Pavan Ramdya

Prof. Pavan Ramdya, the DSM-Firmenich Next Generation Chair in Neuroscience at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), leads the Neuroengineering Laboratory. His research focuses on reverse-engineering biological intelligence in Drosophila melanogaster to inspire neuroprosthetics, robotics, and AI. He holds a PhD in Neurobiology from Harvard University and completed postdoctoral training in robotics (EPFL), neurogenetics (UNIL), and bioengineering (Caltech).

• University: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
• School: School of Life Sciences
• Academic Rank: Professor

His lab employs computational, engineering, genetic, and microscopy approaches to study neural population dynamics, biomechanics, and gene expression in limb-dependent behaviors. Key research trends from his publications include neuromechanical modeling of Drosophila, sensory-motor integration, and AI-robotics synergy for biological discovery.

• HFSP Career Development Award
• Swiss National Science Foundation Eccellenza Grant
• UNIL Young Investigator Award in Basic Science
• FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence member

The lab mentors doctoral researchers such as Sibo Wang, Victor Stimpfling, and Femke Hurtak, alongside postdoctoral fellows like Jasper Phelps and alumni including Victor Lobato Rios. Collaborations span robotics (Auke Ijspeert), microrobotics (Sakar), and computational imaging (Fua).