Prof. Noah Bubenhofer is a Professor of German Linguistics at the University of Zurich's Department of German Studies since 2019. Previously, he held positions at Zurich University of Applied Sciences (2018–2019) and led the 'Visual Linguistics' project at the University of Zurich's Institute of Computational Linguistics. His research focuses on AI in language, corpus linguistics, and visual linguistics, with particular attention to discourse analysis and digital humanities methodologies. He earned his academic credentials through roles at TU Dresden, the Institute for German Language (IDS), and the Heidelberg Center for American Studies. His teaching includes modules on corpus linguistics, language and AI, and German linguistics. Bubenhofer directs the Digital Society Initiative and chairs the Machines-Cultures Lab, exploring the interplay between technology and writing practices. His publications address topics like LLM applications, data-driven text analysis, and the future of academic writing in the AI era. Key projects include the LiRI Corpus Platform and Swissdox database, advancing FAIR-compliant infrastructure for linguistic research. He actively engages in public discourse via blogs and podcasts, discussing AI ethics, machine translation, and the cultural impacts of digital transformation.
Thomas Koenig is a Group Leader at the University of Bern's Translational Research Center and a Visiting Professor at the University of Geneva's Campus Biotech. His primary affiliation is the University of Bern, where he contributes to the Medical Faculty's Department of Psychiatry. Koenig's research focuses on EEG microstate analysis, particularly in understanding brain dynamics during health and psychiatric disorders. His work integrates neurophysiology with philosophical inquiries into the mind-brain relationship, including a Master's in Philosophy of Mind. Key contributions include developing the MICROSTATELAB toolbox and advancing microstate methodology. His research spans schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, sleep neurophysiology, and the neural correlates of self-experience. Education: Holds a Master in Philosophy (emphasis on Philosophy of Mind) alongside his natural sciences background. His academic background bridges neuroscience and philosophy, enhancing interdisciplinary research. Research interests include EEG/ERP microstates, resting-state networks, neuroimaging biomarkers, and translational applications in psychiatry. His articles emphasize EEG methodology, clinical applications, and cognitive neuroscience. Collaborations span institutions globally, addressing topics like psychosis biomarkers, sleep modulation, and neurodegenerative markers. Notable contributions include identifying EEG microstate D as a psychosis correlate and investigating sleep's functional networks. His work on closed-loop sleep stimulation highlights translational potential for memory and neurodegenerative interventions.
Dr. Marc Züst is a Group Leader and Deputy Head of Research at the University Psychiatric Services (UPD) Bern, Department of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. His work focuses on sleep physiology, cognitive aging, and neurodegenerative diseases. He holds a PhD from the University of Bern (2017) and has led multiple projects on sleep enhancement to prevent dementia. Awards include SNSF grants and best poster recognition at the Synapsis Forum (2022). Education: PhD (University of Bern, 2012–2017): 'Structure and limits of unconscious episodic memory' MSc in Cognitive and Neuropsychology (University of Zurich, 2010–2012) BSc in Psychology (University of Zurich, 2006–2010) Research Interests: Sleep-wake regulation, memory consolidation, slow-wave sleep modulation, and translational interventions for dementia prevention. His lab explores non-invasive tools like acoustic stimulation to improve sleep quality in aging populations. Grants & Awards: SNSF Project Grant (2023–ongoing) UniBe Initiator Grant (2022–2024) Synapsis Foundation Career Award (2022–2024) Labs/Teams: Leads the Sleep and Memory Lab at UPD, focusing on clinical applications of sleep science to delay cognitive decline.
Shervin Zakeri is a Research Fellow at the Research Institute for Statistics and Information Science, University of Geneva. His research focuses on multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM), integrating machine learning and artificial intelligence into decision support systems, particularly in transportation and supply chain contexts. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Geneva. Key research areas include developing novel MCDM methodologies, such as the RWCVP and ARWEN methods, and applying these to real-world problems like autonomous vehicle integration and supplier selection. His work bridges theoretical advancements with practical applications in urban logistics, grey systems theory, and optimization algorithms. Publications highlight contributions to decision modeling in transportation (e.g., Geneva’s public transport systems) and material selection problems. Collaborations involve interdisciplinary teams addressing challenges in sustainable supply chains and urban planning. No scientific awards are listed, but his active research portfolio demonstrates significant contributions to operations research and decision analysis.
Quoc-Hy Dao serves as a Full Professor and Vice-Director of the Institute of Environmental Sciences at the University of Geneva, where he leads research in geospatial technologies and environmental governance. He also heads the Metadata and Socioeconomics Unit at GRID-Geneva (United Nations Environment Programme), demonstrating his significant international impact. His academic journey includes a postgraduate degree from the International Institute for Aerospace Surveys and Earth Sciences (ITC, Netherlands) and a PhD in human geography from the University of Geneva. Professor Dao's research spans critical environmental domains with three primary axes: Planetary Boundaries breakdown at the territorial scale, Territorial cohesion through indicator development, and Environmental risks via spatial and quantitative modeling. His work integrates Geographic Information Systems, cartographic semiology, risk assessment, population mapping, and sustainable territorial development. He has pioneered applications of Big Data and geospatial technologies in environmental monitoring, particularly through the TRACES project addressing Sustainable Development Goals 13, 14, and 15. His publication record reveals a consistent focus on planetary boundaries frameworks, environmental risk modeling, and geospatial data infrastructure. Recent work shows increasing emphasis on semantic enrichment of Earth Observation data, flood risk assessment using innovative platforms like Google Earth Engine, and climate vulnerability analysis in urban settings. His research bridges technical geospatial innovations with practical environmental governance applications. As an educator, Professor Dao teaches core courses including Cartography, Geographic Information, Remote Sensing, and Spatial Analysis in Geography. He also co-directs advanced programs such as the Master of Advanced Studies in Urban Planning and the Certificate of Advanced Studies in Geographic Information in Urban Planning. He actively mentors doctoral students across diverse topics including geospatial technologies in illegal gold mining monitoring, ecosystem services policy analysis in West Africa, and smart city development in Rwanda. His leadership extends to directing the Complementary Certificate in Geomatics and representing the University of Geneva at the Geneva Territorial Information System. Professor Dao leads significant research projects including TRACES (2021-2025, Swiss National Science Foundation) on semantic environmental trajectories of territories, and CATI-GE Geoportal for territorial analysis of inequalities in Geneva. His work connects academic research with practical environmental governance applications through his dual roles at the University of Geneva and UNEP/GRID-Geneva.
Professor Karl Blanchet is Director of the Geneva Centre of Humanitarian Studies and Academic Director of InZone, a joint initiative between Université de Genève and The Graduate Institute (IHEID). His work focuses on humanitarian public health and health systems research in conflict zones and displacement settings. He leads major projects such as the Impact of Attacks on Healthcare (RIAH) consortium and co-chairs the Lancet Migration European Regional Hub , addressing migration health equity in Europe. Research Interests: Blanchet’s research spans health systems resilience, healthcare in armed conflicts, migration health, and evidence-based policy design. He co-developed Afghanistan’s Integrated Package of Essential Health Services , funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and collaborates with WHO, MSF, and UN agencies. His work emphasizes system thinking approaches to strengthen health systems against shocks like epidemics, economic crises, and political instability. Key Projects: Leading Afghanistan case studies in RIAH (funded by UK FCDO) Co-PI for SYSTAC Europe (WHO Health Policy Systems Research) BRANCH Consortium for women’s/children’s health in conflict Advocacy & Grants: Blanchet has secured funding from major donors like Gates Foundation and UK FCDO. His work advocates for healthcare worker protection in Gaza, Sudan, and Myanmar, and addresses systemic barriers to migrant health access in Europe. He chairs global initiatives like the Lancet Migration Hub and contributes to WHO policy frameworks on health systems resilience. Academic Leadership: Teaches courses on humanitarian health systems at ISG, including modules on NCDs in crises, sexual violence response, and planetary health. His team includes researchers like Audrey Mahieu and Rosemary Jouhaud.
Dr. Jemil Avers Butt is a Lecturer at ETH Zurich's Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering (D-BAUG), specializing in Geomatics and Geodetic Engineering. His research focuses on advanced geospatial technologies, including terrestrial radar interferometry, LiDAR sensing, and MIMO-SAR for structural and environmental monitoring. He develops novel methods for improving sensor accuracy, data fusion, and deformation analysis in civil engineering applications. His work addresses challenges in monitoring infrastructure such as bridges, wind turbines, and dams, leveraging machine learning and probabilistic modeling to enhance data interpretation. Recent projects include RGB-guided 3D displacement estimation, self-calibration of laser scanners, and phase ambiguity resolution in electronic distance measurements. He teaches courses like 'Computational Methods for Geospatial Analysis' and 'Project Parameter Estimation,' reflecting his expertise in both theoretical and applied aspects of geomatic engineering.
Dr. Isabella Mayer is a Researcher in the Department of Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST) at ETH Zurich, affiliated with the Professorship for Stem Cell Biology and Ageing. Her primary research focuses on understanding mechanisms governing hematopoietic stem cells and their dysregulation in leukemia. Key areas include CDK6 signaling, cell cycle regulation in leukemic contexts, and developing experimental models for studying leukemic transformation. Her work integrates molecular biology, cell culture techniques, and genetic analysis to explore how cellular processes like RNA sequestration in P-bodies or CDK6 degradation pathways contribute to leukemia progression. Recent studies highlight novel roles for CDK6 beyond traditional cell cycle roles, revealing its impact on stem cell functionality and therapeutic vulnerabilities in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Mayer’s team has pioneered robust systems for isolating and expanding hematopoietic and leukemic stem/progenitor cells, enabling detailed investigation of transformation processes. These models facilitate the discovery of molecular targets such as the interplay between p16 INK4A , p18 INK4C , and CDK6 in AML pathogenesis. Her research bridges basic stem cell biology with clinical relevance, with a focus on translating findings into potential therapeutic strategies for blood cancers. Current efforts emphasize understanding how genetic and signaling pathways in leukemia progenitors can be modulated to combat treatment resistance.
Dr. Dominik Wyser is a Researcher in the Department of Rehabilitation Engineering at ETH Zürich. He contributes to the Professorship for Rehabilitation Engineering, focusing on neurotechnology and wearable medical devices. His work emphasizes functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), brain-computer interfaces (BCI), and rehabilitation technology. Wyser leads projects involving Optohive, a wearable fNIRS system for ambulatory brain activity monitoring. His research spans signal processing, clinical neuroscience, and biomedical instrumentation. Education background: Not explicitly stated in provided texts but implied through academic role. Research interests include advancing wearable neurotechnology for real-world applications, optimizing fNIRS systems for clinical and sports settings, and improving motor imagery decoding for BCI systems. His work bridges engineering and medicine, with applications in exercise physiology and neurorehabilitation. Publications reflect a focus on fNIRS methodology, BCI advancements, and wearable device development. No awards or grants explicitly listed, though involvement with Optohive suggests industry-academia collaboration. No formal student supervision details provided.
Christie Walker is a researcher at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at ETH Zurich , specializing in Environmental Systems Design . Her work focuses on quantifying environmental impacts of personalized nutrition and developing optimization tools for sustainable diets. MSc Environmental Engineering (ETH Zurich, 2012-2015) BSc Civil Engineering (Pennsylvania State University, 1998-2002) Research interests include: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of food systems Climate change and biodiversity loss mitigation through dietary choices Linear optimization for nutrition-environment trade-offs Seasonal and geographical dietary guidelines Her publications demonstrate cross-disciplinary work in environmental science and nutrition, emphasizing: Integration of nutrient requirements with environmental indicators Comparative analysis across Switzerland and Spain Role of local vs. imported foods in sustainability Impact of dietary supplements on vegan diet viability Walker is part of the Hellweg research group at ETH Zurich, applying systems engineering approaches to food sustainability challenges.
Nathan Beech is a Researcher affiliated with the Professorship for Environmental Physics at ETH Zurich's Department of Environmental Systems Science. His work focuses on advancing ocean modeling techniques, particularly in the Southern Ocean, and understanding the impacts of climate change on mesoscale ocean dynamics. He contributes to high-resolution climate modeling projects using tools like FESOM 2.5, emphasizing computational efficiency and accuracy. Research Interests: Beech's studies center on the interplay between ocean eddies and climate systems, with emphasis on anthropogenic climate change's effects. His work addresses challenges in modeling mesoscale processes, optimizing computational resources for large-scale simulations, and validating climate models against historical data. Recent projects include analyzing long-term eddy activity trends and assessing regional climate impacts on viticulture in British Columbia. Labs/Teams: Collaborates within the Environmental Physics research group at ETH Zurich. Current projects involve interdisciplinary climate modeling initiatives and Southern Ocean dynamics studies.
Kenza Benabderrazik is a Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Systems Science (D-USYS), ETH Zurich. She serves as an outreach project coordinator for the Sustainable Agroecosystems Group, focusing on curriculum development and interdisciplinary initiatives such as the art-science exhibition project 'Edible Research Goes Storytelling.' Her research examines resilience in agroecosystems, particularly the impacts of climate change and market volatility on smallholder farmers in Morocco, Ghana, and Ethiopia. Education: PhD in Food System Resilience (ETH Zurich, 2016–2020) Master and Bachelor in Environmental Science and Engineering (EPFL Lausanne, 2006–2012) Research Interests: Climate resilience in food systems Water resource management Agroecology and socio-ecological systems Political ecology of food systems Her work integrates system dynamics modelling with participatory approaches to address systemic challenges in agricultural sustainability. Awards: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship for Foreign Students Grants & Projects: Contributions to the World Food System Center's 'Enhancing Resilience in Food Systems' project Swiss-funded doctoral research on tomato producers in Morocco and Ghana
Dr. Christina Hartmann is a Lecturer and Senior Researcher at the Department of Environmental Systems Science (D-USYS), ETH Zurich, Switzerland. She leads research on consumer behavior and nutrition psychology, focusing on novel food technologies, sustainability, and health. Her work addresses acceptance of plant-based proteins, cultured meat, and 3D-printed foods. She holds a PhD from ETH Zurich (2014) and a Certificate in Leadership from the University of Zurich (2020). Her teaching includes Multivariate Statistics and Food and Consumer Behavior at the master's level. Research projects include consumer perception of processed foods, virtual reality applications in food studies, and protein substitution strategies. Education: PhD in Consumer Behavior (ETH Zurich, 2014), MSc in Nutritional Science (Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany) Awards: Food Quality and Preference Award (2021), Recognized as advisory editor for Appetite journal Grants: Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) funding for 'Digital Lives' VR research Her lab employs interdisciplinary methods, including virtual reality simulations and behavioral experiments, to study food choices and sustainability. Current projects explore compensatory behaviors in dieting and cross-cultural disgust sensitivity.
Lopez Luciano serves as an Assistant Professor at EHL Hospitality Business School, part of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO) in Lausanne, Switzerland. His primary academic focus spans economics with specialized expertise in circular economy, sustainability, and hospitality management. He teaches core courses in Microeconomics and Macroeconomics to hospitality business students. Dr. Lopez holds a BSc HES-SO in Hospitality and Hospitality Professions from EHL Hospitality Business School. His educational background provides him with both theoretical and practical knowledge in the hospitality sector, which informs his research approach. His research interests center on the intersection of economic principles and sustainable business practices within the hospitality industry. Lopez investigates how circular economy principles can be effectively implemented in hotels beyond basic '3Rs' (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) practices. His work demonstrates that guests respond more positively to 'Rethink' and 'Redesign' approaches that fundamentally transform hotel processes and infrastructure. Additionally, he has made significant contributions to development economics, particularly examining the relationship between official development assistance (ODA) and tourism demand, as well as the economic returns on bilateral aid for donor countries like Switzerland. His econometric expertise is evident in his work on Granger causality in panel datasets and its application to economic growth and environmental impact analysis. Lopez's publication record shows consistent scholarly output with a focus on high-impact topics in hospitality economics. His recent work demonstrates a clear trajectory connecting economic theory with practical applications in sustainability and international development. The integration of econometric methods with hospitality management issues represents a distinctive feature of his research approach. Regarding academic mentorship, while specific students are not listed in available documentation, Lopez appears to be actively engaged in guiding research within his areas of expertise. His work with colleagues like Florent Girardin on circular economy in hospitality suggests collaborative supervision of research projects. Though specific grant information isn't provided, his research on Swiss ODA and tourism demand likely involved funded projects given the extensive data collection requirements. While no specific laboratories or research centers are explicitly mentioned, Lopez appears to be part of research teams focused on sustainable hospitality practices and economic development. His collaborations with researchers across different institutions suggest participation in broader research networks examining the economic dimensions of sustainability in the hospitality sector.
Prof. Dr. Björn Rasch is a Professor at the Department of Psychology, University of Fribourg, within the Faculty of Humanities. His research focuses on the interplay between sleep, memory consolidation, and cognitive processes. Key areas include sleep-dependent learning mechanisms, neural correlates of memory reactivation during sleep, and the impact of environmental factors (e.g., stress, media consumption) on sleep quality and cognitive performance. Education and academic background are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, but his extensive publication record indicates expertise in cognitive neuroscience and sleep research. His work spans experimental paradigms involving targeted memory reactivation, stress effects on sleep architecture, and translational applications such as wearable technologies for sleep interventions. Research interests prominently feature sleep’s role in memory processing, including declarative and emotional memory consolidation. He investigates how sleep stages (e.g., slow-wave sleep, REM sleep) modulate learning outcomes and how external stimuli (e.g., olfactory cues, auditory feedback) can enhance or disrupt these processes. His studies also address clinical implications, such as improving exposure therapy outcomes through sleep interventions. Recent articles highlight advancements in understanding sleep’s first-night effects, the efficacy of theta-tACS stimulation, and the design of olfactory wearables for targeted memory reactivation. His work bridges basic neuroscience with applied research, addressing real-world challenges like optimizing sleep for learning and mitigating stress-induced sleep disruption. No awards or grants are explicitly mentioned, but his prolific publication record and leadership in sleep research underscore significant contributions to the field. He collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and contributes to the department’s research groups in cognitive biopsychology and methods.
