19 new professors appointed at ETH Zurich and EPFL
Bern, 22.05.2026 — At its meeting of 20/21 May 2026 and upon application of the President of ETH Zurich, Professor Joël Mesot, and the President of EPFL, Professor Anna Fontcuberta i Morral, the ETH Board appointed a total of six women and thirteen men as professors and awarded the title of professor to five individuals and the title of Professor of Practice to two individuals. It also took note of the resignation of 15 professors and thanked them for their services. In the last 12 months, the ETH Board has made a total of 25 new appointments for women and 27 for men; the proportion of women among these new appointments thus amounts to 48%.
New appointments at ETH Zurich
Dr Romain Ganter (*1974), currently Head of Vacuum Group and Sub-Project Manager at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), as Full Professor of Accelerator Physics in the Department of Physics. Romain Ganter’s research focuses on the technology and dynamics of particle accelerators for generating high-quality beams. In Switzerland, the relevant applications involve PSI and CERN. Another active field of research in which Romain Ganter will be involved is the development of superconducting accelerator magnets based on high-temperature superconductors. Through this appointment, ETH Zurich is strengthening the area of advanced particle accelerator physics and enhancing its already close cooperation with PSI. The cooperation professorship includes acting as Head of the Department of Accelerator Technology at PSI.
Dr Jonas Huber (*1986), currently Senior Scientist, Lecturer and Head of the Advanced Mechatronic Systems Group at ETH Zurich, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Power Electronics and Drive Systems in the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. Jonas Huber’s research covers fundamental and application-oriented scientific questions in the field of power electronics and mechatronics. Current areas of focus include in particular sustainable electromobility – e.g. via novel chargers for electric vehicles or ultralight converters for all-electric aviation – and medical technology, such as bearingless implantable blood pumps. Jonas Huber has won several awards for his work. His appointment strengthens the Department’s leading international position in the field of power electronics and electric drive systems.
Dr Thomas Hudson (*1992), currently Senior Scientist at Fleet Space Technologies Ltd. in London, United Kingdom, as Assistant Professor of Environmental and Resource Geophysics in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. Thomas Hudson’s research, for which he was awarded an ERC Starting Grant, focuses on understanding processes governing the evolution of glaciers and ice sheets, especially in the context of global warming and rising sea levels. He employs methods originally developed for medical ultrasonic tomography and characterising major earthquakes, using the latest fibre optic sensors. By appointing Thomas Hudson, the Department is strengthening its leading role in the field of environmental geophysics and facilitating a wide range of synergies.
Dr Tu Ni (*1994), currently Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Harvard Business School, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Decision Sciences and Analytics in the Department of Management, Technology and Economics. The aim of Tu Ni’s research is to continue developing experimental methods of operational management in the context of data science and artificial intelligence, and to improve their practical application. He studies the interaction between human beings and AI-based systems in the decision-making process, with particular regard to issues of trust and societal implications. With the appointment of Tu Ni, the Department is placing emphasis on the field of data analysis and the investigation of complex decision-making processes. This will lead to promising cooperation opportunities and synergies, both within and beyond the Department.
Professor Stephen Quake (*1969), currently Professor at Stanford University, USA, as Full Professor of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering in the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering. Stephen Quake is a global leader in the field of bioengineering who conducts research into microfluidics, in vitro diagnostics and single-cell omics. He revolutionised molecular diagnostics, including in the area of prenatal tests, and produced the first documented genome sequence of a single human cell. Furthermore, he succeeded in translating basic research into clinically applicable technologies. He has won many awards and received an honorary doctorate from ETH Zurich in 2020. Stephen Quake will be an asset to the Department and strengthen the area of molecular diagnostics as well as further developing the Master’s programmes in “Biotechnology” and “Computational Biology and Bioinformatics”.
Professor Shivaram Venkataraman (*1985), currently Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA, as Associate Professor of Computer Science in the Department of Computer Science. Shivaram Venkataraman’s research has a particular focus on developing systems and algorithms for large scale data analysis and machine learning. Efficient computing aimed at reducing the resources needed for training ML models is a particularly notable aspect of his research. He has wide-ranging experience of research and teaching. The appointment of Shivaram Venkataraman strengthens the field of computer systems and AI systems, with particular regard to data management using modern hardware and to cloud architectures as a basis for current AI systems.
Dr Nino Wili (*1993), currently Postdoctoral Researcher at Aarhus University, Denmark, as Assistant Professor of Spin Dynamics and Hyperpolarisation in the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences. Nino Wili’s research focuses on electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), a powerful spectroscopic method. It provides information about the geometric and electronic structure of molecules with unpaired electrons, such as in catalysts, proteins or molecular qubits. His goal is to develop a widely applicable method for increasing sensitivity by one to two orders of magnitude. Nino Wili was awarded an SNSF Starting Grant for his research. Through this appointment, the Department is strengthening magnetic resonance spectroscopy, which was primarily developed at ETH Zurich and is used in several departments.
Promotions at ETH Zurich
Professor Filippo Coletti (*1982), currently Associate Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Experimental Fluid Dynamics in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering. Filippo Coletti is internationally recognised as the leading authority on experimental fluid mechanics. In his research he considers the world as fluid matter and develops experiments that investigate the fundamental dynamics of a huge range of types of flow: from the circulation of the blood to industrial reactors, and from aerosol transport to precipitation. This led to new findings in medicine and in the area of marine pollution and sea ice. Filippo Coletti holds two patents and was awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant. He is also an enthusiastic speaker, author, lecturer and mentor. His appointment enables the Department to strengthen a strategically important area of research.
Professor Maria Lukatskaya (*1988), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, as Associate Professor of Electrochemical Energy Systems in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering. Maria Lukatskaya uses a multidisciplinary approach to investigate how the local chemical environment in electrolytes, electrodes and interfaces can influence the reactivity, efficiency and stability of electrochemical processes. Her findings are being incorporated into the development of innovative materials and electrolytes for energy storage and conversion technologies, as well as for carbon capture and utilisation. Her research supports the Department's vision for future energy systems, and helps to find sustainable, economic and safe solutions. Maria Lukatskaya has won numerous awards, including an SNSF Starting Grant. With her appointment, the Department is strengthening the focus area of energy and the environment.
Professor Nicolas Noiray (*1981), currently Associate Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Combustion, Acoustics and Flow Physics in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering. Nicolas Noiray’s research investigates thermoacoustic instabilities and the combustion of hydrogen and low-carbon fuels, as well as acoustic metamaterials. His work has changed our understanding of combustion instabilities, resulted in more efficient hydrogen burners and control strategies, and positioned ETH Zurich as a leader in hydrogen combustion research. Nicolas Noiray is the recipient of an ERC Consolidator Grant and an ERC Synergy Grant. Through this promotion, the Department and ETH Zurich will continue to benefit from his outstanding research findings, excellent teaching and leadership skills in an important area for sustainable energy solutions.
Professor Fan Yang (*1988), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, as Associate Professor of Computer Science in the Department of Computer Science. Fan Yang works on machine learning models which form the core of modern AI, and explores the lack of robustness in many ML models that leads to unexpected forecast errors in relation to new data. She investigates when a forecast can be trusted and which characteristics models should possess beyond average accuracy. Fan Yang employs two approaches: developing theoretical guarantees for ML models and tailored solutions for specific applications. She has received an SNSF Starting Grant and is already much appreciated for her teaching at ETH Zurich. This appointment enables the Department to retain a promising expert in the field of data science.
New appointments at EPFL
Professor Benjamin Peherstorfer (*1986), currently Associate Professor at New York University, USA, as Full Professor of Computational and Applied Mathematics in the School of Basic Sciences. Benjamin Peherstorfer is regarded as one of the most promising researchers of his generation in the field of scientific machine learning and model reduction. His work has direct applications in complex real-world settings, including space propulsion simulations, plasma physics, wildfire modelling and the analysis of turbulent flows. By building new bridges between mathematics, engineering, and computational science, Benjamin Peherstorfer will reinforce EPFL’s leading role in the areas of scientific computing, data-driven modelling and applied mathematics.
Professor Angela Wittmann (*1992), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Physical Chemistry in the School of Basic Sciences. Angela Wittmann has received several awards for her research in spintronics, which takes conducted at the intersection of solid-state physics, materials science, and chemistry within the emerging field of chiraltronics. In the context of hybrid molecule-metal interfaces, she studies how molecular chirality influences electron spin and magnetic properties, with applications in spintronics and quantum technologies. Angela Wittmann is a highly creative who has already achieved remarkable results. Through this appointment, EPFL further strengthen its leading position in the field of physical chemistry.
Promotions at EPFL
Professor Raffaella Buonsanti (*1981), currently Associate Professor at EPFL, as Full Professor of Chemical Engineering in the School of Basic Sciences (EPFL Valais Wallis). Raffaella Buonsanti is recognised internationally as a leading expert at the interface of nanochemistry, materials chemistry, and electrocatalysis. Her research focuses on the controlled synthesis of nanocrystals of non-precious metals, as well as on understanding and stabilising dynamic catalyst surfaces under electrochemical conditions. She is making a decisive contribution to the development of innovative nanomaterials addressing major societal challenges related to energy and sustainability. Raffaella Buonsanti has been awarded both an ERC Starting Grant and an ERC Consolidator Grant. She also plays a central role in student education through her leadership as Director of the Section of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and through her outstanding teaching at EPFL.
Professor Nicolas Flammarion (*1990), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Associate Professor of Computer Science and Communication Systems in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences. Nicolas Flammarion's research on machine learning and artificial intelligence combines theoretical principles with algorithmic practices and is of use in many scientific disciplines apart from computer science. The aim is to create a solid scientific basis for AI language models, in order to make them more efficient, cost-effective, secure and reliable. Nicolas Flammarion is a first-rate researcher and an outstanding lecturer, who also addresses ethical issues. He enjoys a high reputation in the international scientific community and plays a key role in teaching at EPFL, alongside his many other commitments to the institution.
Professor Alexander Mathis (*1983), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Associate Professor of Life Sciences in the School of Life Sciences (Biotech Campus, Geneva). Alexander Mathis works at the interface between computational neuroscience and machine learning. The aim of his research is to develop tools for analysing complex behaviours and achieve a better understanding of their neural basis. He co-developed the open source software DeepLabCut, which is used for investigating animal movements in videos without the use of obtrusive markers; this has made a significant contribution to understanding the motor control system. His work makes use of a wide range of skills, from software development and machine learning to computational neuroscience. Alexander Mathis is an internationally renowned scientist and lecturer who is a great asset to teaching at EPFL.
Professor Mackenzie Mathis (*1984), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Associate Professor of Life Sciences in the School of Life Sciences (Biotech Campus, Geneva). In her research, Mackenzie Mathis aims to understand the neural circuits and computational processes that underlie motor learning and control. She is a co-founder of DeepLabCut, an open source software used for investigating animal movements in videos without the use of obtrusive markers. Mackenzie Mathis went on to develop the CEBRA algorithm, for analysing how neural circuits affect movement in parts of the body. This new tool enables behaviours to be linked to large-scale recordings of neural activity. Among other awards, Mackenzie Mathis received an ERC transition grant from the SNSF for her research programme, and won the Swiss Science Prize Latsis in 2024.
Professor Véronique Michaud (*1965), currently Associate Professor at EPFL, as Full Professor of Materials Science in the School of Engineering. Véronique Michaud focuses her research on the fundamentals of processing polymer and composite materials, including multiphase flows in porous media, capillary effects, process kinetics, and curing and polymerization mechanisms. She also investigates economic and environmental aspects of composite materials and processes, as well as the integration of functionalities such as self-healing, damping, and shape morphing. Her work contributes to the development of high-performance composite structures and more efficient and sustainable manufacturing processes, and she has established numerous partnerships with industry. Véronique Michaud has also held various leadership roles at EPFL, including that of Vice Dean for Education.
Professor Dimitri Wyss (*1989), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Associate Professor of Mathematics in the School of Basic Sciences. In his research, Dimitri Wyss investigates the geometric and arithmetical properties of moduli spaces. His most significant contributions include work in enumerative geometry, particularly in connection with the Langlands programme, non-abelian Hodge theory, and the geometry of moduli spaces of sheaves on complex surfaces. He is regarded as a leading international expert in the field and has been awarded an SNSF Starting Grant for his work. Dimitri Wyss takes a very active part in the academic life of the Institute of Mathematics. He is an outstanding researcher and dedicated teacher whose work plays an important role in the success of the School of Basic Sciences at EPFL.
Award of the title of “Professor” at ETH Zurich
Dr Michele Magno (*1976), currently Senior Scientist, Private Lecturer and Head of the Center for Project-Based Learning (PBL) at ETH Zurich, as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. Michele Magno’s field of teaching and research covers embedded systems with a focus on dedicated sensor and processing systems, including processes for energy-efficient machine learning (“tiny machine learning”). His research bridges the gap between fundamental research and practical applications and has direct impacts in the areas of healthcare, robotics and the resource-efficient Internet of Things. Under his leadership, PBL has established itself as an indispensable part of the curriculum.
Dr Michael Plötze (*1965), currently Senior Scientist and Lecturer at ETH Zurich, as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering. Michael Plötze is an internationally renowned expert on clay mineralogy and environmental geotechnics. His research is concerned with the mineralogical analysis of clays and their influence on geotechnical and environmental processes, the role of clay minerals in biogeochemical cycles and the development of clay-based materials for environmental protection, waste isolation and the stabilisation of contaminated soils and sediments. The appointment of Michael Plötze will further strengthen the Department's leading role in environmental geotechnics and geoscience, and support ETH Zurich’s strategic orientation.
Dr Yaroslav Romanyuk (*1980), currently Head of the Laboratory for Thin Films and Photovoltaics at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) and (Co-)Lecturer at ETH Zurich and EPFL, as Adjunct Professor in the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering. Yaroslav Romanyuk conducts research on complex thin-film technologies for solar cells, printed circuits, novel solid-state batteries and other applications. He has set himself the task of developing the next generation of solar cells, batteries and light-emitting diodes, in order to drive forward the energy transition for the benefit of industry and society. Yaroslav Romanyuk’s work also helps strengthen the cooperation with Empa even further.
Award of the title of “Professor” at EPFL
Dr Mathieu Salzmann (*1979), currently Senior Scientist at EPFL, as Adjunct Professor in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences. Mathieu Salzmann is Deputy Chief Data Scientist at the Swiss Data Science Center (SDSC), a joint initiative between EPFL, ETH Zurich and PSI, and conducts research in the field of machine learning and deep learning, with particular emphasis on computer vision. He focuses on compact deep networks, the search for optimal network architectures and methods for identifying immutable information between source and destination locations. By appointing Mathieu Salzmann, EPFL is strengthening the area of machine learning and image processing.
Dr Alexandre Schmid (*1967), currently Senior Scientist at EPFL, as Adjunct Professor in the School of Engineering. Alexandre Schmid conducts research at the interface of microelectronics and biological systems. His work focuses on implantable devices and bioelectronic interfaces, as well as neuromorphic architectures and non-conventional computing approaches, ranging from reliable CMOS technologies to autonomous closed-loop systems. Alexandre Schmid has made significant contributions to biomedical microelectronics, including recording and stimulation interfaces, neuroprosthetic systems, and robust, energy-efficient bio-inspired architectures.
Award of the title of “Professor of Practice” at ETH Zurich
Dr Richard Kornfeld (*1967), currently Managing Director of ETH Zurich | Space, as Professor of Practice in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering. Richard Kornfeld is an expert in robotic space systems and spent over 25 years at NASA/Caltech’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). He has held several leadership positions relating to space missions and technology development projects, and has extensive experience in mentoring engineers. Since 1 September 2025 he has been the Managing Director at ETH Zurich | Space, while contributing to the development of space-related activities through research, teaching and innovation. Richard Kornfeld is a lecturer for the widely noted new Master’s programme in Space Systems. His appointment as Professor of Practice, as an additional duty, strengthens practice-oriented teaching and education and is a major asset to ETH Zurich.
Award of the title of “Professor of Practice” at EPFL
Dr Urs Germann (*1971), currently Head of Department at the Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss), as Professor of Practice in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering. Urs Germann is internationally recognised for his contributions to operational radar meteorology in complex terrain, especially quantitative precipitation forecasts, nowcasting and their hydrological applications. His research takes place at the intersection of science and society, and he has many years’ teaching experience as a guest lecturer at ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich. At EPFL Urs Germann will be offering a Master’s course aimed at combining research and technology with benefits to society in the remote sensing of the climate and environment. He is thus closing a teaching gap for the Environmental Sciences and Engineering Section (SSIE) and strengthening the cooperation with MeteoSwiss.
Departures from ETH Zurich
Professor Gabriel Aeppli (*1956), currently Full Professor of Physics in the Department of Physics (dual professorship with EPFL), will retire at the end of November 2026. Gabriel Aeppli joined ETH Zurich in 2013 and is also the founding head of the Photon Science Division of the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), of which he is Deputy Director. In addition to educating numerous students, his achievements include the scientific commissioning of the Swiss Free Electron Laser (SwissFEL) and contributing substantially to the upgraded Swiss Light Source (SLS) 2.0, with power enhanced up to 10,000-fold, and to the Park Innovaare with the new PSI clean room. His research successes include taking X-ray tomograms of integrated circuits at a record-breaking resolution. Gabriel Aeppli worked on the time-dependent structure of light pulses from free electron lasers, which led to the first X-ray frequency comb. These and similar findings underlie the new SwissFELplus project, the aim of which is to generate X-rays with adjustable wavelengths. Gabriel Aeppli has been a member of the Swiss Science Council since 2016.
Professor David Basin (*1961), currently Full Professor of Computer Science (Information Security) in the Department of Computer Science, is to retire at the end of January 2027. He joined ETH Zurich in 2002. His research in close cooperation with industry led to groundbreaking advances in the principles, methods and tools used for testing the security of IT systems. He founded several spin-offs and research initiatives in the technology sector and registered seven patents. Among other honours, David Basin was awarded an honorary doctorate by Chalmers University of Technology for his outstanding contributions to cybersecurity, and the Levchin Prize for Real-World Cryptography, for developing the Tamarin Prover. He has held various positions at ETH Zurich, including as Head (and Deputy Head) of Department and as a member of the Research Commission and the Doctoral Commission; he also headed the Institute of Information Security for many years. He currently chairs the advisory board of ETH Zurich Campus Heilbronn.
Professor Jan Carmeliet (*1961), currently Full Professor of Building Physics in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, will retire at the end of January 2027. Jan Carmeliet joined ETH Zurich in 2008. His research covers multiscale analysis of porous materials, building physics, the urban microclimate and urban energy systems. His approach links material behaviour at nano level with performance at urban level. He built an important research programme on modelling the urban microclimate and has had a significant influence on the national research landscape in the field of building energy. Jan Carmeliet has served on the board of the Energy Science Centre of ETH Zurich and as a member of the SNSF Research Council and the ETH Zurich Research Commission. He founded the Master’s programme in Integrated Building Systems and encouraged the formation of interdisciplinary teams and infrastructures that will continue to have an impact on research well beyond his retirement.
Professor Jérôme Faist (*1962), currently Full Professor of Experimental Physics in the Department of Physics, is to retire at the end of January 2027. His research is in the field of quantum and laser physics and Jérôme Faist joined ETH Zurich in 2006. One of his biggest achievements was the first experimental demonstration of a quantum cascade laser (QCL); QCL research was largely founded by him. The high point of his research at ETH Zurich was the development of optical frequency combs based on quantum cascade lasers and also the study of vacuum fluctuations. Jérôme Faist holds 35 patents and has received two ERC Advanced Grants. As Head of the Institute for Quantum Electronics at ETH Zurich, he contributed to academic self-administration; he also led the Department safely through the pandemic while serving as its Head. In addition, he has had a major impact on the Department as a lecturer and mentor for numerous students and doctoral candidates.
Professor David Gugerli (*1961), currently Full Professor of History of Technology in the Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences, will retire at the end of October 2026. David Gugerli advocates a cultural studies approach to the history of technology and joined ETH Zurich in 1997. His work spans the political history of the body, electrification, the cartography of national space and the development of the technical universities. The recent focus of his work has been the history of computer-supported search procedures and databases, knowledge-based economics and questions to do with computability and the role of computers. From 2005 to 2018, David Gugerli was a founding member of the Centre for the History of Knowledge, as well as the first spokesperson for the Conference of the Heads of Departments and, from 2009 to 2016, President of the Strategy Commission of ETH Zurich. In addition to being a successful teacher, he has served as a member of the Research Commission, as both Head and Deputy Head of the Department, and as Director and Deputy Director of the Institute of History.
Professor Johanna Jacobi (*1983), currently Assistant Professor of Agroecological Transitions in the Department of Environmental Systems Science, is leaving ETH Zurich at the end of September 2026. Her research focuses on tropical regions and explores sustainability and socioecological resilience in agriculture and food systems, agroecological topics, power relations in food systems, and practical examples from agroforestry. She was awarded an SNSF Eccellenza Professorial Fellowship and has contributed to the Federal Institute’s goal of developing peaceful scientific solutions for global problems. Johanna Jacobi is moving to the University of Luxembourg as Professor of Global Food Security at the Luxembourg Centre for Socio-Environmental Systems.
Professor Mariam Issoufou Mahamadou (*1979), currently Full Professor of Architecture Heritage and Sustainability in the Department of Architecture, will leave ETH Zurich at the end of December 2026. Her design and research professorship with a decolonial and intersectional focus has challenged the Eurocentric assumptions ingrained in the history of architecture, the preservation of historical monuments and the discourse on sustainability; it argues that local building cultures and embedded knowledge from the Global South provide important lessons on how architecture can respond to the climate crisis. Mariam Issoufou Mahamadou has made a major contribution to repositioning the Department of Architecture internationally. She is leaving ETH Zurich in order to change the focus of her professional activities and deepen her engagement with architectural practice, writing, and the broader cultural debates sparked by her work.
Professor Ursula Renold (*1961), currently Full Professor of Building Systems in the Department of Management, Technology and Economics (D-MTEC), is to retire at the end of January 2027. She is an internationally recognised expert on the design, management and reform of education systems and was head of the Education Systems research area at the Swiss Economic Institute (KOF, now known as the KOF Institute) before becoming a full professor at D-MTEC at the end of 2019. The main focus of her research is on international comparative research into education systems, the dynamics of education systems, and the further development of education policy processes. Under her leadership, the Center on the Economics and Management of Education and Training Systems (CEMETS) grew into a highly sought-after brand internationally. She has made a valuable contribution to ETH Zurich as a committed lecturer, Deputy Head of Department and Head of the Doctoral Committee. Thanks to her contribution to the vocational training system and the universities of applied sciences in Switzerland, Ursula Reynold has boosted the reputation of ETH Zurich in this area.
Professor Federica Sallusto (*1961), currently Full Professor of Medical Immunology in the Department of Biology, is to retire at the end of January 2027. She joined ETH Zurich in 2016 as the holder of a dual professorship with the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) in Lugano . Federica Sallusto is a world-renowned scientist in the field of human immunology, whose work has defined how we understand the differentiation, migration and immunological memory of T cells. Her findings have influenced vaccine development and therapies based on T cells. She has registered three patents and received numerous honours and awards. Federica Sallusto has made a valuable contribution to ETH Zurich as a lecturer and mentor for countless doctoral and postdoctoral students, and has had a marked impact on the next generation of immunologists.
Professor Christoph Schwab (*1962), currently Full Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Mathematics, will retire at the end of December 2026. Christoph Schwab is an expert in the numerical analysis of partial differential equations and boundary element methods, and has been at ETH Zurich since 1995. The main focus of his research, which was supported by an ERC Advanced Grant, is on the mathematical analysis of numerical methods, especially high-dimensional approximation, exponential convergence of hp-finite element methods and Monte Carlo methods. From 2002 to 2026, Christoph Schwab was a member of the Steering Committee of the International Conference on Spectral and High Order Methods, which he chaired from 2016 to 2025. At ETH Zurich, he not only had a significant impact on teaching, but also contributed to academic self-administration by serving for many years as Head and Deputy Head of the Seminar for Applied Mathematics and as a member of the Research Commission.
Departures from EPFL
Professor Andreas Fuster (*1980), currently Associate Professor of Finance at the College of Management of Technology (CDM), is to leave EPFL at the end of September 2026. Andreas Fuster’s research concerns empirical financial science, macroeconomics and behavioural economics. He also explores the impact of technological advances on the credit markets for private households. At EPFL Andreas Fuster participated in developing the CDM. He has actively contributed to teaching financial engineering and has been Director of the EDFI doctoral programme in Finance since January 2025. He is leaving EPFL to take up a post as full professor at the University of Zurich.
Professor Caglar Gulcehre (*1985), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Communication Systems in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences, will leave EPFL at the end of July 2026. Caglar Gulcehre is an outstanding researcher in the fields of reinforcement learning, deep learning, representation learning and natural language processing. He was recently granted a sabbatical following his appointment as Senior Principal Research Scientist at Microsoft AI Research Lab in England. He will now continue with this work. Caglar Gulcehre has made a significant contribution to EPFL’s scientific profile and reputation, and he remains interested in continued cooperation.
Professor Nicola Marzari (*1966), currently Full Professor of Materials Science in the School of Engineering, will leave EPFL at the end of October 2026. Nicola Marzari joined EPFL in 2011 as chair of the Laboratory for Theory and Simulation of Materials, and also directed the NCCR MARVEL (2014–2026) and the Laboratory for Materials Simulations at PSI (2021–2026). His research focuses on developing and applying electronic-structure methods to understand, predict, design, and discover novel materials. Nicola Marzari will move to the University of Cambridge, where he has been appointed the tenth Cavendish Professor of Physics, a position previously held by pioneers of physics such as J. C. Maxwell, J. J. Thomson, E. Rutherford and N. Mott.
Professor Georgios Moschidis (*1991), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Mathematics in the School of Basic Sciences, will leave EPFL at the end of August 2026. Georgios Moschidis holds the Chair of Mathematical General Relativity. Despite his young age, he has already established an excellent international reputation in the fields of complex analysis and general relativity. Georgios Moschidis is a brilliant young researcher and a dedicated mentor and lecturer, who is greatly esteemed by his students and colleagues at EPFL. He is leaving EPFL for personal reasons and will take up a professorship at the National Technical University of Athens, Greece.
Professor Federica Zeni (*1989), currently Tenure Track Assistant of Finance at the College of Management of Technology (CDM), is to leave EPFL at the end of June 2026. In her research, Federica Zeni focuses on sustainable finance, with particular attention to green financial instruments, the effects of CO₂ on companies’ green transition, and the complementarity between environmental policy and sustainable finance in accelerating the green transition. Federica Zeni is a brilliant young researcher and committed lecturer in the areas of sustainable management and sustainable finance and is greatly esteemed at EPFL. She is leaving EPFL for personal reasons.
The ETH Board would like to thank the departing professors for their services to science, teaching and academic administration.