Prof. Dr. Gonzalo Guillén Gosálbez is a Full Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences , ETH Zürich. He holds a PhD in Process Systems Engineering (UPC, 2005) and has held academic positions at Imperial College London (Reader), University of Manchester (Senior Lecturer), and Universitat Rovira i Virgili (Assistant/Associate Professor). His research focuses on Sustainable Chemical Processes , integrating life cycle assessment, optimization techniques, and planetary boundary analysis to evaluate and design low-carbon technologies. Current position: Full Professor, ETH Zürich (2019–present) Prior roles: Imperial College London (2016–2019), University of Manchester (2014–2016), URV Spain (2008–2014) Education: PhD (UPC, 2005), MEng/BEng (University of Murcia) His research explores CO2 valorization , green methanol synthesis , circular marine fuels , and planetary boundary compliance in energy and chemical systems. Recent work emphasizes machine learning for process modeling, single-atom catalysis , and decentralized ammonia production . Scientific contributions include 15+ peer-reviewed articles (2023–2025) in journals like Nature Chemical Engineering , ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering , and Energy & Environmental Science . Key themes: Optimization of hybrid fossil/renewable carbon systems Environmental impacts of energy transitions Catalyst design for sustainable chemistry Life cycle assessment of emerging technologies Awarded UPC Top Doctoral Student Award and Top National Student Award , he combines process systems engineering with sustainability metrics to address global challenges in chemical and energy systems.
Dr. Robert Huber serves as a Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zürich, specializing in Agricultural Economics and Policy. His research focuses on the integration of interdisciplinary knowledge to analyze and evaluate management and policy options that promote sustainable development in the agricultural sector. Institution: ETH Zürich Department: Agricultural Economics and Policy Research Focus: Sustainable Agriculture and Policy Methodologies: Bio-economic and agent-based modeling Dr. Huber's research explores how multifunctional agricultural sectors can provide essential non-market goods and services while maintaining their primary economic function of food production. His work applies bio-economic and agent-based modeling techniques to understand farmers' decision-making processes regarding ecosystem services provision, coupled with economic valuation techniques to analyze societal demand for these services. His research aims to identify effective and efficient policy measures that align supply and demand for ecosystem services at landscape scale. His recent publications demonstrate strong expertise in agricultural policy analysis, climate change mitigation strategies, sustainable farming practices, and innovative modeling approaches. His work spans topics from herbicide-free agriculture using remote sensing technologies to biodiversity enhancement in agricultural landscapes and the cost-effectiveness of different climate change mitigation policies at various scales. Remote sensing applications in sustainable agriculture Behavioral aspects of farmer decision-making Policy evaluation methodologies Climate change adaptation in farming systems Economic valuation of ecosystem services Digitalization impacts on agricultural policy Dr. Huber has published extensively in high-impact journals including Journal of Agricultural Economics, People and Nature, and Q Open. His collaborative research often involves interdisciplinary teams addressing complex agricultural sustainability challenges. His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on practical policy implications derived from rigorous empirical analysis.
Dr. Federico Cammelli is a Researcher at the Department of Environmental Systems Science (ETH Zurich) within the Professorship for Sustainable Agroecosystems. His work focuses on environmental sustainability, deforestation mitigation, and equitable policy design in tropical regions. He investigates the effectiveness of supply chain policies, fire management strategies, and smallholder livelihood challenges in regions like the Amazon, West Africa, and Indonesia. Key research areas include zero-deforestation commitments in cattle and soy sectors, cocoa sustainability in West Africa, and the interplay between fire use, poverty, and conservation. He employs experimental methods and interdisciplinary approaches to address complex environmental governance challenges. Based at ETH Zurich’s Sonneggstrasse 33 campus, Dr. Cammelli collaborates with international institutions to advance sustainable agroecosystems and climate-resilient development. His research bridges environmental science, policy analysis, and socioeconomic dimensions of conservation.
Prof. Eva-Marie Meemken is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich. Her research focuses on sustainability goals in global food systems, analyzing policies and institutional arrangements related to poverty reduction, gender equality, and food security in lower-income countries. She leads the Food Systems Economics and Policy Group, affiliated with the Institute for Environmental Decisions (IED), Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IAS), World Food System Center (WFSC), and ETH4D. Education: PhD Agricultural Economics (summa cum laude), University of Göttingen (2017) MSc Agricultural Economics, University of Hohenheim (2013) BSc Agricultural Sciences, University of Kassel-Witzenhausen (2011) Professional Experience: Since 2022: Assistant Professor (tenure track), ETH Zürich 2020–2022: Assistant Professor, University of Copenhagen 2019–2020: Postdoc, Cornell University 2018–2019: Postdoc, University of Minnesota 2017–2018: Postdoc, University of Göttingen Research Interests: Her work explores diverse actors in food systems (farmers, cooperatives, companies) and their roles in sustainable development. Current research emphasizes policy design for decent work, gender equality, and resilience in global agrifood supply chains. Teaching: She teaches the course World Food System in ETH Zürich’s Autumn Semester 2025.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in LausanneSwitzerland
Dominique Foray is a Professor at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and holds the Chair of Economics and Management of Innovation (CEMI). He is a member of the Swiss Council for Science, chairman of the KOF Swiss Economic Research Institute's Advisory Board, and a foreign member of Columbia University's Center of Capitalism and Society. His career includes extensive advisory roles, such as with the European Commission's 'Knowledge for Growth' group and Germany's Expert Commission for Research and Innovation. Education: Ph.D. in Economics, University Lumière of Lyon (1984) Habilitation à diriger des recherches, University Lumière of Lyon (1992) Foray's research focuses on the economics of innovation, knowledge-based economy dynamics, technology policy, smart specialization strategies, and institutional frameworks for innovation. He has authored seminal works including The Economics of Knowledge (MIT Press, 2004) and Smart Specialisation (Routledge, 2015). His recent publications explore mission-oriented innovation policies, smart specialization in EU contexts, and knowledge diffusion mechanisms. Foray's work bridges academic theory with practical policy design, influencing regional and national innovation strategies globally. Advising: Past EPFL PhD students: Aouinait Camille Marguerite, Ayoubi Charles Chadi, Baruffaldi Stefano Horst, Bednyagin Denis, Bogers Marcellus, Coffano Monica, Conti Annamaria, Cristelli Gabriele, Gaulé Patrick, Hamdan Livramento Intan Maizurah, Marino Marianna, Muñoz Tellez de Kieffer Viviana Carolina, Pellegrin Claudia, Simeth Markus Foray's institutional roles include leadership in European policy initiatives and contributions to the World Bank's studies on innovation's role in economic growth. His interdisciplinary approach integrates economics, policy analysis, and technology management to address grand societal challenges through innovation.
Michael Siegrist is a Full Professor of Consumer Behavior at ETH Zurich's Department of Health Sciences and Technology. His research focuses on risk perception, risk communication, acceptance of new technologies, and decision making under uncertainty, with particular emphasis on food and consumer behavior. He has established himself as a leading researcher in understanding how people perceive risks related to food, chemicals, and emerging technologies. Dr. Siegrist earned his education at the University of Zurich, where he studied psychology, economics, and mass communication. He completed his dissertation in 1994 and his Habilitation in 2001 at the Faculty of Arts. Between 1998-2000, he was a visiting researcher at Western Washington University, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. He began teaching and research activities at ETH Zurich in 2004 and became a Full Professor there in 2007. His research interests span risk perception and communication, with particular focus on food safety, disgust sensitivity, naturalness perception, and sustainability. His work examines how consumers evaluate risks related to food technologies, chemicals, and environmental issues. He has published extensively on topics including cultured meat acceptance, food labeling, household chemical safety, and the psychological factors influencing consumer decisions under uncertainty. His research often employs cross-cultural approaches, comparing consumer perceptions across different countries and demographic groups. Dr. Siegrist's publications reveal a strong trend toward understanding the psychological mechanisms behind consumer acceptance of novel food technologies, particularly alternative proteins. His recent work increasingly focuses on sustainability issues in food consumption, examining how consumers perceive environmental impacts of food choices and respond to policy measures aimed at promoting sustainable eating habits. He has made significant contributions to understanding how naturalness claims, disgust sensitivity, and cultural factors shape food preferences and risk perceptions. As an active researcher, Dr. Siegrist collaborates with numerous colleagues across disciplines, including veterinary science, nutrition, and agricultural technology. His work spans both theoretical contributions to risk perception frameworks and practical applications for food industry and policy development.
Fritz Brugger is a Lecturer at the Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences at ETH Zürich and serves as the executive director of NADEL (Network for African-Ethiopian Development Linkages). He holds a PhD in Development Studies from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva. His research focuses on the developmental impacts of natural resource extraction, extractive industries' corporate roles, and governance challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa. Key areas include health impacts of mining, illicit financial flows, and policy interventions in resource-dependent economies. Prior to joining ETH Zürich, Brugger worked at Helvetas for eight years, later becoming a consultant on governance issues in water management, agriculture, and corporate responsibility. He designed an index-based agricultural insurance system and a mobile-tech platform for smallholder farmers' market access. His work spans diverse regions, with a focus on Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Mozambique. His publications emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, such as Q-methodology for policy engagement, and address topics like mercury use in artisanal mining, corporate due diligence, and the energy transition's impact on social licenses. He contributes to global debates on illicit financial flows, tax evasion, and sustainable development goals implementation through multilateral institutions. Brugger's advisory and grant work includes projects on health impact assessments in mining communities, policy coherence in development aid, and the nexus of extractive industries and conflict. He collaborates with NGOs, governments, and private sector entities to bridge research and policy, particularly in fragile contexts.
Meredith Fowlie is a Research Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley, affiliated with the Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics and the Environment and Energy Economics Program. Her work focuses on environmental economics, energy policy, and industrial regulation, with particular expertise in climate policy, emissions trading, and market-based solutions. University : University of California, Berkeley School : College of Natural Resources Department : Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics Role : Co-Director of the Environment and Energy Economics Program, Research Fellow Over the past two decades, Fowlie has led influential research on carbon pricing, insurance market adaptations to climate change, energy efficiency programs, and regulatory design. Her publications span topics like NOx trading programs , satellite-based air quality analysis , and default effects in electricity pricing . She has collaborated extensively with scholars such as Catherine Wolfram, Christopher R. Knittel, and Nicholas Muller. Her recent work (2025-2022) emphasizes catastrophe insurance equity , climate risk classification , and carbon pricing mechanisms . Earlier studies (2020-2008) addressed co-benefits in regulatory analysis, emissions leakage in incomplete markets, and optimal pollution regulation across stationary/non-stationary sources.
Dr. Joseph Dumpler is a Lecturer at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology at ETH Zürich, specializing in Sustainable Food Processing. He holds a PhD in Dairy Science and Technology from the Technical University of Munich, Weihenstephan, with a focus on UHT treatment of concentrated milk. His work emphasizes advancing food processing technologies, particularly in protein refinement, non-thermal methods, and membrane filtration. Educations: PhD in Dairy Science and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Weihenstephan (2017) MSc Food Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Weihenstephan His research interests include Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) for plant protein extraction, microwave vacuum drying of dairy products, and membrane filtration optimization for microalgae and dairy systems. He has pioneered methods to refine rapeseed and pea proteins while minimizing antinutrients, and his work on microfiltration of milk products addresses emerging microbial risks. Key contributions span kinetic modeling of heat-induced protein aggregation, sustainable food processing , and non-thermal concentration techniques . His articles reflect a focus on bridging lab-scale innovations with industrial applications. Awards: J.T.M. Wouters Young Scientist Award Julius Maggi Research Award (2018) Best PhD Thesis Award from the Association of Dairy, Food and Biotechnologists (Weihenstephan) Dr. Dumpler collaborates with industry partners to translate research into scalable processes, such as NADES-based protein extraction and microwave drying systems. His current role at ETH Zürich’s Sustainable Food Processing Lab (Prof. Mathys) focuses on plant-based meat analogs and novel protein refining concepts .
Joseph Francois is a Professor of Economics and Director at the World Trade Institute (WTI) , affiliated with the Economic Institute at the University of Bern. He previously served as Deputy Director of the NCCR Trade Regulation (2015–2017) and held professorships at Johannes Kepler Universität Linz, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and other institutions. His research spans international economics, trade policy, globalization, environmental economics, and computable general equilibrium (CGE) modeling. Key focus areas include cross-border production chains, trade in services, open economy competition policy, financial market integration, and the interplay between trade agreements and sustainability goals. Scientific distinctions include a Fellowship at the Centre for Economic Policy Research (London). His methodological expertise includes CGE modeling, econometric estimation of large nonlinear systems, and policy analysis of trade disputes, carbon border adjustments, and non-tariff measures. Education: Ph.D. in Economics, University of Maryland BA in Economics and History, University of Virginia He has contributed extensively to policy briefs and technical reports, particularly in analyzing trade impacts on employment, economic development, and environmental outcomes.
Janina Grabs is Professor of Sustainability Research at the University of Basel, where she heads the subject area of Sustainability Research within the Department of Social Sciences at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. She is responsible for social science teaching in the Master's program in Sustainable Development and leads a research group investigating sustainability governance in global value chains, particularly in tropical agricultural commodities. Her academic background includes a PhD in Political Science from Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster (2018), with research stays at Carleton University in Ottawa and Yale University in New Haven. Prior to her current position since June 1, 2024, she worked as an assistant professor at ESADE Business School in Barcelona (2021-2024) and as a postdoc at ETH Zurich (2019-2021). Professor Grabs' research focuses on transnational sustainability governance in global value chains, examining how states, firms, NGOs and other actors can improve environmental and social sustainability in commodity production. Her interdisciplinary work bridges political economy, regulatory governance, and business in society scholarship to investigate who defines sustainability in the marketplace, what rule-making mechanisms exist, their effectiveness, and potential unintended consequences on smallholders' livelihoods. She places special emphasis on coffee, palm oil, and cocoa sectors, exploring how global production and consumption processes can be steered toward more sustainable directions within market frameworks. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on zero-deforestation initiatives, supply chain due diligence legislation (particularly the EU Deforestation Regulation), jurisdictional approaches to sustainable commodity governance, and the evolving role of various actors in sustainability governance. Her work spans multiple commodities but shows particular depth in coffee and palm oil sectors, examining both environmental and social dimensions of sustainability through field research in Colombia, Honduras, Costa Rica and Indonesia. Her significant contributions to the field have been recognized with prestigious awards: 2021 Organizations and the Natural Environment Book Award from the Academy of Management 2022 Lynton Keith Caldwell Award for the best book in the field of science, technology and environmental politics from the American Political Science Association Professor Grabs actively mentors doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers including Alexandra Bögner, Charline Depoorter, Lucia Casalegno, Lesly Nassila, and Philipp Dunker. Her research is supported by multiple third-party funded projects such as EXPECT-AGRI (investigating political economy of expectations in agri-food sustainability transformations), PACSMAC (examining paradoxes of climate-smart coffee production), and research on zero-deforestation commitments in the palm oil sector. She also serves as book review editor for the journal Regulation & Governance and participates in professional associations including the ECPR Standing Group on Regulatory Governance and the International Studies Association. She leads the Sustainability Research Group at the University of Basel, which conducts interdisciplinary research on sustainability governance and transformations toward more sustainable socio-economic systems, with particular focus on agri-food, energy, and mobility sectors while addressing critical questions of justice, equity, and inclusivity in sustainability transitions.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in LausanneSwitzerland
Philippe Thalmann is an Associate Professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), leading the Laboratoire d'Économie Urbaine et de l'Environnement (LEURE). His research focuses on environmental economics, climate policy, energy systems, and sustainable urban development. He holds academic affiliations within the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC) and teaches courses on energy economics, environmental policy, and real estate. Thalmann serves on numerous national committees, including the Federal Housing Commission, the Climate Change Advisory Committee (OcCC), and the Swiss Competence Centers for Energy Research (SCCER). He has directed the INTER Institute for Urban Studies (2009–2014) and currently chairs ProClim, the Forum for Climate and Global Change. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to climate mitigation, housing affordability, and environmental policy design. Education: PhD in Economics (implied via academic rank and research output) Research interests include carbon pricing mechanisms, renewable energy systems, urban sustainability, and the economic implications of climate policy. He has advised over 30 doctoral and master’s students on topics ranging from energy efficiency valuation to housing market dynamics. Thalmann’s recent publications analyze Switzerland’s climate policy frameworks, renewable energy transitions, and the environmental impact of housing and mobility systems. He actively advises policymakers on decarbonization strategies, tax reforms, and carbon removal technologies. Notable contributions include the Renewable Energy Outlook II for Switzerland and studies on fiscal incentives for climate action. Advising & Grants: Supervised 28 students (listed above). Engaged in research projects funded by EPFL and Swiss federal initiatives. Collaborates with the Swiss National Research Program (PNR66) and energy policy think tanks. Labs/Teams: Director of LEURE Lab, part of the Urban Institute (INTER), and member of ProClim leadership.
Anthony Patt is a Full Professor of Climate Policy at ETH Zurich's Department of Environmental Systems Science and Deputy Head of the Institute for Environmental Decisions. He holds a PhD in Public Policy from Harvard University, along with a Juris Doctor from Duke University and a Bachelor's in Architecture and Landscape Design from Yale. His research focuses on identifying effective governmental approaches to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change impacts. Key areas include societal processes related to consumption patterns, technology use, and modeling interactions between people, institutions, and technological systems. Patt has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles and serves as Coordinating Lead Author for the IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report on international cooperation. He has led major projects on renewable energy policies, climate adaptation, and energy security. Notable grants include funding from the European Union, Swiss National Science Foundation, and international organizations. Patt's work emphasizes the co-benefits of climate policies, such as financial impacts on cities and energy transition strategies. His career spans academic roles at institutions like the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) and Boston University, alongside contributions to policy initiatives like the EU's 100% renewable electricity roadmap. Patt's expertise bridges environmental science, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement, addressing global challenges through interdisciplinary approaches.
Dr. Mukesh Kumar serves as a lecturer and Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) senior fellow at the University of Zurich, conducting interdisciplinary research at the intersection of history and anthropology. His work centers on socio-cultural, economic, and religious encounters between diverse traditions in South Asia, with particular emphasis on syncretic practices and marginalized communities. His educational background includes: PhD from the University of Technology in Sydney (2019) Dr. Kumar's research explores South Asian Religions, Religious Conversion, Devotional Hinduism, Social Mobility, Caste and Music, Yoga, Tantra, and Sacred Spaces. He investigates how religious practices dynamically interact with caste structures, economic systems, and cultural exchanges, revealing complex identity formations through ethnographic and historical analysis of syncretic traditions. His publication record demonstrates consistent focus on Hindu-Muslim relations, religious conversion, and sacred geography across historical and contemporary contexts. Recent works examine the Laldas tradition, Basel Mission impacts on lower-caste communities, urban religious orders, and digital democracy, reflecting methodological diversity spanning archival research, ethnography, and textual analysis. His research has been recognized through prestigious awards: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowship (2019-21) ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (2021-23) Swiss National Science Foundation Senior Fellowship (2024-28) As principal investigator of the SNF-Project "Caste Religion and Social Mobility in India," Dr. Kumar leads contemporary research on religious and social dynamics while contributing to academic discourse through his monograph Between Muslim Pīr and Hindu Saint (Cambridge University Press, 2024) and numerous journal articles. His current research trajectory involves two book projects examining Billava communities and the Sant Rampal order in Delhi, advancing understanding of religious pluralism within India's evolving social landscape.
Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and TechnologySwitzerland
Thijs Defraeye is a Senior Scientist at Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) and Adjunct Professor at Dalhousie University. He holds a PhD in Building Physics from KU Leuven (2011) and a Master's in Civil Engineering (2006). His work focuses on optimizing food supply chains through multiphysics simulations and digital twins, addressing challenges in refrigerated transport, postharvest quality preservation, and energy-efficient food processing. He leads the SimBioSys group, developing solutions for perishable goods logistics and electrohydrodynamic technologies. Research interests include: Biophysics of food systems Digital twin applications in agriculture Electrohydrodynamic drying Thermal management in cold chains Sustainable food technologies Recent work emphasizes reducing food loss through physics-based modeling of refrigerated containers, ventilated packaging optimization, and scalable evaporative cooling systems. His studies bridge engineering principles with biological processes, aiming to enhance global food security and environmental sustainability.
