Leonardo Pollina is a Researcher and Doctoral Assistant at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) , affiliated with the School of Engineering (STI) and the Translational Neuroengineering (TNE) group under the Bertarelli Foundation Chair. He is also a PhD Student Representative in the Electrical Engineering program and a member of the Doctoral Program in Electrical Engineering (EDEE). His research focuses on neural engineering, biomedical engineering, and robotics, particularly in areas like motor control decoding, neuroprosthetics, and human-robot interaction. Education: Doctoral Program in Electrical Engineering (EPFL) PhD Student Representative, EDEE-GE (EPFL) Research Interests: Development of neural interfaces for motor augmentation and neuroprosthetics Decoding neural signals from ECoG, EEG, and intraneural electrodes Machine learning applications in biomedical signal processing Clinical translation of neuroengineering solutions for spinal cord injury and organ function monitoring Articles Trends: Focus on bridging neural signals (EEG/ECoG/intraneural) to actionable control systems Explores both fundamental neuroscience and translational engineering solutions Utilizes machine learning for signal classification and proportional control Affiliations & Roles: Labs: TNE Group at EPFL Campus Biotech Office locations: B3 4 243.134 and B3 4 233.134 Representative role in doctoral governance (EDEE-GE committee)
Henning Stahlberg is a Full Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in the School of Basic Sciences, Institute of Physics, and also holds a Professor ad personam position at the University of Lausanne in the Department of Fundamental Microbiology, School of Medicine and Biology. He leads the Laboratory of Biological Electron Microscopy (LBEM), a joint research unit of EPFL and UNIL, and serves as Academic Director of the Dubochet Center for Imaging. He previously held leadership roles at the University of Basel and UC Davis. PhD in Chemistry, EPFL (1997) Habilitation in Structural Biology, University of Basel (2002) Diploma in Solid State Physics, Technical University of Berlin (1993) His research centers on high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy to study neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Multiple System Atrophy, with a focus on alpha-synuclein fibrils and Lewy pathology. He also pioneers advancements in electron microscopy technology, including 4D-STEM ptychography, automated data analysis software (2dx, FOCUS, DYNAMO), and microfluidic sample preparation (CryoWrite). His work integrates physics, biology, and engineering to push the limits of structural imaging. The most recent publications highlight innovations in low-dose cryo-ptychography, microfluidic isolation of proteins, and atomic-level structures of disease-related fibrils. His research spans from fundamental biophysics to clinical neuropathology, using multimodal imaging techniques like correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) and cryogenic X-ray nanotomography. He has developed widely used software tools that automate and streamline cryo-EM data processing workflows. Henning Stahlberg mentors several PhD students and has supervised multiple doctoral theses at EPFL. His leadership extends to directing major imaging centers and fostering collaborations across physics, medicine, and bioengineering. He is actively involved in teaching courses such as 'Physics of Life' and practical lab instruction. His lab has developed key technologies now commercialized through CryoWrite AG, and he continues to lead cutting-edge research in structural biology and imaging instrumentation. The group is supported by both EPFL and the University of Lausanne, reflecting its interdisciplinary nature.
Lucas Louis Gruaz is a Doctoral Assistant at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with both the School of Computer and Communication Sciences (IC) and the School of Life Sciences (SV). He is pursuing his Doctoral Program in Computer and Communication Sciences under the EDIC doctoral school. His work is conducted within the Computational Neuroscience Laboratory (LCN), a leading interdisciplinary research group at EPFL focused on understanding neural computation and brain-inspired systems. His research lies at the intersection of computer science and neuroscience. Key areas of interest include computational neuroscience, machine learning, neural modeling, brain-machine interfaces, and neuroengineering. The lab employs theoretical, computational, and experimental approaches to unravel principles of neural information processing. While no scientific awards or publications are listed in the provided text, Lucas is actively contributing to ongoing research within the LCN. His role as a Doctoral Assistant involves both research and academic responsibilities. He is part of a vibrant research team advancing knowledge in neural systems and artificial intelligence. The Computational Neuroscience Laboratory (LCN) fosters a collaborative environment integrating expertise from engineering, computer science, physics, and biology to explore the computational foundations of brain function and develop novel neurotechnologies.
Dimitri Van De Ville is a Full Professor of Bioengineering at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and the University of Geneva (UniGE), affiliated with the School of Engineering at EPFL and the Faculty of Medicine at UniGE. He leads the Medical Image Processing Laboratory (MIP:Lab) at Campus Biotech in Geneva and is a key figure at the CIBM Center for Biomedical Imaging. His work bridges signal processing, computational neuroscience, and clinical neuroimaging. Education: M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science, Ghent University, Belgium (1998, 2002) Post-doctoral Fellow, Biomedical Imaging Group, EPFL (2002–2005) His research focuses on advancing non-invasive brain imaging through methodological innovations in signal and image processing. He investigates the dynamic and network aspects of brain function using fMRI and EEG, with a special emphasis on dynamic functional connectivity, graph signal processing, and real-time neurofeedback. His work has demonstrated that EEG microstate sequences exhibit scale-free dynamics, linking fast electrophysiological events to slow hemodynamic changes. He pioneered connectivity decoding and contributed to the development of sparsity-based deconvolution methods for fMRI. The recent articles reflect a strong trend toward modeling brain function as a dynamic network process. Key themes include graph signal processing on brain connectomes, decomposition of transient brain activity, and the use of machine learning to decode brain states. His work increasingly integrates structural and functional data to understand brain organization at multiple scales. Scientific Awards: Technical Achievement Award, IEEE EMBS (2024) Fellow, EURASIP (2023) Distinguished Lecturer, IEEE Signal Processing Society (2021–2022) Fellow, IEEE (2020) Leenaards Award (2016) NARSAD Independent Investigator Award (2014) NeuroImage Editors' Choice Award (2013) Pfizer Research Award (2012) Van De Ville has secured substantial research funding through grants such as the SNSF Professorship and has advised numerous researchers. He plays a major role in the scientific community as founding chair of the EURASIP BISA SAT and former chair of the IEEE BISP TC. He has held editorial roles in top journals including IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing , SIAM Journal on Imaging Sciences , and Imaging Neuroscience . He leads the Medical Image Processing Laboratory (MIP:Lab) at Campus Biotech, which specializes in developing advanced signal processing tools for neuroimaging. The lab is part of a broader collaborative ecosystem involving EPFL, UniGE, and the CIBM, fostering interdisciplinary research in biomedical imaging and brain science.
Friedhelm Christoph Hummel is a Full Professor and Defitech Chair of Clinical Neuroengineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology EPFL, where he leads the Hummel Lab within the Brain Mind Institute and Neuro X Institute. His research spans neuroscience, neuroengineering, and neurorehabilitation with a focus on developing neurotechnological interventions for neurological disorders. He maintains dual institutional affiliations with EPFL's Campus Biotech in Geneva and the Clinique Romande de Réadaptation in Sion. Professor Hummel's research interests center on stroke recovery, healthy aging, motor control and learning, cognitive control, neuroplasticity, non-invasive brain stimulation techniques, and structural and functional neuroimaging. His work integrates knowledge from basic, systems, clinical, and computational neuroscience with engineering principles to develop novel methods for clinical application in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. A key focus is the development of personalized, neurotechnological interventions tailored to individuals to enhance functional recovery of sensorimotor and cognitive functions following neurological disorders such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, or neurodegenerative conditions. His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on transcranial temporal interference stimulation (TTIS) as a groundbreaking approach for non-invasive deep brain neuromodulation, with applications extending beyond movement disorders. His research demonstrates how non-invasive brain stimulation can improve motor skill learning, spatial navigation, and cognitive functions in both healthy participants and patient populations. The work integrates advanced brain imaging techniques, computational modeling, and robotics to develop precision neurorehabilitation approaches. Professor Hummel was awarded the prestigious 2024 Fürst Donnersmarck Research Prize for Neurorehabilitation, recognizing his transformative research published in Nature Neuroscience (2023) that demonstrated how non-invasive brain stimulation can improve motor skill learning in humans for the first time. This work particularly highlighted the ability to target deep brain structures like the striatum using transcranial temporal interference stimulation. He supervises numerous PhD students both current and past, including Cadet De Fontenay Paul, Di Ponzio Michele, Jones Rebecca, Losacco Simona, Lugli Beatrice, Paul Thomas, Ploumitsakou Maria, Protani Andrea, Skarvelaki Stavroula, Windel Fabienne, Beanato Elena, Bevilacqua Michele, Bigoni Claudia, Brügger Julia, Cadic-Melchior Andéol, Draaisma Laurijn, Durand-Ruel Manon, Evangelista Giorgia, Maceira Elvira Pablo, Salamanca Giron Roberto, and Vassiliadis Pierre. His research is supported by multiple grants and collaborative projects including the DiSCoVeR project examining cognitive control video games paired with tDCS for depression treatment. The Hummel Lab is a dynamic research environment focused on translating neuroscientific discoveries into clinical applications. The lab combines virtual reality, non-invasive brain stimulation, advanced brain imaging techniques, and computational approaches to develop personalized therapies. Recent work includes groundbreaking research on spatial navigation in healthy participants using virtual reality and transcranial temporal interference stimulation, with implications for addressing dementia in aging populations without medication or surgery.
Daniel Thalmann is a distinguished Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), specifically within the School of Computer and Communication Sciences and the Institute of Computer Science. As a current EPFL member, he leads the Virtual Reality Laboratory (VRLAB) and has established himself as a pioneer in virtual reality research with decades of international leadership in the field. His academic contributions span numerous publications, including the influential book "Stepping into Virtual Reality" (2023), which serves as both a textbook and reference for VR applications. Professor Thalmann's research interests encompass a broad spectrum of virtual reality and related technologies, with particular emphasis on computer animation, crowd simulation, virtual humans, and human-computer interaction. His work demonstrates exceptional depth in understanding how virtual environments can be designed to interact naturally with users, simulate complex social scenarios, and extend human capabilities through immersive technologies. He has made significant contributions to the theoretical foundations of VR while maintaining strong practical applications across various domains. The most recent publications reveal a clear progression in Thalmann's research trajectory, moving from core VR technologies toward increasingly sophisticated applications that integrate artificial intelligence, multi-sensory experiences, and real-world problem solving. His work now spans health sciences applications, brain-computer interfaces, sensory systems including smell and taste simulation, and the architectural foundations of the metaverse. This evolution demonstrates both continuity in his core expertise and strategic expansion into emerging application areas where virtual reality can have transformative impact. Through the Virtual Reality Laboratory at EPFL, Professor Thalmann has fostered numerous collaborations across disciplines and institutions, contributing significantly to the global VR research community. His leadership extends to organizing major international conferences including the Computer Graphics International (CGI) and Computer Animation and Social Agents (CASA) events, where he has served as editor and contributor to multiple proceedings volumes. The laboratory continues to advance research in social robotics, virtual humans, and immersive environments, with applications ranging from healthcare to cultural heritage preservation.
Fares J. Abu-Dakka is an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Program at New York University Abu Dhabi, where he joined in September 2024. Previously, he served as a Lecturer and Researcher in the Faculty of Engineering - Electronic and Informatic Department at Mondragon Unibertsitatea (2023-2024) and as a Senior Scientist and Leader for the Robot Learning Group at the Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence, Technische Universität München (2022-2023). His research focuses on advancing robotic manipulation through the integration of control theory, differential geometry, and machine learning, with particular emphasis on enhancing robotic systems' performance, adaptability, and safety. Dr. Abu-Dakka explores how advanced mathematical frameworks and intelligent algorithms can empower robots to interact more effectively with complex environments, with applications spanning industrial automation, prosthetics, and human-robot collaboration. His recent publications demonstrate expertise in geometry-aware motion planning, variable impedance control, safe execution of robotic skills, and human-robot skill benchmarking. He has organized multiple workshops at major robotics conferences including IROS and ECC, focusing on formal methods in robotics systems, certified control synthesis, and variable impedance learning and control. IEEE Senior Member (2024) Member of the ELLIS Society e.V (2024) Dr. Abu-Dakka actively contributes to the robotics community through workshop organization and collaborative research, with recent work examining AI-driven intent detection, neural interfaces, sensory feedback systems for prosthetics, and certified control synthesis with rigorous safety guarantees. His research bridges theoretical control methods with practical robotic applications, emphasizing mathematical rigor while addressing real-world implementation challenges.
Isabelle Guyon is a Full Professor at University Paris-Saclay and a Research Scientist at Google DeepMind since 2022. She is also a community lead for the open-source Codalab competitions project and President of ChaLearn, a non-profit organizing machine learning challenges. Her career spans academia, industry, and non-profit leadership, with affiliations at INRIA and the LISN laboratory. PhD in Paris under Gerard Dreyfus and Leon Personnaz Bell Labs researcher (1990s) Graduate of ESPCI Her research focuses on machine learning challenges and benchmarks across diverse domains including causality , computer vision , deep learning , and high energy physics . Recent projects explore power grid optimization , LLM-assisted paper reviewing , and systematic bias mitigation in AI applications. Key awards include the BBVA Frontier in Knowledge Award (2020), ICMI Ten-Year Impact Award (2023), and IEEE Best Paper Award (2023). She is also an ELLISS fellow and AMIA fellow .
Giovanni Chiarion is a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Biomedical Imaging (CIBM), affiliated with the Electrical Neuroimaging Section of CHUV-UNIL. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Padua and Master’s/Ph.D. degrees in Biomedical Engineering from Politecnico di Torino. Education: University of Padua (B.Sc.), Politecnico di Torino (M.Sc., Ph.D.) His research spans Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) development for motor-impaired patients, multi-scale neuronal connectivity analysis using EEG and in vitro networks, and spike sorting algorithm optimization for overlapping neural signals. Current work investigates pupillometric responses to auditory surprise and regularity violation detection. Scientific contributions include a grant-funded BCI project combining sensorimotor rhythms with pupillometric methods, and innovations in resolving overlapping spike waveforms for synchronized neuronal activity studies. Key award: University of Torino research grant for binary response BCI system
Tomas Ros serves as Senior Lecturer at the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Geneva, and Research Staff Scientist at the Center for Biomedical Imaging (CIBM) within the EEG HUG-UNIGE Clinical and Translational Neuroimaging Section under Prof. Serge Vulliémoz. His career bridges physics, neuroscience, and clinical applications with focus on translational neuroimaging. His academic foundation includes: BSc in Physics from Imperial College of Science and Technology (London, UK) MSc in Neuroscience from Louis Pasteur University (Strasbourg, France) PhD in Psychology from Goldsmiths College, University of London (2010) Dr. Ros pioneered research in EEG neurofeedback , discovering immediate post-session brain changes during his doctoral work. His expertise spans psychiatric applications (PTSD, ADHD) and neurological rehabilitation (post-stroke), utilizing advanced signal processing within brain-computer interface frameworks. Current work focuses on methodological refinement of neurofeedback protocols for clinical deployment, emphasizing cross-disciplinary integration of engineering and medicine. His scientific recognition includes the Brain Star Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research for PTSD neurofeedback research. As Principal Investigator of a Swiss National Science Foundation grant, he leads methodological development of EEG neurofeedback for psychiatric/neurological conditions. Prior funding includes Leenards Foundation support for stroke rehabilitation and Synapsy NCCR program involvement for ADHD studies. At CIBM, he contributes to the Clinical and Translational Neuroimaging Section's mission of advancing 7T MRI and EEG technologies for clinical neuroscience, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to translate neuroimaging innovations into therapeutic applications.
Roger Gassert is a Full Professor of Rehabilitation Engineering at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich . He holds an M.Sc. in microengineering and a Ph.D. in neuroscience robotics from EPFL, Switzerland, and conducted research at ATR Computational Neuroscience Laboratories in Japan. Research focus: Physical human-robot interaction Specialization: Medical robotics and haptics Innovations: MRI-compatible haptic interfaces and assistive technologies His work bridges robotics with neurorehabilitation for stroke, spinal cord injury, and Parkinson’s disease. Recent publications highlight advancements in: Clinical neuroimaging and body ownership studies Closed-loop biofeedback systems Wearable exoskeletons via co-founded Auxivo AG Scientific recognition includes: IEEE Senior Member (2013) BCI Research Award Finalist (2011) Best Paper Awards at IROS and ICORR Swiss National Science Foundation fellowships Leadership roles: Vice President, CYBATHLON strategic board President, Access for all foundation Advisory board member, Swiss Paraplegic Foundation’s IAT
Petra Vetter is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences, University of Fribourg. Her research focuses on multisensory integration, spatial cognition, and perceptual psychology, particularly investigating how auditory and tactile information guides visual perception and motor actions in congenitally blind individuals and sighted populations. Email: petra.vetter@unifr.ch Office: RM 02 bu. S-1.141, Rue P.A. de Faucigny 2 ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6516-4637 Research interests: Cognitive neuroscience research examining cross-modal perception, predictive coding in visual cortex, sensory substitution, and the role of semantic congruence in perceptual processing. Current projects include Mapping Space in the Blind Brain (2024-2029) using 7 Tesla fMRI and TMS to investigate spatial representation mechanisms, and How audition enhances visual perception and guides eye-movements (2020-2025) studying semantic sound influences on visual processing and eye movements. Recent publications demonstrate expertise in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and auditory-visual integration, with articles in Cognition , Current Biology , and Nature Reviews Psychology . Research applications include developing visual prostheses, improving sensory substitution devices, and optimizing multimedia environments.
Giacomo Indiveri is a Full Professor at the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, University of Zurich. His research focuses on Neuroinformatics and Neuromorphic Engineering, bridging neuroscience with information technology. Courses Taught: 227-1031-00L Journal Club (University of Zurich) 227-1033-00L Neuromorphic Engineering I 227-1037-00L Introduction to Neuroinformatics 227-1039-00L Basics of Instrumentation, Measurement, and Analysis (University of Zurich) 227-1045-00L Readings in Neuroinformatics 1 (University of Zurich) Contact Information: Email: giacomo@ethz.ch | Phone: +41 44 635 30 39 | Address: Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
James Priestley is a Researcher and Lecturer at EPFL, leading the Priestley Lab within the School of Basic Sciences (SB) and the Institute of Bioengineering (BMI). He holds dual roles: Scientist in the GR-PRIESTLEY group and Lecturer in the SSV-ENS teaching unit. His lab focuses on the neurobiology of memory, particularly episodic memory formation via hippocampal-cortical circuits in behaving mice. Research combines large-scale neural recordings, virtual reality, and computational modeling to bridge biological and artificial neural network dynamics. Research interests span hippocampal representations of space and time, plasticity mechanisms underlying memory, and real-time neural decoding. The lab collaborates with the EPFL neuroscience doctoral school (EDNE), supervising PhD students Margaret Lane, Daniel Molinuevo, and Olivier Ulrich. Funding includes the ELISIR Scholarship, EPFL Life Science Independent Research Program, and the Fondation Marina Cuennet-Mauvernay. Teaching responsibilities include courses in life sciences engineering. The Priestley Lab is located in AAB 1 37, Lausanne, with active projects on closed-loop neural interfaces and behavioral experiments using virtual reality. Student opportunities include semester projects on real-time neural decoding and video game-based cognitive experiments.
Ricardo Chavarriaga is a Research Professor and Group Leader of the Responsible AI Innovation Group at the ZHAW School of Engineering in Winterthur, Switzerland. He also serves as Head of the CLAIRE Office Zürich and chairs the IEEE Standards Association group on Neurotechnologies for Brain-Machine Interface. His roles include leadership in AI ethics, neurotechnology governance, and translational research. Education: Ph.D. in Computational Neuroscience from EPFL (2005), B.Sc. in Electronics Engineering from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (1998). Additional certifications include a CAS in Biotech Venture Management (2019) and PMP certification (2019). Research focuses on neurotechnologies, brain-machine interfaces, and AI ethics. He leads projects like certAInty (AI certification), AI-BRIDGE (responsible AI think-tank), and brain data governance initiatives. His work bridges technical innovation with societal implications, emphasizing standards and global policy frameworks. Key contributions include over 40 peer-reviewed articles, IEEE standards development, and advisory roles at international organizations like the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. Awards include the 2021 DIZH Fellowship for digital innovation. Active in academia and industry collaborations, he teaches reinforcement learning and machine intelligence at both BSc and MSc levels. Engages globally through conferences, policy workshops, and public lectures on AI governance and neurotechnology risks.
