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Volker HeusslerView profile

Professor

• Malaria
• Parasitology
• Plasmodium
• +6 more

Prof. Dr. Volker Heussler is a full Professor in Molecular Parasitology and Cell Biology at the Institute of Cell Biology , University of Bern, and has served as Acting Director of the Institute since 2014. His research focuses on the pre-blood stages of malaria parasites , particularly the liver stage of Plasmodium , aiming to develop live attenuated vaccines and drug-based interventions . He employs advanced microscopy and transgenic parasite models to study parasite-host interactions. PhD in Parasitology (1993, University of Bern) Postdoctoral work at University of Bern, ILRI Nairobi, and Bernhard-Nocht-Institute. Research Interests revolve around molecular mechanisms of Plasmodium liver stage proliferation, autophagy interactions, and organelle segregation. His lab investigates how host autophagy proteins are subverted, how dormant liver stages persist, and how parasites egress from hepatocytes. Techniques include confocal microscopy , live cell imaging , and CRISPR genomics . Recent publication trends emphasize host-pathogen molecular interactions , autophagy modulation , and innovative imaging methods . His team includes key collaborators like Dr. Reto Caldelari and Dr. Jacqueline Schmuckli. Funding sources include Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) , Novartis , and EU Framework 7 . Advising includes mentoring PhD students Kodzo Atchou and Melanie Schmid. His work contributes to global malaria eradication efforts through the MalarX consortium and Indo-Swiss Joint Research Programme . The lab’s multidisciplinary approach bridges cellular biology , computational modeling , and translational medicine .

Jérémie ForneyView profile

Professor

• Environmental Anthropology
• Agro-food Systems
• Agroecology
• +4 more

Jérémie Forney is an Ordinary Professor in Environmental Anthropology at the Institute of Ethnology , University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland. He co-directs the CEDD-Agro-Eco-Clim center, focusing on sustainable agroecological systems in the Jura Arc under climate change. His career spans research in Swiss, European, and New Zealand agrarian systems, emphasizing environmental governance and sustainability transitions. Agricultural populations and their socio-political dynamics Agro-food systems and agroecology Environmental governance (public policies, private governance, biodiversity conservation) Transdisciplinarity and participatory approaches His recent scholarship explores assemblage theory in agri-environmental governance, with a focus on digitalization, farmer autonomy, and sustainability metrics. Projects include SYNAGRI (bioeconomy-food synergies), Agroforesterie (federal agri-environmental collaboration), and Terres Vivantes (sustainable regional systems). He mentors PhD students on topics ranging from soil erosion in Greece to cocoa agroforestry in Peru. Scientific awards include a Swiss National Science Foundation (FNS) Professor Fellowship . His work bridges academic research with policy impact, emphasizing farmer agency and systemic adaptation in climate-vulnerable regions.

Thomas SanchezView profile

Research Fellow

• Medical Imaging
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Fetal Imaging
• +3 more

Thomas Sanchez serves as a Research Fellow at the Center for Biomedical Imaging (CIBM) under the University of Lausanne and CHUV hospital, working within the Computational Neuroanatomy & Fetal Imaging Section at the Medical Image Analysis Laboratory (MIAL) led by Dr. Meritxell Bach Cuadra. His academic credentials include: Master's degree in Computational Science and Engineering from EPFL (2018) PhD in Computer Science from EPFL (2022) Sanchez specializes in medical imaging with emphasis on magnetic resonance imaging optimization. His doctoral work developed reinforcement learning and deep learning approaches for Cartesian sampling mask optimization in accelerated MRI, balancing acquisition speed against image quality. Current projects focus on deep learning-based quality control systems for fetal brain MRI and 3D super-resolution reconstruction techniques, advancing diagnostic capabilities in prenatal neuroimaging. MIAL operates as a collaborative research hub within CIBM, integrating computational methods with clinical radiology applications at CHUV Radiologie.

Bingcong LiView profile

Researcher

• Machine Learning
• Optimization
• Signal Processing
• +3 more

Bingcong Li is a postdoctoral researcher at ETH Zurich collaborating with Prof. Niao He and the ODI group. Previously, they completed doctoral studies at the University of Minnesota under Prof. Georgios B. Giannakis, followed by industry experience focused on large language models (LLMs). Education includes a PhD from the University of Minnesota under Prof. Georgios B. Giannakis. Research centers on making computation efficient, accessible, and affordable across heterogeneous resources—from GPU clusters to consumer hardware—through interdisciplinary approaches combining deep learning, optimization, and signal processing. Key research areas address foundational computing architectures, large-scale system sustainability, and personalized AI access. Their work develops theoretically grounded methods for explainable systems, with recent focus on LLM fine-tuning efficiency. Publication trends show consistent contributions to top conferences (NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR) with emphasis on optimization techniques for resource-constrained LLM deployment. Their advising and grant activities aren't explicitly detailed, though they actively participate in academic service through conference talks (EUROPT 2025, ICASSP 2025) and co-organizing events like the Efficient LLMs Fine-tuning Track at AI+X Summit. Lab affiliation centers on ETH Zurich's ODI group under Prof. Niao He, focusing on optimization-driven AI solutions.

Andrea AbrahamView profile

Professor

• Child welfare and family welfare
• Adoption
• Transgenerational consequences of out-of-home placements
• +8 more

Andrea Abraham is a Professor at the Institute for Childhood, Youth and Family of Bern University of Applied Sciences. Her work focuses on child welfare, adoption, and transgenerational impacts of out-of-home placements, integrating qualitative and art-based research methodologies. Professor in Social Work Director of the Institute for Childhood, Youth and Family Specializes in digital memory work for foster children Her research projects include the MemoryBox web application and Methodenkoffer tools to support biographical continuity. She collaborates with international institutions like Tata Institute of Social Sciences and networks such as the International Foster Care Research Network. Key themes in her publications include: Transgenerational trauma Digital resilience in foster care Ethical dimensions of adoption Qualitative longitudinal studies

Esther AbplanalpView profile

Professor

• Social Work Education
• Counseling in Social Work
• Virtual Reality Applications in Education
• +2 more

Prof. Esther Abplanalp serves as Department Head of the Department of Professional Development at Bern University of Applied Sciences within the School of Social Work. Based in Bern, Switzerland, she has established herself as a significant contributor to social work education through her research and leadership. Her research focuses on key areas including: Counseling practices and requirements in social work Personality development in higher education settings Application of immersive virtual reality technologies in social work education Practice-based learning and field education in social work programs Family social work interventions Prof. Abplanalp's recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on innovative teaching methods, particularly the integration of virtual reality technologies to enhance counseling training. Her 2019 work on Immersive Virtual Reality examines how these technologies can support students' personality development and professional identity formation in social work education. Available at the university on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, she maintains an active presence in both teaching and research capacities, with her work spanning from foundational family social work (2009) to cutting-edge educational technology applications (2020).

Joshua WeberView profile

Researcher

• Social Work
• Digital Humanities
• Digitalization in Social Work
• +3 more

Joshua Weber is a Research Associate at the University Center, School of Social Work FHNW , where he focuses on digitalization in social work and specialized software development. He is concurrently a doctoral student at the University of Cologne, Faculty of Human Sciences since 2018. Education: Master's (2012–2014) and Bachelor's (2008–2012) in Social Work from Evangelical University of Freiburg Professional Experience: Research roles at University Center (2017–present), Evangelical University of Freiburg (2014–2016), and Mannheim University of Applied Sciences (2014–2015) His research explores digitalization in social work , including specialist software, curricular integration, and materiality-sensitive approaches. He has published extensively on AI empowerment, ecosystemic competency models, and sociotechnical systems in peer-reviewed journals and conferences. Recent work includes collaborations on Actor-Network Theory and digital artifacts in social contexts. Joshua teaches courses like BA 101: Social Work as a Science and Profession and BA 115: Support for BA theses Digitalization , emphasizing digital transformation in social work. He is active in the German Society for Social Work (Specialist Group: Digitalization) and Swiss Society for Social Work (Expert Commission: Digitalization) . Key contributions include framing digital participation in software development, AI-driven educational tools, and ethical considerations in digital social work. His work bridges academic research with practical implementation through projects like Fachsoftware selection frameworks and digital competency models for universities.

• Organizational Psychology
• Adult Education
• Training Transfer
• +4 more

Nathalie Delobbe is a faculty member at the University of Geneva's Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, where she contributes to the research group ACT'FOR, focusing on learning and skills development in professional and training contexts. Her work bridges organizational psychology, adult education, and workplace dynamics. Her research explores: Mechanisms of learning transfer and training effectiveness in adult education Emotional engagement in professional development Impact of remote/hybrid work on organizational socialization Vocational training systems and employee retention Psychological aspects of workplace adaptation and team creativity Analysis of her recent publications reveals strong emphasis on workplace transformation, particularly telework adaptation and e-learning methodologies. Her studies frequently employ case-based and comparative approaches across healthcare, hospitality, and corporate sectors. She has supervised 5 student works and contributes to advancing research methodologies in educational and organizational psychology. She collaborates within the ACT'FOR research group, investigating contemporary challenges in workforce development and organizational behavior.

Melike OemerogullariView profile

Researcher

• Educational Psychology
• Teaching Quality
• Heterogeneity in Education
• +3 more

Melike Ömerogullari, Dr. phil., is a Senior Teaching and Research Assistant at the Chair for Research on Learning, Instruction and Didactics at the University of Zurich (UZH) , a position she has held since November 2024. Previously, she worked as a Research Assistant at the University of Teacher Education of the Grisons (PHGR) (2023–2024), University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) (2019–2022), and the Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN) (2017–2019). She earned a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Evaluation from the University of Bern (2023), a PhD in Education (Dr. phil.) from FAU (2022), an M.Sc. in Empirical Educational Research from the University of Bamberg (2016), and a Diploma in Biology from the University of Hohenheim (2012). Ömerogullari’s research focuses on teaching quality, heterogeneity in educational contexts, and social support in classrooms . Her peer-reviewed work explores how private tutoring, school enjoyment, and transitions to secondary education impact disadvantaged students, with datasets like KESS (grades 4–13) and longitudinal studies. Though no explicit awards are listed, her contributions to collaborative research and field reports highlight her role in advancing educational psychology and equity.

Mela KocherView profile

Researcher

• Game Design
• Serious Games
• Gamification
• +6 more

Mela Kocher is a Senior Researcher in Game Design at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), where she also serves as Deputy Head of E-Learning and Project Manager of Ludic Didactics. Her work focuses on the intersection of play, games, and education, particularly in the development of experimental teaching formats that integrate digital tools and spaces through gamification and playification. PhD in Philosophy (University of Zurich, 2004) Licentiate in German Language and Literature, Computational Linguistics, and General History (University of Zurich, 2000) Her research explores the cultural and societal significance of games, emphasizing their role in fostering key skills for learning. She has led projects such as the SNSF-funded "Confederation Ludens: Swiss Game Design History 1980–2000" and developed games like "LucyZH" and "WunderKeeper" to address educational and urban engagement challenges. Mela Kocher's publications and projects span transmedia storytelling, alternate reality games, narrative mechanics, and the aesthetics of interactive media. She has collaborated internationally, including affiliations with the University of Lausanne, University of Bern, and institutions in Sweden and the U.S., focusing on digital humanities and innovative pedagogy. At ZHdK, she supervises PhD students in the SNSF Sinergia project and mentors game design learners. Her research has been supported by grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and institutions like the Mobile Life Center in Stockholm and UC San Diego's Center for Research in Computing and the Arts (CRCA). Mela Kocher is actively involved in labs such as GameLab ZHdK, which drives experimental game design projects. Her collaborative efforts extend to the Swiss Institute for Children's and Youth Media (SIKJM), where she has held leadership roles in shaping media literacy and interactive learning initiatives.

Lea StahelView profile

Researcher

• Digital Sociology
• Online Aggression
• Social Norms
• +3 more

Dr. Lea Stahel is a Senior Research and Teaching Associate at the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Zurich. Her research focuses on digital sociology, with specific interests in online aggression, algorithmic influences, social norms, and digital inequality. Education: Dr. phil. in Sociology (University of Zurich, 2018), MSc in Political Psychology (Queen's University Belfast, 2011–2012), BA in Psychology (University of Basel, 2006–2009) Research Interests: Lea investigates sociological multilevel perspectives on digital hate speech, legitimacy construction in networked publics, and the intersection of technical recommendations with social influences on decision-making. Her work spans health, work, and political domains in digital contexts. Project Leadership: She leads initiatives like Hostility towards Members of Parliament in Switzerland (FDJP-funded) and Cyber Safari – Zurich Learning Path to Digital Resilience (DIZH/DSI-funded). Collaborative projects include Algorithm vs. Friends (DSI) and External Pressure on Journalists (FAN). Scientific Communication: Lea contributes to policy reports for Swiss federal agencies and academic discourse through book chapters and conference presentations, including at the International Conference on Social Media & Society and the Third Workshop on Abusive Language Online.

Bithiah YuanView profile

Researcher

• Human-AI Collaboration
• Explainable AI
• Machine Learning
• +4 more

Bithiah Yuan is a Doctoral Candidate in Informatics at the University of Zurich, where she works as a Researcher in the Information Management Research Group. She also holds a Research Associate position at the HIAS LAB (Berner Fachhochschule) since 2025. Doctoral Candidate, Informatics, University of Zurich (2025–present) Research Associate, HIAS LAB, Berner Fachhochschule (2025–present) Clinical Psychology Intern, Psychiatric Center Upper Valais (2024) Her research focuses on Human-AI Collaboration, Explainable AI, and Machine Learning, with applications in Financial Question Answering systems. She developed FinBERT-QA , a BERT-based system for financial domain QA that improved state-of-the-art results by ~20% on ranking metrics. Key technical contributions include integrating Anserini for BM25 retrieval, developing pointwise and pairwise learning approaches for BERT fine-tuning, and creating open-source tools for financial data processing. Her work combines Information Retrieval, Deep Learning, and Financial Data Analysis. She has previously worked as a Founding Data Scientist (Genova AI), UX Consultant (Motionworks), and Developer Experience Engineer (Jina AI). Her internships included Mathematics research at University of Maryland (funded by NSF) and Texas A&M University.

Tabea EberliView profile

Researcher

• Self-Regulated Learning
• Educational Psychology
• Secondary School Pedagogy
• +3 more

Tabea Eberli is a researcher at the University of Zurich , affiliated with the Chair of Secondary School Pedagogy and Teaching and Learning Research under Prof. Dr. Yves Karlen. Her work focuses on enhancing teacher professional competencies and student learning outcomes through empirical studies on self-regulated learning and diagnostic assessment. Institution: University of Zurich Role: Researcher Research Focus: Self-Regulated Learning, Teacher Motivation, Diagnostic Competence Research Interests Her research investigates the design of self-regulated learning processes, development of diagnostic tools for interdisciplinary learning, and mechanisms linking mindsets and motivation to educational outcomes. She emphasizes bridging academic research with classroom practice to empower educators and students in digitalized environments. Publication Trends Her recent articles analyze professional development programs for teachers, digital tools for assessing self-regulated learning, and frameworks for linking teacher competence to student metacognition. Themes include diagnostic judgment accuracy, expectancy-value theory, and classroom-based interventions for fostering lifelong learning. Collaborations She collaborates with Prof. Yves Karlen, Dr. Corina Hirt, and other researchers on longitudinal studies and randomized control trials, often published in journals like Teaching and Teacher Education and Metacognition and Learning .

Claudia ZingerliView profile

Lecturer

• Sustainable Development
• Political Ecology
• Natural Resource Management
• +7 more

Claudia Zingerli is a Lecturer at ETH Zürich's Department of Humanities, Social and Political Sciences and currently serves as Head of ETH Sustainability since June 2022. Her career spans roles such as senior scientist at ETH Zurich (2002-2006), education lead of Climate-KIC Switzerland, and lecturer in D-USYS (2010-2014). She also coordinated the Swiss Programme for Research on Global Issues for Development (r4d programme) and Solution-oriented Research for Development (SOR4D) between 2014-2022. Board member of Sustainable Development Solution Network (SDSN) Switzerland since 2024 Board member of Swiss Academic Society for Environmental Research and Ecology since 2010 Expert associate of Swiss Academy of Natural Sciences (SCNAT) and Swiss Academy of Social Sciences and Humanities (SAGW) Her research focuses on the political nature of natural resource management, politics of knowledge production in sustainable development, and transformation studies. She has contributed to numerous publications on transformative innovation, environmental justice, transdisciplinarity, and sustainability governance. She earned a Master’s in geography, social anthropology, and economics from University of Basel and Freiburg im Breisgau, followed by a PhD in development studies from University of East Anglia. Her recent academic outputs include 15 articles on topics ranging from climate justice to urban agriculture, with keywords spanning sustainability science, political ecology, and transdisciplinarity. She is actively involved in advancing sustainability through campus initiatives via the International Alliance for Research Universities (IARU) and serves on multiple advisory committees.

Felix NaefView profile

Professor

• Circadian Rhythms
• Computational Biology
• Systems Biology
• +6 more

Prof. Felix Naef is a Full Professor at EPFL's School of Life Sciences (SV), leading the Laboratory of Computational and Systems Biology within the Institute of Bioengineering (IBI). His research focuses on quantitative systems biology, integrating theoretical, computational, and experimental approaches to study circadian rhythms, gene regulation, and cellular dynamics. He holds additional roles in teaching and administration, including membership in the Doctoral Program Committee for Computational and Quantitative Biology and the CDS Office. Education: PhD in Physics, EPFL (2000) Postdoctoral training at Rockefeller University (2000-2004) Research Interests: Circadian gene regulatory networks and liver chronobiology Single-cell analysis of transcriptional bursting and noise Systems biology of developmental patterning and metabolic pathways Integration of multi-omics data to model biological oscillators Key Contributions: Pioneered methods to infer circadian time from omics data Discovered space-time interactions in liver zonation and gene expression Advanced understanding of ribosome dynamics and translation elongation Awards: EMBO Member (2020) SNSF Sinergia Grant (2022) Advising & Grants: Supervised over 30 PhD students and postdocs Funded by SNSF, EU Horizon 2020, and industry collaborations Laboratory: The Naef Lab is part of EPFL's IBI, collaborating globally to address fundamental questions in systems biology and chronobiology.