Dr. Lukas Frey is a Researcher at ETH Zurich, affiliated with the Chair of Physical Chemistry and the Institute of Molecular Physical Sciences (IMPS). His work focuses on biophysical studies of membrane proteins, lipid dynamics, and protein aggregation mechanisms. Key research areas include structural biology of ion channels, NMR spectroscopy of membrane proteins in nanodiscs, and the role of lipid environments in modulating protein dynamics. Frey employs advanced techniques like mass photometry and solid-state NMR to investigate molecular mechanisms in biological systems. His recent studies address amyloid fibril formation, pH-dependent α-synuclein polymorphism, and cholesterol-mediated modulation of membrane protein behavior. Based at the HCI F 228 facility in Zurich, Frey collaborates on projects involving lipid bilayer environments, ion channel function, and the structural basis of protein aggregation. His email is lukas.frey@phys.chem.ethz.ch, and he holds an ORCID identifier 0000-0002-1052-1104. Research contributions span from fundamental biophysical insights to methodological advancements in membrane protein analysis.
Nuri Yazdani is a Lecturer at the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at ETH Zürich, Switzerland. Based at the Institute for Electronics (Institut für Elektronik) in Zurich, Dr. Yazdani contributes to both teaching and research in advanced materials and nanotechnology. His work spans multiple interdisciplinary areas connecting physics, chemistry, and electrical engineering, with particular emphasis on nanocrystal-based materials and their applications in electronics and optoelectronics. Dr. Yazdani's research focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and application of nanomaterials, particularly semiconductor nanocrystals and quantum dots. His work explores the fundamental physical properties of these materials, including exciton-phonon interactions, structural ordering in multicomponent systems, and charge transport mechanisms in nanocrystal assemblies. He investigates how nanoscale phenomena affect macroscopic material properties, with applications ranging from catalysis to optoelectronic devices. His approach combines experimental techniques like small-angle X-ray scattering with theoretical modeling to understand structure-property relationships in nanomaterials. Analysis of Dr. Yazdani's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on perovskite and chalcogenide nanocrystals, with particular interest in how structural features like cation distribution, octahedral tilting, and surface chemistry affect optical and electronic properties. His work bridges fundamental physics with practical applications, spanning from quantum optics to energy conversion technologies. A recurring theme is the investigation of size-dependent phenomena and the role of phonons in determining material behavior at the nanoscale. Dr. Yazdani collaborates extensively with researchers across multiple institutions and disciplines, as evidenced by his authorship on numerous multi-investigator publications. His work appears in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Journal of the American Chemical Society, and Nature Physics, reflecting the significance and interdisciplinary nature of his contributions to nanoscience and nanotechnology.
Professor Stefan Goedecker is a distinguished faculty member in the Department of Physics at the University of Basel, Faculty of Science. He holds the position of Professor of Computational Physics and leads an active research group focused on developing advanced computational methods for materials science and quantum physics. Dr. Goedecker received his physics education at the Technical University Munich and the College of William and Mary, followed by a Ph.D. from EPFL Lausanne. His postdoctoral training included positions at Cornell University and the Max-Planck Institute in Stuttgart. In 2003, he was appointed Professor of Computational Physics at the University of Basel, where he has established himself as a leading researcher in computational methods development. His research interests center on computational physics with emphasis on electronic structure calculations, atomistic simulations, and the development of novel algorithms for materials science applications. His work has strong interdisciplinary connections spanning physics, mathematics, material sciences, chemistry, and computer science. Current research directions include machine learning applications in catalysis, fourth-generation neural network potentials for molecular chemistry, and methods for quantifying material synthesizability. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on advancing computational methods for electronic structure calculations, with particular emphasis on machine learning potentials, molecular dynamics optimization, and accurate modeling of material properties. His work bridges theoretical physics with practical applications in materials science and nanotechnology, with increasing integration of artificial intelligence techniques into traditional computational physics frameworks. Machine learning for Catalysis (Ongoing) Fourth-Generation Neural Network Potentials for Molecular Chemistry (Completed) Towards Quantifying the Synthesizability of Materials (Completed) Professor Goedecker's research group operates within the Department of Physics at the University of Basel, which is part of the NCCR SPIN initiative focused on silicon-based quantum computing development. The department hosts over 20 research groups with more than 180 teaching staff members, creating a vibrant research environment for computational physics and quantum technologies.
Prof. Jeroen Anton van Bokhoven is a Full Professor at ETH Zurich's Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences and Head of the Laboratory for Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry at Paul Scherrer Institute. His research focuses on establishing structure-performance relationships in heterogeneous catalysts to enable sustainable chemical processes through advanced catalyst design. Education: B.Sc. in Chemistry, Utrecht University (1995) Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis (with honours), Utrecht University (2000) Research Focus: Van Bokhoven's group pioneers operando characterization techniques, particularly X-ray absorption spectroscopy and scattering methods, to study catalysts under realistic reaction conditions. Key research thrusts include methane conversion to value-added products (methanol, methyl esters), zeolite catalysis for olefin production, and design of stable catalysts for high-temperature oxidation processes. His work bridges fundamental surface science with industrial applications in sustainable energy and chemical manufacturing. Scientific Recognition: Swiss Chemical Society Werner Prize (2008) Academic Leadership: Van Bokhoven leads a multidisciplinary research group spanning ETH Zurich and Paul Scherrer Institute, supervising doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers. His group maintains strategic partnerships with industrial catalyst manufacturers and operates specialized facilities for in situ spectroscopy at the Swiss Light Source synchrotron. Current projects address carbon dioxide utilization, biomass conversion, and fundamental mechanisms of catalyst deactivation. Research Infrastructure: The group leverages state-of-the-art capabilities at the Laboratory for Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry (PSI), including custom operando cells for XAS, XPS, and electron microscopy under reactive gas environments, enabling atomic-scale observation of catalytic transformations.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in LausanneSwitzerland
Alfredo Pasquarello is a Full Professor at the Chair of Atomic Scale Simulation within the Condensed Matter Theory Laboratory (CSEA) at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) . He teaches courses such as Computer Simulation of Physical Systems I and General Physics: Quanta . Education: Physics at Scuola Normale Superiore of Pisa (1986), University of Pisa (1986), PhD at EPFL (1991). Research: Focuses on atomic-scale simulations using density functional theory (DFT) and many-body perturbation to study defects in oxides , oxide-semiconductor interfaces , and energy materials like perovskites and photocatalysts. Recent Publications: 15 most recent articles (2022–2024) address band gaps, polarons, water splitting, and defect engineering in materials for photovoltaics and electrochemistry. Awards: Recipient of the EPFL Latsis Prize (1998) . Students: Supervised PhD/Master's students including Stefano Falletta, Thomas Bischoff, Patrick Gono, and Zhendong Guo. Labs: Leads the Chair of Atomic Scale Simulation at EPFL SB IPHYS CSEA.
Prof. Atac Imamoglu is a Full Professor at the Department of Physics and Deputy Head of the Institute for Quantum Electronics at ETH Zurich since 2002. His research focuses on quantum optics, condensed matter physics, and semiconductor systems, with notable contributions to exciton-polaritons, quantum Hall effects, and cavity quantum electrodynamics. He holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University (1991) and has been recognized with prestigious awards including Fellowships from the American Physical Society and Optical Society of America. Education: 1991 Ph.D., Stanford University 1987 M.S., Stanford University 1985 B.S., Middle East Technical University Research interests span quantum electronic systems, with emphasis on moiré heterostructures, excitonic interactions, and topological phenomena. Recent work explores Wigner crystals, Feshbach resonances in semiconductor bilayers, and optically tunable quantum confinement. Over 2300 citations highlight his impact in Physical Review Letters , Nature series journals, and specialized optics/physics journals. Awards: Member of Turkish National Academy of Sciences (2002) Wolfgang Paul Award (Alexander von Humboldt Foundation) TÜBİTAK Science Award (2001) Leadership roles include organizing workshops on quantum information and nonlinear optics, and editorial roles at Journal of Quantum Information and Optical Physics B . Active in theoretical/experimental collaborations, his lab develops novel quantum sensing techniques and explores cavity-enhanced phase transitions in 2D materials.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in LausanneSwitzerland
Anne-Sophie Chauvin is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), School of Basic Sciences, within the Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering and the Supramolecular Chemistry Laboratory. She actively engages in supramolecular and inorganic chemistry, focusing on f-element (lanthanides and actinides) coordination polymers and luminescent bioprobes for biological and technological applications, including invisible inks and dye-sensitized solar cells. PhD in Bioinorganic Chemistry from University Paris V-René Descartes (thesis on Nitrile Hydratase mimetics) Postdoctoral work at University of Geneva on chiral alcohol configuration analysis Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches (HDR) from University René Descartes (2006) Her research spans Lanthanide and Actinide Chemistry , Luminescence , Coordination Polymers , Metallacages , and Photovoltaic Materials . Recent publications emphasize catalytic spiro stereocenter formation, actinide coordination polymers, and photoredox-enabled biomolecule functionalization. She has supervised PhD students including Andrei Andreichenko , Julien Andrès , Steve Comby , and Aurélien Willauer . Recognitions include Fellowship of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) and membership in the Swiss Chemical Society (SCS). Current roles include teaching General and Analytical Chemistry to first-year Pharmacy and Biology students at the University of Lausanne (UNIL), overseeing practical sessions, and serving on the EPFL School of Basic Sciences Faculty Council.
Dr. Cosmin Ioan Roman is a Lecturer at the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering at ETH Zürich, affiliated with the Chair in Micro and Nanosystems since 2006. His research focuses on solid-state micro and nanotransducers, spanning from traditional Silicon micromachining to carbon nanotube-based (CNT) devices for bio-sensing applications, with an emphasis on energy-efficient transducer concepts. Doctoral Degree: National Polytechnic Institute of Grenoble (INPG) Roman's expertise lies in multi-physics and compact modeling of transducers. His work bridges materials science, semiconductor device physics, and biomedical sensing, utilizing advanced fabrication techniques for scalable sensor arrays on flexible substrates. The selected publications highlight his contributions to tactile sensing and cell rheology. His co-supervised doctoral thesis on carbon nanotube resonators demonstrates his interdisciplinary approach to nanoscale and biomedical systems.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in LausanneSwitzerland
Nicola Marzari is a Professor of Theory and Simulation of Materials at EPFL, where he also serves as Director of the National Centre for Computational Design and Discovery of Novel Materials (NCCD). He is Chairman of Psi-k, an international network for advanced materials' computational design. Previously, he held the Toyota Chair of Materials Engineering at MIT and leadership roles at the University of Oxford, including Director of the Materials Modeling Laboratory and a Statutory Chair in Materials Modeling. His education includes a Laurea in Physics (summa cum laude) from the University of Trieste, a PhD in Physics from the University of Cambridge under Prof. Michael C. Payne, and postdoctoral work at Rutgers University with Prof. David Vanderbilt. Marzari's research focuses on computational materials science, electronic structure theory, and high-throughput simulations. He develops methods for predicting material properties using first-principles approaches, machine learning, and quantum espresso software. Key areas include energy materials (batteries, thermoelectrics), magnetic materials, and optoelectronic systems. His work bridges fundamental physics and practical material design, emphasizing reproducible workflows and open-source tools like koopmans and AiiDA . His recent articles highlight advancements in machine learning for materials interfaces, dynamical Hubbard functionals, and thermal conductivity modeling. He actively contributes to EuroHPC initiatives for exascale materials design and OPTIMADE standards for materials data exchange. Marzari leads interdisciplinary teams at EPFL and collaborates globally on projects ranging from defect engineering in semiconductors to AI-driven materials discovery. His research aims to accelerate the development of sustainable energy and electronic technologies through computational innovation.
Prof. Jelena Klinovaja is a Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Basel, affiliated with the Philosophisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät. She holds leadership roles in research groups focusing on quantum theory of condensed matter, topological systems, and spin phenomena. Her career includes a PhD from the University of Basel (2012), a Harvard Fellowship (2013), and tenure as an assistant (2014) and associate professor (2019) before her current rank. She leads research on topological insulators, graphene, and Majorana fermions, with applications to topological quantum computing. Notable awards include the Swiss Physical Society Prize (2013) and an ERC Starting Grant (2017). Her work combines theoretical physics with experimental collaborations, particularly in nanowires and superconducting systems. She mentors students in the Honors Track program and contributes to interdisciplinary initiatives like NCCR SPIN. Education: Bachelor/Master from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (2007-2009); PhD in Theoretical Physics from University of Basel (2012). Research Interests: Topological effects in condensed matter, spintronics, quantum transport, Majorana fermions, and cavity quantum electrodynamics. Publications span over 50 peer-reviewed articles since 2012, focusing on topics like Josephson junctions, topological superconductivity, and hybrid systems. Her work bridges theoretical models with experimental realizations, emphasizing practical applications in quantum technologies. Awards: Swiss Physical Society Prize (2013), ERC Starting Grant (2017). Active in the scientific community, she collaborates with institutions worldwide and advises PhD students in quantum physics and nanoscience. Her research group also explores magnonic systems and topological materials engineering.
Dr. Matteo Fadel is a Researcher in the Department of Physics at the University of Basel, working in the Quantum Optics Lab led by Prof. Philipp Treutlein. He completed his PhD (2014-2018) and Postdoc (2018-2021) in the same group, focusing on quantum many-body systems, entanglement, and quantum metrology. His research explores foundational aspects of quantum physics using ultracold atoms and hybrid atom-optomechanical systems, with applications in quantum technologies like quantum memories and sensors. Education: B.Sc. Physics, University of Padua (2008-2011) M.Sc. Physics, ETH Zurich (2011-2013) Key Research Interests: Entanglement in macroscopic systems (e.g., Bose-Einstein condensates) Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen steering and quantum nonlocality Quantum memories and optical storage in atomic vapor cells Hybrid quantum systems (e.g., atom-mechanical oscillator coupling) Publications Highlight: Recent work includes observing the EPR paradox in two Bose-Einstein condensates (2023), developing microfabricated quantum memories (2024), and studying spin squeezing in helium-3 (2021). These contributions bridge fundamental quantum physics with technological applications. Awards: Prix Schläfli 2019 (Swiss Academy of Sciences) Contributor to Paul Ehrenfest Best Paper Award 2017 Teaching: Fadel has contributed to courses such as Physik IV, Quantum Optics I, and Introductory Computational Quantum Mechanics at the University of Basel.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in LausanneSwitzerland
Aurélien Bornet is a Lecturer at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in the School of Basic Sciences (SB), specifically within the Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC). He serves as the Platform Leader for the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Platform at EPFL, where he oversees advanced NMR facilities and research. Dr. Bornet's research focuses on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) techniques. His work spans several key areas including hyperpolarization methodologies, development of NMR instrumentation, and applications in both chemistry and biomedical fields. His research has led to significant advancements in dissolution DNP, long-lived nuclear spin states, and hyperpolarized metabolite imaging. His recent publication record demonstrates strong activity in developing new NMR techniques and applications, with particular emphasis on hyperpolarization methods that dramatically enhance NMR sensitivity. His work bridges fundamental physics with practical applications in medical imaging and materials science. The research outputs include numerous high-impact publications in journals like Nature Communications, Journal of the American Chemical Society, and Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, as well as several patents related to NMR technology. Dr. Bornet has received recognition through multiple patents for his innovations in NMR technology, including patents related to polarizing agents, dissolution DNP methods, and NMR instrumentation. His work has important implications for biomedical imaging, particularly in the development of hyperpolarized metabolic imaging for cancer diagnostics and other medical applications. As an educator, Dr. Bornet teaches courses on Basic and Advanced NMR at multiple levels (Level 1 A, Level 1 B, and Level 2) at EPFL and in Sion. His teaching focuses on both theoretical and experimental aspects of NMR, providing students with hands-on experience with modern NMR spectrometers. His academic journey includes completing his PhD at EPFL in 2015 with a thesis on hyperpolarized protons for enhancing NMR sensitivity, advised by G. Bodenhausen and S. Jannin. Prior to this, he completed earlier research on long-lived states as probes of protein stability in 2010 under the supervision of G. Bodenhausen and P. Vasos.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in LausanneSwitzerland
Michael Herbst is an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) at EPFL, holding a joint appointment in the School of Basic Sciences (SB) and the School of Engineering (STI). He leads the Mathematics for Materials Modelling (MatMat) research group, focusing on error control in atomistic simulations, density-functional theory (DFT), and interdisciplinary computational methods. His work bridges mathematics, materials science, and computer science, emphasizing robust algorithms and Julia-based software development. Herbst holds a PhD from Heidelberg University and has held postdoctoral positions at RWTH Aachen and Inria Paris. He is a core member of the MARVEL and CESMIX research centers. Education: 2018: Dr. rer. nat. (magna cum laude), Heidelberg University 2009–2013: BA and MSci (1st class) in Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge 2008–2009: Studies in Mathematics/Physics, TU Kaiserslautern Research Interests : Herbst's research centers on developing reliable computational methods for materials modeling, including error estimation in DFT, black-box SCF algorithms, and Julia-based tools like the Density-Functional Toolkit (DFTK). His work addresses challenges in high-throughput simulations, numerical stability, and interdisciplinary collaboration across mathematics, physics, and computer science. Grants & Projects : MARVEL Center for Computational Design (EPFL) CESMIX Center for Extreme-Scale Simulations (MIT) EMC² Project (Sorbonne/Inria/École des Ponts) Awards : HGS MathComp PostDoc Fellowship (2018–2021) DAAD Travel Funding (2018) Exploratory Research Space Fund (RWTH Aachen, 2022) Labs & Teams : Head of the MatMat group at EPFL, focusing on error-controlled simulations and open-source software development.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in LausanneSwitzerland
Pasquale Scarlino is a Tenure Track Assistant Professor in the Institute of Physics at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where he founded and leads the Hybrid Quantum Circuits (HQC) Laboratory. He holds a dual appointment with the School of Basic Sciences (SB) and the Physics Section (SB-SPH), conducting research at the intersection of semiconductor and superconducting quantum technologies. His laboratory develops hybrid quantum hardware for advanced quantum information processing. His educational background includes a Master's degree in Physics from the University of Salento (Italy, 2011), where he was a student of Scuola Superiore ISUFI, followed by a Ph.D. from TU Delft (2016) in the Spin Qubits group of Prof. L.M.K. Vandersypen at the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience-Qutech. His doctoral work focused on Si/SiGe spin qubits in collaboration with the M. Eriksson Group at Wisconsin University. Scarlino's research centers on experimental quantum physics using hybrid superconductor/semiconductor devices with electrostatically defined quantum dots coupled to high-impedance microwave resonators. He investigates light-matter interactions in unconventional regimes, quantum transport in low-dimensional systems, and spin/charge qubit implementations. His work aims to merge semiconductor and superconducting platforms to expand quantum information capabilities, with applications in quantum computing, quantum optics, and analog quantum simulation. Early career achievements include establishing the first coherent interface between superconducting and semiconducting quantum systems using high-impedance resonators. His publication record shows strong focus on microwave photon-mediated interactions between quantum systems, with recent work exploring quantum acoustics, topological band engineering, and criticality-enhanced sensing. The articles demonstrate increasing specialization in hybrid quantum hardware, with a shift toward germanium-based systems and advanced resonator designs in the latest publications. Scarlino has advised eleven Ph.D. students at EPFL and teaches courses including General Physics (Electromagnetism), Solid State Systems for Quantum Information, and Introduction to Quantum Science and Technology. His teaching emphasizes experimental quantum hardware approaches and critical assessment of quantum computing platforms. The Hybrid Quantum Circuits Laboratory operates within EPFL's Institute of Physics, utilizing state-of-the-art nanofabrication facilities and cryogenic measurement setups. The team collaborates extensively with leading quantum research groups worldwide, maintaining strong ties with previous institutions including ETH Zurich, TU Delft, and Microsoft Station Q Copenhagen.
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in LausanneSwitzerland
Aleksandra Radenovic is a Full Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) holding multiple positions across the institution. She is a Full Professor at the Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology (LBEN) within the School of Engineering (STI), a Full Professor in Teaching at the School of Life Sciences (SV), and a Full Professor in Teaching at the School of Engineering (STI). Additionally, she serves as Co-Director of both the IBI-STI and IBI-SV administrative units, and is a Member of both the STI School direction and SV School direction. Dr. Radenovic received her PhD from the University of Lausanne in 2003, where she worked with Prof. Dietler in the Laboratory of Physics of Living Matter. Prior to that, she studied physics at the University of Zagreb from 1994-1999, and completed her baccalaureate at a Classical gymnasium in 1994. She conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley from 2004-2007 in the group of Prof. Liphardt. Her research focuses on single molecule biophysics, with particular emphasis on developing techniques and methodologies based on optical imaging, biosensing, and single molecule manipulation. Her laboratory works on three major research directions: (i) developing and using nanopores as platforms for molecular sensing and manipulation, particularly solid-state nanopores in glass nanocapillaries and 2D-material membranes; (ii) studying biomolecular function, especially protein and nucleic acid interactions, using force-based manipulation techniques like optical tweezers and Anti-Brownian Electrokinetic traps; and (iii) developing super-resolution optical microscopy based on single molecule localizations for quantitative cellular imaging. Her work bridges physics, engineering, and biology to create innovative tools for understanding molecular processes at the nanoscale. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on nanofluidics, 2D materials (particularly MoS 2 and hBN), nanopore sensing, super-resolution microscopy, and the development of novel instrumentation for biophysical applications. Her research demonstrates increasing interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating materials science, nanotechnology, and biological applications to address fundamental questions in molecular biophysics. Dr. Radenovic has received numerous prestigious awards and grants, including: 2021: ERC Advanced Grant 2021: Optica Fellow 2016: CCMX Materials challenge award 2015: SNSF-ERC Consolidator Grant 2010: ERC Starting Grant 2003: SNSF Fellowship She has successfully advised numerous PhD students whose research spans single molecule biophysics, nanofluidics, and optical techniques. Her laboratory, the Laboratory of Nanoscale Biology (LBEN), is well-equipped for advanced biophysical research, with capabilities in nanopore fabrication, optical trapping, super-resolution microscopy, and 2D materials characterization. Dr. Radenovic has secured significant research funding through competitive grants, including multiple ERC grants, which have supported her innovative research program at the intersection of physics, engineering, and biology.
