adjunct Professor at EPFL in the School of Life Sciences (SV)
Jocelyne Bloch is an internationally acclaimed neurosurgeon and neuroscientist. She collaborates closely with EPFL on various projects. Her formal integration into the Federal Institute reinforces the importance of clinical research for EPFL's research projects.
