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Didier Trono is a Full Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where he leads the Laboratory of Virology and Genetics (LVG) within the School of Life Sciences. Formerly, from 2004 to 2012, he served as the founding dean of EPFL's Faculty of Life Sciences, orchestrating its development and growth during this formative period. Trono received his medical education at the University of Geneva, followed by clinical training in pathology, internal medicine, and infectious diseases in Geneva and at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. His scientific career began at the Whitehead Institute of MIT, and in 1990 he was recruited by the Salk Institute of San Diego to launch an AIDS research center. After seven years in the United States, he returned to Europe and eventually joined EPFL. Dr. Trono's research has evolved significantly over his career. Initially focusing on virus-host interactions, he studied pathogens like HIV and Hepatitis B virus, creating HIV-derived genetic transfer tools that are now successfully used in gene therapy. For approximately the last fifteen years, his research has centered on epigenetics, particularly exploring the impact of retroelements and their control mechanisms on development and physiology of higher organisms, including humans. His laboratory investigates how transposable elements and KRAB zinc finger proteins regulate gene expression, with important implications for understanding cancer biology and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Analysis of his recent publications (2022-2024) reveals a strong focus on transposable elements, KRAB zinc finger proteins, and their roles in gene regulation and cancer. His work combines molecular biology, genomics, and bioinformatics approaches to understand how these ancient viral remnants have been co-opted by the host genome to regulate development and cellular functions. The research spans basic molecular mechanisms to potential clinical applications in cancer diagnosis and therapy, with some recent work also addressing SARS-CoV-2 and immune responses. Throughout his career, Professor Trono has mentored numerous PhD students, including Bojkowska Karolina, Brandão Sanches Vong Martins Filipe Amândio, Bulliard Yannick, Coluccio Andrea, Corsinotti Andrea, Coudray Alexandre, De Tribolet-Hardy Jonas Caspar, and Dorschel Iris Arianna. His laboratory has received significant funding to support research at the intersection of virology, genetics, and epigenetics, contributing to EPFL's reputation as a leading institution in life sciences research. The Trono Laboratory continues to be at the forefront of research on retroelements and their regulatory mechanisms, maintaining a vibrant research environment that bridges fundamental biological questions with potential medical applications, particularly in cancer research and precision medicine.

• Epigenetics
• Retroelements
• Transposable elements
• +5 more

Pascal Frossard is a Full Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering in the School of Engineering (STI) at EPFL, with a courtesy appointment in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences. He founded and directs the LTS4 laboratory since 2003, co-leads the EPFL AI Center and Swiss Data Science Center, and serves as Associate Dean for Research at STI. Research Focus: Machine Learning, Graph Signal Processing, AI Applications in Healthcare, Computer Vision Academic Leadership: IEEE Fellow, ELLIS Fellow, Conference Chair roles Key Projects: Digital Pathology for Oncology, Cardiac Digital Twins, Robust Machine Learning Research Interests: His work bridges signal processing, machine learning, and applied mathematics, emphasizing biomedical applications. Recent research includes adversarial robustness in classifiers, network representation learning, and 360-degree video analysis. Scientific Awards: IEEE Fellow ELLIS Fellow Leadership in IEEE technical committees Advising & Grants: Supervised 20+ PhD students and postdocs. Secured major grants from PHRT, Hasler Foundation, FNS-Sinergia, Armasuisse, Google, and Cisco.

• Machine Learning
• Data Science
• Graph Signal Processing
• +6 more

Sandro Carrara is a Full Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where he leads the Bio/CMOS Interfaces (BCI) laboratory. He is affiliated with the School of Engineering (STI), the Institute of Electrical Engineering (SCI-STI-SC), and the Integrated Systems Laboratory (LSI). His academic leadership spans teaching, doctoral supervision, and editorial roles in major journals including IEEE Sensors Journal and BioNanoScience. Education: Diploma in Electronics, National Technical Institute of Albenga, Italy Master in Physics, University of Genoa, Italy PhD in Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Padua, Italy His research focuses on the integration of biological systems with CMOS technology, particularly in the development of nanoscale biosensors for health monitoring. Key areas include memristive biosensors, wearable and implantable sensors, electrochemical detection, and therapeutic drug monitoring. His work bridges electronics, nanotechnology, and biomedicine to enable point-of-care diagnostics and personalized medicine. His recent publications (2023–2025) show a strong trend toward sustainable printed electronics, machine learning for biosensing, in-memory computing for cancer diagnostics, and remote health monitoring. These works appear in high-impact journals such as IEEE Sensors Journal , Nanoscale , and Biosensors and Bioelectronics: X . Scientific Awards: IEEE Fellow (2015) IEEE Sensors Council Technical Achievement Award (2016) Distinguished Lecturer, IEEE Sensors Council (2017) Best Paper Award, IEEE MeMeA Symposium (2020) Multiple Gold and Bronze Leaf Prizes at PRIME and IEEE conferences Best Poster Awards at EMBEC and Nano-Tera meetings He actively advises PhD students and leads research projects involving CMOS-based biosensors, wireless implants, and smart sensor systems. His lab collaborates widely across disciplines and institutions, focusing on real-world applications in oncology, neurology, and environmental health. He has also contributed to the development of battery-free wearable devices, optical power transfer systems, and IoT-enabled telemedicine platforms. Laboratories and Teams: Bio/CMOS Interfaces (BCI) Laboratory, EPFL Integrated Systems Laboratory (LSI), EPFL Collaborations with IEEE Sensors Council and Circuits and Systems Society Editorial leadership in IEEE Sensors Journal and BioNanoScience

• Bioelectronics
• Nanotechnology
• CMOS Technology
• +12 more

Silvestro Micera is a Full Professor at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) and holds the Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Translational Neuroengineering. He directs the Translational Neural Engineering Laboratory and teaches courses including Neural signals and signal processing and Translational neuroengineering . His research bridges neural interfaces, robotics, and neuroprosthetics to restore motor functions in spinal cord injuries, stroke, and amputations. Micera's research integrates implantable neural interfaces, robotic rehabilitation, and hybrid neuro-prosthetic systems. Key focus areas include: Robotic neurorehabilitation for mobility restoration Neural control mechanisms in movement CNS/PNS neural interface development Bioelectronic modulation for sensory feedback His recent publications emphasize machine learning-driven motor recovery prediction, closed-loop sensory feedback systems, and minimally invasive neuroprosthetics. Trends include AI-optimized stimulation protocols, multimodal data fusion for rehabilitation, and clinical translation of neural bypass technologies. Awards: IEEE EMBS Early Career Achievement Award (2009) IEEE EMBS Technical Achievement Award (2021) Micera leads EU-funded projects such as TIME, CLONS, and NeuWalk, focusing on neural prostheses. He advises 8 current and 18 former PhD students in neuroengineering. His lab collaborates with MIT, Harvard, and industry partners (e.g., Plexon) to advance translational neurotechnologies.

• Neural Engineering
• Neuroprosthetics
• Robotics
• +3 more

Dr. Vakil Takhaveev is a Lecturer at ETH Zurich's Department of Health Sciences and Technology, within the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health. His research focuses on DNA damage mechanisms, aging, cancer, and neurodegeneration, with particular emphasis on developing novel DNA-damage-sequencing methods like click-code-seq and TRABI-Seq . He investigates anticancer drug action (e.g., trabectedin), aging clocks using DNA oxidation profiling, and stress-induced carcinogenesis. His work integrates multi-omics approaches and advanced sequencing techniques. Research Directions: Novel DNA-Damage-Sequencing Methods: Developed click-code-seq and TRABI-Seq for genomic mapping of DNA lesions and repair dynamics. Anticancer Drug Action: Explored mechanisms of trabectedin and other chemotherapeutics, linking DNA repair vulnerabilities to therapy resistance. Aging Clocks: Created DNA oxidation-based biomarkers for biological aging using genome-wide profiling in human and mouse models. Stress-Induced Pathologies: Studies metabolic and DNA damage links to early tumorigenesis and neurodegeneration. Awards & Recognition: 2025 Public Award Winner in PIs of Tomorrow competition 2024 ETH Zurich Career Seed Award Best presentation awards (Swiss Chemical Society, American Chemical Society) Grants & Collaborations: Impetus grants for aging clock development Swiss Chemical Society and American Chemical Society fellowships Labs & Teams: Leads research on DNA damage and aging mechanisms at ETH Zurich, collaborating with international groups in oncology and toxicology.

• DNA Damage and Repair
• Aging Mechanisms
• Cancer Biology
• +6 more

Prof. Dr. Helmuth Gehart is a faculty member at the Institute of Molecular Health Sciences , ETH Zurich . He leads the Tumor and Stem Cell Dynamics research group, focusing on dynamic cell identity in regeneration and cancer. Research Interests : Stem cell-environment interactions, organoid technology, single-cell sequencing, and mechanisms of tissue repair/tumorigenesis. Publications : 10+ articles (2015-2024) on organoid models, stem cell dynamics, and cancer biology.

• Stem Cell Biology
• Cancer Biology
• Regenerative Medicine
• +2 more

Edoardo Charbon is a Full Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in the School of Engineering, where he leads the Advanced Quantum Architecture Lab (AQUA). He also serves on the School Council STI and is Co-Director of STI-SSIQ Administration. Previously, he was a full professor and chair at Delft University of Technology from 2008 to 2016. Charbon received his Elektrotechnik Diploma from ETH Zurich, M.S. from UC San Diego, and Ph.D. from UC Berkeley, all in electrical engineering. His career spans industry experience at Cadence Design Systems and Canesta Inc. before joining EPFL in 2002. His research focuses on ultra high-speed and 3D optical sensors, with applications in LiDAR, FLIM (Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy), PET (Positron Emission Tomography), FCS (Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy), and NIROT (Near-Infrared Optical Tomography). He has pioneered deep-submicron CMOS SPAD technology, which is now mass-produced and used in smartphones, telemeters, and medical diagnostics. His recent work bridges cryo-CMOS circuits for quantum computing with advanced optical sensing techniques. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward integrating quantum technologies with practical imaging applications. His work spans from fundamental device development (SPAD sensors, cryo-CMOS circuits) to applied systems (LiDAR engines, medical imaging devices), with increasing integration of machine learning techniques for real-time processing. 2023 IISS Pioneering Achievement Award Fellow of the IEEE Distinguished visiting scholar, W. M. Keck Institute for Space at Caltech Fellow, Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft Distinguished lecturer, IEEE Photonics Society Professor Charbon has authored or co-authored over 500 papers and two books, and holds 27 patents. His research has been supported by collaborations with organizations including Bosch, X-Fab, Texas Instruments, Maxim, Sony, Agilent, and the Carlyle Group. He has driven significant innovation in CMOS SPAD technology, which is now commercially deployed in various applications. He leads the Advanced Quantum Architecture Lab (AQUA) at EPFL, which focuses on the development of advanced sensor systems combining quantum technologies with conventional electronics. The lab has been instrumental in creating SPAD-based imaging systems that push the boundaries of time-resolved optical detection.

• Ultra High-Speed Optical Sensors
• 3D Optical Sensors
• LiDAR
• +10 more

Sara Gallini is an Assistant Professor at EPFL, leading the Gallini Lab within the ISREC Department of the School of Engineering (SV). Her research focuses on understanding how healthy and oncogenic cells compete in skin epithelium, aiming to identify therapeutic targets for skin cancer prevention. She holds a Tenure Track position and teaches in the Life Sciences Engineering program. Her lab employs advanced in vivo imaging and single-cell analysis techniques. Education details are not explicitly provided, but her career includes a postdoctoral fellowship with the HFSP. Her research integrates molecular, cellular, and systems-level approaches to study cancer initiation and tissue homeostasis, particularly in injury-driven dynamics. Lab Members: Includes PhD student Mustafa Öztürk and technical staff Mélanie Sipion. Key Research Themes: Oncogenic cell competition, epidermal regeneration, EGFR/ERK signaling, and therapeutic target discovery. Her lab collaborates with clinical teams and uses models like mouse skin to study tumor suppression mechanisms. Future work aims to leverage healthy cell dynamics for cancer treatment strategies. Contact: SV 2527 office, +41216936764, sara.gallini@epfl.ch .

• Cancer Biology
• Cellular Dynamics
• Epithelial Biology
• +3 more

Prof. Raffaele Mezzenga is a Full Professor at ETH Zürich's Department of Health Sciences and Technology and Head of the Institute of Food, Nutrition, and Health. He earned his master's from Perugia University (Italy) and a PhD in Polymer Physics from EPFL, followed by postdoctoral work at UC Santa Barbara. His career includes roles at the Nestlé Research Center and the University of Fribourg before joining ETH in 2009. His research focuses on self-assembly processes in polymers, biopolymers, and colloidal systems, with applications in environmental remediation, bioplastics, and biomedical materials. Key contributions include pioneering protein-based materials and advancing understanding of amyloid fibrils. Education: Master's, Materials Science & Engineering, Perugia University PhD, Polymer Physics, EPFL Research Interests: Self-assembly, biopolymers, amyloid materials, sustainable technologies, food colloids, and soft condensed matter. Awards: 2011 AOCS Award, 2017 APS Fellowship, and 2013 Biomacromolecules Young Investigator Award. Visiting Roles: Held visiting professorships at Aalto University, RMIT, Monash University, Nanyang Technological University, and others. Labs/Teams: Leads the Institute of Food, Nutrition, and Health at ETH, focusing on interdisciplinary research in food science and biomaterials. His work bridges fundamental science and applied innovation, addressing global challenges in sustainability and health through materials science. Recent projects include creating bioplastics from food waste, developing amyloid-based water purification systems, and advancing targeted drug delivery via lipidic mesophases.

• Self-Assembly Processes
• Biopolymers
• Protein-Based Materials
• +6 more

Santiago F. González is a Group Leader at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) in Bellinzona, Switzerland, and an extraordinary professor at the University of Italian Switzerland (USI). He earned dual PhDs in microbiology (University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain) and immunology (University of Copenhagen, Denmark), followed by postdoctoral work (2007–2011) at Harvard Medical School's Immune Disease Institute under Michael Carroll. PhD in Microbiology, University of Santiago de Compostela PhD in Immunology, University of Copenhagen His research focuses on immune system dynamics during respiratory viral infections, vaccination, and cancer metastasis. Key areas include influenza recognition , lymph node inflammation , and immune cell behavior in vivo. He pioneered studies on C-type lectin receptors (e.g., SIGN-R1) in viral immunity and epigenetic modulators for inflammation. Recent publications highlight his work in epigenetic drug development , nanovaccines , and computational tools for immune cell tracking. His group uses two-photon intravital microscopy and spatial-temporal modeling to dissect immune responses. Scientific awards include three EU Marie Curie Fellowships (2004–2013), enabling his transition to independent research. His collaborations span Harvard, USI, and European institutions, with grants from the EU and Swiss research bodies. His lab at IRB, established via the 2013 Marie Curie Career Integration Grant , develops novel imaging approaches and therapeutic strategies for infectious and immune-mediated diseases.

• Immunology
• Virology
• Inflammation
• +5 more

Dr. Cooper Harshbarger is a Lecturer at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology at ETH Zurich , Switzerland. His research bridges biomechanics and acoustofluidics, focusing on spinal surgery and microscale cell manipulation technologies. Email: cooper.harshbarger@hest.ethz.ch Research Interests : Dr. Harshbarger specializes in biomechanical analysis of spinal structures and acoustofluidic device development . His work explores: Biomechanics of the lumbar spine and osteoligamentous complexes Acoustically-driven microfluidic systems for medical diagnostics Cell focusing/trapping technologies using sharp-edge acoustofluidics Scientific Contributions : Recent publications highlight his dual expertise in spinal fusion biomechanics and microscale fluid control , with applications in cancer diagnostics and cell manipulation. Key technologies include BAW-based systems and programmable acoustofluidic chips.

• Biomechanics
• Medical Technology
• Acoustofluidics
• +3 more

Brian W. Pogue, Ph.D., is the Robert A. Pritzker Chair in Biomedical Engineering at Dartmouth College's Thayer School of Engineering, with a joint appointment as an Honorary Fellow in Medical Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His academic background includes a Ph.D. in Medical/Nuclear Physics from McMaster University and a Research Fellowship at Harvard Medical School's Wellman Center for Photomedicine. He has led significant administrative roles, including Dean of Graduate Studies at Dartmouth (2008–2012) and Chair of Medical Physics at Wisconsin (2022–2025). Research Focus : Dr. Pogue pioneers Optics in Medicine , specializing in cancer imaging, photodynamic therapy, and surgical guidance. His work integrates fluorescence imaging, radiation therapy monitoring, and molecular diagnostics to improve cancer treatment precision. Key innovations include Cherenkov imaging for radiotherapy dosimetry and hypoxia-sensitive probes for tumor resection. Publication Trends : Recent articles (2023–2025) emphasize real-time surgical guidance, hypoxia quantification, and multimodal imaging systems. Dominant themes include fluorescence tomography, radiation dosimetry, and low-cost diagnostic devices, reflecting a translational focus from preclinical validation to clinical applications. Awards & Honors : Fellow, Optica (formerly OSA) Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) Fellow, American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Fellow, SPIE (International Society for Optics and Photonics) Funding & Innovation : Continuously funded by the NIH since 2001 ($52M+ total), Dr. Pogue founded three startups: DoseOptics LLC (radiotherapy dose imaging) and Hypoxia Surgical LLC (tissue hypoxia cameras), bridging academic research to clinical tools.

• Optics in Medicine
• Cancer Imaging
• Photodynamic Therapy
• +5 more

Dr. Igor V. Pivkin is a Full Professor at the Institute of Computing within the Faculty of Informatics at the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) in Lugano, Switzerland. His academic journey includes degrees from Novosibirsk State University (B.Sc./M.Sc. Mathematics), Brown University (M.Sc. Computer Science and Ph.D. Applied Mathematics), and postdoctoral research at MIT's Department of Materials Science and Engineering. His research focuses on multiscale/multiphysics modeling , numerical methods , and large-scale simulations of biological and physical systems. Key areas include biophysics, cellular/molecular biomechanics, stochastic modeling, and coarse-grained molecular simulations. He leverages high-performance computing (HPC) and particle-based methods to address complex biological phenomena. His work spans diverse applications, from understanding cellular mechanosensitivity and biofilm engineering to modeling cancer cell behavior and red blood cell dynamics in the spleen. His contributions bridge computational science, biotechnology, and biomedical research. He has published extensively in top-tier journals, with recent work advancing automated biofilm analysis, deep learning for microbial classification, and systems biology approaches to metal bioleaching. His lab collaborates on interdisciplinary projects, emphasizing computational innovation for real-world biological challenges.

• Multiscale Modeling
• Multiphysics Modeling
• Biophysics
• +7 more

Li Tang is an Associate Professor with tenure at École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the Institute of Bioengineering (IBI) and the Institute of Materials Science and Engineering (IMX) within the School of Engineering (STI). She leads the Laboratory of Biomaterials for Immunoengineering, focusing on developing innovative strategies at the intersection of immunology, materials science, and cancer therapy. Her work bridges fundamental research and clinical translation, with multiple ongoing clinical trials based on CAR-T cell therapies developed in her lab. B.S. in Chemistry, Peking University (2003–2007) Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2007–2012) Postdoctoral Fellow, MIT (2013–2016) Her research lies at the forefront of immunoengineering, integrating chemical, metabolic, and mechanical approaches to modulate immune responses. Key areas include cancer immunotherapy, immune metabolism, mechano-immunology, and biomaterials. She investigates how physical and biochemical cues can reprogram T cells, overcome exhaustion, and enhance tumor targeting. Her work emphasizes multidimensional immunity-disease interactions, aiming to develop safer and more effective therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in engineering immune cells (especially CAR-T) for enhanced durability and function, using advanced biomaterials and metabolic reprogramming. There is a clear focus on overcoming challenges in solid tumors, modulating the tumor microenvironment, and translating findings into clinical applications. The use of nanoparticle delivery, single-cell analysis, and biomechanical cues are recurring themes across her work. Notable scientific awards include: Friedrich Miescher Award (2025) ERC Starting Grant (2018) MIT TR35 Innovators Under 35 (China Region, 2020) Nano Research Young Innovator Award (2018) Biomaterials Science Emerging Investigator (2019) Materials Horizons Emerging Investigator (2020) Li Tang actively mentors PhD students across multiple doctoral programs (EDBB, EDMS, EDMX) and has advised numerous graduates who have gone on to prestigious postdoctoral and faculty positions. She is involved in significant research grants, including an Innosuisse project with Novochizol SA, and her lab is supported by competitive funding. She teaches core courses such as Immunoengineering and Next-Generation Biomaterials, shaping the next generation of scientists. Her lab fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation, with active projects in chemical, metabolic, and mechanical immunoengineering, as well as CAR-T cell development. She is the Principal Investigator of the Tang Lab, which includes postdoctoral fellows, PhD students, and technical staff. The lab is actively recruiting and has a strong publication and clinical translation record. Tang Lab is also involved in multiple MA/BA training projects and promotes student engagement in cutting-edge research. The lab’s discoveries are being translated into clinical trials, reflecting a strong commitment to translational science.

• Immunoengineering
• Cancer Immunotherapy
• Immune Metabolism
• +7 more

Kristina Schoonjans is an Associate Professor at EPFL’s School of Life Sciences, where she leads the Laboratory of Metabolic Signaling (UPSCHOONJANS). Her research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of bile acid signaling, nutrient sensing, and intermediary metabolism, particularly in the context of metabolic disorders such as obesity, fatty liver disease, and cancer. She investigates how the liver-gut-brain axis integrates metabolic signals through nuclear receptors and mitochondrial dynamics. Her research interests include: Bile acid signaling and its role as a hormonal regulator Nutrient and metabolite sensing in energy homeostasis Intermediary metabolism and metabolic disorders Role of nuclear receptors (e.g., TGR5, LRH-1) in liver, gut, and adipose tissue Mitochondrial dynamics and fission in metabolic regulation Organoid models for studying liver and intestinal metabolism Systems genetics using BXD mouse populations The most recent articles highlight a strong focus on bile acid signaling, particularly through TGR5 and LRH-1, in regulating metabolic health. Themes include the conversion of white fat to beige fat (beiging), hepatic tumorigenesis, mitochondrial fission, and the use of organoid and genetically engineered mouse models. There is a consistent emphasis on translational applications for obesity, fatty liver disease, and cancer. Scientific honors include: Windaus Prize from the Dr. Falk Foundation (2010, shared with Johan Auwerx) for the discovery of the signaling/endocrine function of bile acids Prof. Schoonjans actively supervises PhD students and has advised numerous doctoral candidates who have since completed their theses. Her lab is supported by multiple grants from Swiss and international funding agencies, including the Swiss National Science Foundation, EPFL, CONACYT, and the Foundation for Health and Education. She teaches in several doctoral programs at EPFL, including Life Sciences Engineering, and contributes to education through the SSV and EDBB/EDCB/EDMS-ENS programs. The Schoonjans Lab brings together scientists, doctoral assistants, and technicians working on projects related to metabolic signaling. The team uses advanced techniques such as genetically modified mouse models, organoid cultures, and multi-omics (metabolomics, proteomics, transcriptomics) to study the liver-gut and brain-liver axes. The lab has a strong track record of high-impact publications and collaborations with institutions worldwide.

• Bile acid signaling
• Nutrient sensing
• Intermediary metabolism
• +11 more