Viola Vogel

Prof. Dr. Dr. hc. Viola Vogel is a Full Professor at ETH Zurich's Department of Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST), leading the Laboratory of Applied Mechanobiology. She holds dual doctorates and honorary degrees, with expertise spanning biophysics, nanotechnology, and biomedical engineering. Trained at Frankfurt University and the Max-Planck Institute, she joined ETH in 2004 after roles at the University of Washington, including founding their Center for Nanotechnology. Her research focuses on mechanobiology, particularly how mechanical forces regulate protein and cellular functions, with applications in regenerative medicine and cancer therapy.

Key contributions include discovering proteins as mechano-chemical switches and translating these findings into clinical solutions. Vogel chairs D-HEST (2018–2020) and is a core member of the Wyss Translational Center Zurich. Her honors include NAS membership (2021), NAE (2020), and the Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowship (2023). Her interdisciplinary work bridges physics, biology, and engineering, addressing global health challenges through mechanobiology-driven innovations.

• Education: PhD in Physics (Frankfurt University), Postdoc at UC Berkeley, Graduate Research at Max-Planck Institute.
• Research: Pioneering studies on protein mechanochemistry, extracellular matrix dynamics, and nanotechnology in healthcare.
• Awards: Over 15 major awards, including the ERC Advanced Grant and NAS membership.
• Grants/Advisory Roles: ERC funding, leadership in global health initiatives, and board memberships in prestigious institutions.

Her lab’s recent work highlights mechanobiology’s role in tumor microenvironments, immune cell behavior, and tissue regeneration. Collaborations with hospitals and industry ensure translational impact, exemplified by startups like Tandem Therapeutics.