Tanja Zimmermann

Tanja Zimmermann is the Director of Empa since June 2022 and holds a Professorship at the Department of Materials (D-MATL) within the School of Engineering (STI) at ETH Zurich/EPFL. She has held leadership roles at Empa, including Head of the Functional Materials Department (2017-2022) and Head of the Applied Wood Materials Laboratory (2011-2017). Her research spans biomimetic materials, cellulose-based nanotechnology, and sustainable systems.

Education:

• PhD from Empa/University of Hamburg (2002-2006)
• Master of Advanced Studies in Secondary and Higher Education, ETH Zurich (1997-2001)
• MSc in Wood Science and Technology, University of Hamburg (1987-1992)

Her research focuses on cellulose nanocomposites, biomimetic membranes and textiles, and resource-efficient manufacturing. She integrates nanoscale materials into sustainable applications, aligning with circular economy principles.

Scientific Awards & Memberships:

• Fellow of the International Academy of Wood Science
• Founding member of the Swiss Wood Innovation Network (S-WIN)
• Member of advisory boards for innovation parks, CSEM, and sustainability initiatives
• Active in organizations like the American Chemical Society and TAPPI

Zimmermann leads Empa's strategic focus on nanoscale manufacturing and materials for health applications. She previously established Empa's Cellulose Nanocomposites research group and contributes to biomedical imaging technologies and sustainable supply chains.