Prof. Dr. Stefan Schmid serves as Professor and Head of the Spinal Movement Biomechanics Group at Bern University of Applied Sciences' School of Health Professions. He is also Deputy Head of Research at the Division of Physiotherapy and a Privatdozent at the University of Basel. PhD in Biomechanics (ETH Zurich, 2016) Habilitation in Experimental Medicine (University of Basel, 2021) His research focuses on spinal biomechanics, musculoskeletal modeling, and movement analysis, particularly for: Low back pain mechanisms Scoliosis treatment optimization Workplace ergonomics Machine learning applications in biomechanics Recent publications emphasize: Spinal movement pattern quantification Pain-related fear analysis Computational spine modeling Wearable sensor validation He leads multiple funded projects including: ScolioGroMod (SNSF-funded spinal growth modeling) LBPredict (AI-based lifting risk assessment) International collaborations with Harvard Medical School and Polytechnique Montréal
Aleksey Tetenov is a Full Professor at the Institute of Economics and Econometrics, University of Geneva, where he also serves as Director of a Research Institute. Holding a Ph.D. from Northwestern University, Professor Tetenov maintains an active research program at the intersection of econometrics, statistical decision theory, and treatment choice methodology. Professor Tetenov's research focuses on developing statistical frameworks for optimal decision-making under uncertainty, with particular applications in medical treatment choice, clinical trial design, and policy evaluation. His work bridges theoretical statistical decision theory with practical applications in healthcare and economics, addressing questions of how to make optimal treatment decisions based on experimental evidence and how to design trials that yield actionable results. His publications reveal a consistent research trajectory examining statistical decision properties, welfare maximization methods, and treatment choice frameworks. Professor Tetenov frequently collaborates with leading scholars including Charles F. Manski and Toru Kitagawa, producing influential work published in top journals such as Econometrica, Journal of Econometrics, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Professor Tetenov has received recognition for his contributions to statistical decision theory and its applications, with his work on empirical welfare maximization methods for treatment choice representing a significant advancement in the field. His research has practical implications for clinical guidelines, medical decision-making, and evidence-based policy formation. As an educator, Professor Tetenov teaches courses in Applied Econometrics, Applied Economics Workshop, and Econometrics at the executive level, sharing his expertise in statistical methods and decision theory with advanced students.
Jonathan Berant is an Associate Professor at the Blavatnik School of Computer Science, Tel-Aviv University, and a Research Scientist at the Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence. Currently on leave of absence at Google (based in Seattle) until summer 2026, he has established himself as a leading researcher in Natural Language Processing with significant contributions to semantic parsing, question answering, and weak supervision techniques. His research focuses on Natural Language Understanding problems including Semantic Parsing, Question Answering, Paraphrasing, Reading Comprehension, and Textual Entailment, with particular interest in learning from weak supervision that is easy to obtain and grounded in the world, as well as tasks requiring multi-step inference or handling of language compositionality. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical applications in language understanding systems. Berant's recent publications demonstrate strong trends in language model alignment, robustness, and reasoning capabilities, with significant contributions to understanding how language models process information and how to make them more reliable. His work spans from fundamental NLP tasks to addressing critical challenges in modern large language models. Senior area chair outstanding paper award (NAACL 2025) Outstanding paper award (ICLR 2024) Spotlight talk (NeurIPS 2023) Spotlight talk (3% of submissions) (NeurIPS 2022) Oral presentation (NeurIPS 2021) Berant has advised numerous PhD and Master's students who have gone on to positions at leading AI companies and research institutions including Google, AI21, Allen Institute for AI, and academic programs. His teaching includes advanced NLP courses and research seminars at Tel-Aviv University. His educational background includes a Ph.D. from Tel-Aviv University (2006-12) with advisors Ido Dagan, Jacob Goldberger, and Eytan Ruppin, followed by postdoctoral work at Stanford University with Percy Liang and Chris Manning, and at Google Mountain View.
Prof. Wouter M. Koolen serves as Professor of Mathematical Machine Learning in the Statistics group at the University of Twente and as Senior Researcher in the Machine Learning group at Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI). He maintains active research affiliations with INRIA-CWI associate teams 6PAC (with Inria Lille) and 4TUNE (with Inria Paris and Grenoble), and holds the distinction of ELLIS Scholar. Dr. Koolen earned both his MSc and PhD cum laude from the Institute of Logic, Language and Computation at the University of Amsterdam, completing his doctoral work titled 'Combining Strategies Efficiently: High-quality Decisions from Conflicting Advice' in January 2011. His academic journey includes being designated a Master of Logic. Prof. Koolen's research spans theoretical machine learning with deep connections to game theory, information theory, statistics, and optimization. His current work focuses on pure exploration in multi-armed bandit models, game tree search algorithms, and provably accelerated learning methods in statistical and individual-sequence settings, which he characterizes as 'learning faster from easy data.' His theoretical contributions consistently demonstrate practical relevance in sequential decision making and statistical inference. Analysis of his recent publications reveals three dominant research threads: martingale-based methods for anytime-valid statistical inference using e-values, adaptive optimization algorithms with provable guarantees, and theoretical foundations of multi-armed bandit problems. His work increasingly bridges theoretical computer science with modern statistical methodology, particularly in sequential analysis and adaptive experimentation. His notable achievements include: NWO VENI grant for innovative research QUT Vice-Chancellor's postdoctoral research fellowship Designation as ELLIS Scholar recognizing European research excellence cum laude distinctions for both master's and doctoral degrees Prof. Koolen actively mentors the next generation of researchers, having supervised multiple PhD students to completion including Hongwei Wen, Clément Lezane, and Tyron Lardy with defenses scheduled for 2025. His research program is supported by competitive grants focusing on theoretical machine learning and statistical methodology. He maintains an active presence in the international research community through conference presentations, workshop organization, and collaborations across European institutions. Within the Machine Learning group at CWI and Statistics group at the University of Twente, Prof. Koolen contributes to a dynamic research environment focused on theoretical foundations with practical applications. His work often intersects with colleagues investigating sequential decision processes, game-theoretic approaches to learning, and robust statistical inference methods.
Prof. Dr. Norbert Hofmann is a Lecturer in thermo-mechanical and casting simulation at the Institute of Thermal and Fluid Engineering within the School of Engineering and Environment at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) . His career spans over 25 years of research and teaching in computational mechanics and advanced manufacturing processes. Roles : Lecturer, Researcher, Conference Organizer Expertise : Numerical simulation, casting optimization, thermal analysis Collaborations : Swiss Nanoscience Institute, ETHZ, international automotive/energy sectors Research Interests focus on: Thermo-mechanical simulation of industrial casting processes Advanced solidification modeling with finite element methods Process optimization using automated systems Thermal management in electronics packaging Microspecimen mechanical testing at extreme temperatures Publication Trends show consistent contributions to casting technology innovation, spanning from aerospace turbine blades (1990s) to modern nanoscale bonding applications. His work bridges computational modeling with experimental validation across disciplines. Scientific Awards : Best Paper Award (2000) for innovative casting process development Outstanding ranking for thermophysical property data contributions As educator, he has mentored numerous students in Computational Mechanics and Advanced Manufacturing through hands-on simulation projects. His research has been supported by collaborations with ABB Turbo Systems AG , Honda Research Center , and Ford Research Center . Labs & Teams : Active participant in the Final COST526 Workshop and APOMAT research consortium. Maintains close ties with Foundry Center FHNW and Swiss NanoScience Institute at Basel University.
Johannes Aichele, PhD , is a researcher at the Institute of Geophysics of ETH Zürich. His work focuses on advanced wave physics and imaging techniques across geophysical and biomedical domains. Research interests include: Seismic monitoring of geohazards (rock slopes, debris flows) Shear-wave and elastography imaging Wave dynamics in porous/time-dependent materials Acoustic cloning and inverse problems High-frame-rate ultrasound applications Recent publications highlight innovations in distributed acoustic sensing, rupture nucleation imaging, and cross-domain applications of wave physics. Notable trends include real-time monitoring systems, computational wave modeling, and interdisciplinary approaches bridging geophysics and biomedical diagnostics.
Paul Bowen is a Visiting Professor at École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the EDMX-ENS doctoral program until October 2024. His research focuses on computational and experimental materials science, specializing in nanostructured materials, cement chemistry, and biomaterials. He employs atomic-level simulations and advanced characterization to study hydration mechanisms, nanoparticle interactions, and ceramic biocompatibility. Bowen's research bridges computational modeling and experimental synthesis, with emphasis on: Cementitious systems (hydration kinetics, superplasticizers) Nanomaterial design (surface properties, atomic structure) Bioceramics (osteoclastic resorption, phase transformations) He leads a research group that has produced significant work on force field development for materials simulations, with publications demonstrating consistent focus on atomic-scale phenomena in construction materials and biomedically relevant ceramics over the past three years. Bowen has supervised 15 PhD students in materials science and engineering, including projects on: Atomic simulations of cement hydrates Bioceramic processing Nanoparticle synthesis and characterization
Daniel Steffen serves as Professor and Co-Head of the Master of Science in Real Estate (MScRE) program at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), School of Business, within the Institute for Financial Services Zug (IFZ) Center for Real Estate. His academic leadership spans real estate economics, data-driven decision making, and sustainable market analysis, with significant contributions to Swiss housing policy discourse. His educational background includes: PhD in Economics (2016-2020) from University of Bern, focusing on causal data analysis in real estate and development economics MSc in Economics (2014-2016) from University of Bern & Universidad Carlos III Madrid BSc in Economics with Philosophy minor (2010-2013) from University of Bern Steffen's research centers on real estate market dynamics , examining housing affordability, regulatory impacts, and sustainable investment transitions. His work integrates causal inference methodologies with practical industry challenges, particularly in Swiss urban contexts. Key themes include tokenized real estate investments, demographic change effects, and climate transition risks in property markets, bridging academic rigor with policy relevance through the IFZ research ecosystem. His publication trends reveal a strategic shift toward transitional real estate challenges , with increasing focus on sustainability metrics, climate risk integration, and housing policy evaluation since 2022. While maintaining strong foundations in housing market analysis, recent work expands into educational economics through field experiments in developing contexts, demonstrating methodological versatility across economic subfields. Through IFZ research projects including the Sustainable Lending Monitor, Rental Apartment Demand Monitor, and Digitalization Barometer, Steffen drives evidence-based industry insights. His advisory role in MScRE program development shapes next-generation real estate professionals, while industry presentations translate complex research into actionable market intelligence for stakeholders across Switzerland's financial and property sectors.
Alexandre Terrier is a Group Leader and Lecturer at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), School of Engineering (STI), within the Department of Biomedical Engineering. He leads the Laboratory of Biomechanical Orthopedics (LBO) and holds teaching roles in multiple departments including SSV, EDBB, and SGM. His expertise spans biomechanics, orthopaedic research, and patient-specific modeling. Terrier's research focuses on joint biomechanics, mechano-biology, and finite element analysis, with applications in orthopaedic surgery and implant design. Education: PhD in Biomechanics (EPFL, 1999), MSc in Physics (EPFL, 1994). Professional experience includes roles as Head of the Joint Biomechanics Group (LBO, EPFL, 2006), Post-Doc at Columbia University (1999), and teaching at Lycée cantonal de Porrentruy (1995). Research interests include patient-specific models of human joints, statistical analysis of bone morphology, and prosthetic implant optimization. Over 120 peer-reviewed articles highlight his contributions to shoulder and hip arthroplasty biomechanics, bone strain analysis, and computational modeling. Terrier advises PhD students in biomechanical engineering and leads interdisciplinary projects combining experimental and computational methods. Labs/Teams: Laboratory of Biomechanical Orthopedics (LBO), collaborating with clinical and engineering partners on surgical innovation and implant development.
Christophe Dessimoz is a Professor at the University of Lausanne's Department of Ecology and Evolution, affiliated with the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB). He holds a joint appointment with University College London (UCL), where part of his lab remains active. His academic journey includes a Master's in Biology (ETH Zurich, 2003) and a PhD in Computer Science (ETH Zurich, 2009). He has held roles at ETH Zurich, EMBL-EBI, and UCL before joining the Center for Integrative Genomics (CIG) as a Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) Professor in 2015. His research bridges computational methods and evolutionary biology, focusing on gene and genome evolution, orthology inference, and phylogenetic analysis. Key projects include the Quest for Orthologs consortium and the OMA database. He has developed tools like OMA Standalone, ALF, and Matreex, which aid in genomic analysis and visualization. His work has been recognized with awards such as the SIB Young Bioinformatician Award (2012), Google Faculty Award (2015), and EMBO Young Investigator (2016) status. His lab collaborates across disciplines, addressing questions like the conservation of membrane proteins and the evolutionary origins of eukaryotes. Ongoing projects explore AI ethics in life sciences and federated data querying for biomedical research. Publications highlight advancements in orthology benchmarking, phylogenetic tree inference, and applications of genomic data to medicine and evolutionary biology. His team includes PhD students, postdocs, and visiting researchers, fostering a collaborative environment for computational and experimental work.
Prof. Dr. Gabriel Aeppli is Head of the Photon Science Division at Paul Scherrer Institut and holds joint professorships in Physics at ETH Zürich and EPF Lausanne. His distinguished career includes leadership roles at NEC Research Institute and co-founding the London Centre for Nanotechnology. Aeppli's honors include the Oliver Buckley Prize, Néel Medal, and memberships in the National Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts & Sciences, and Royal Society. His research applies nanotechnology and photon science to biomedicine and quantum information processing, developing optical/microwave diagnostic tools and quantum state manipulation techniques. Current projects include drug-target binding assays and quantum computing using silicon-based systems and THz radiation from free-electron lasers. Research publications demonstrate expertise in quantum materials, particle physics, advanced imaging, and computational methods, with consistent focus on experimental and theoretical aspects of quantum phenomena. Scientific Awards: Oliver Buckley Prize Néel Medal National Academy of Sciences Membership American Academy of Arts & Sciences Membership Royal Society Fellowship
Dr. Alex Sixie Cao is a Lecturer at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at ETH Zurich, working under Professor Andrea Frangi. His research focuses on structural engineering with emphasis on timber structures, progressive collapse analysis, and robustness of tall buildings. His work involves both experimental testing and numerical modeling of structural behavior under extreme loading conditions. His research interests include dynamic structural response, impact loading effects on timber structures, and system reliability of building connections. Dr. Cao has conducted pendulum impact tests on timber beams and developed analytical models for catenary action in reinforced timber structures. Dr. Cao's research primarily appears in computational mechanics and structural engineering journals, with recurring themes in timber structures, progressive collapse mechanisms, granular material behavior, and structural optimization. His recent publications demonstrate consistent focus on developing predictive models for structural failures under various loading scenarios.
Anastasija Komkova is a Lecturer at the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at ETH Zürich, where she has also been a PhD student since 2019. Her research focuses on sustainability assessment of alkali-activated materials (AAMs) within circular economy frameworks, emphasizing environmental performance, supply chain optimization for industrial by-products, and life cycle analysis in construction. She holds a Master’s degree in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics from Copenhagen University (2015), with an Erasmus exchange at Vienna University. Prior to her PhD, she worked as a consultant at the Institute of Applied Economics, contributing to EU projects on recycling waste in construction materials. She is currently part of the EU H2020 ETN DuRSAAM, a PhD training network advancing durable and sustainable AAM-based structures. Education: PhD Candidate, Chair of Sustainable Construction, ETH Zürich (2019–present) MSc Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen (2015) Erasmus Exchange, University of Vienna (2014) Research Interests: Anastasija’s work bridges environmental and economic disciplines, addressing challenges in circular economy implementation within construction. Key areas include: Environmental impact assessment of AAMs Supply chain network optimization for waste materials Microeconomic modeling of recycling incentives Life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies Her research emphasizes industrial symbiosis, regional material integration, and policy frameworks to enhance sustainability. Publications: Recent work highlights her focus on circular economy applications, including optimizing waste material supply chains, developing AAM-based repair mortars, and analyzing thermal performance of geopolymer concretes. Her studies often employ multi-objective optimization and life cycle assessment to evaluate trade-offs between environmental impact and economic feasibility. Awards: No specific awards mentioned, though her involvement in EU-funded projects underscores recognition of her research impact. Grants & Collaborations: Key participation in the EU H2020 ETN DuRSAAM network demonstrates her role in advancing interdisciplinary research on sustainable construction materials. Her prior consultancy work with the Institute of Applied Economics reflects industry-academia collaboration experience. Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the Chair of Sustainable Construction at ETH Zürich and the ETN DuRSAAM consortium, collaborating with academic and industrial partners across Europe to advance AAM applications.
Dr. Shishir Mundra is a Researcher affiliated with the Professorship for Durability of Engineering Materials at ETH Zürich's Institut für Baustoffe (IfB). His work focuses on corrosion mechanisms in cementitious materials, particularly steel-concrete interfaces. He employs advanced analytical techniques like microscale chemical imaging, X-ray computed tomography, and electrochemical methods to study material degradation processes. Key research themes include carbonation-induced corrosion, chloride binding in alkali-activated materials, and redox interactions in aqueous systems. His studies bridge fundamental material science with practical applications in infrastructure durability, emphasizing sustainable concrete solutions and environmental interactions. Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, integrating chemistry, civil engineering, and materials science to address challenges in corrosion protection and material longevity. Collaborations with RILEM TC committees underscore his engagement in standard-setting research for construction materials.
Dr. David Perozzi is a researcher at the Geotechnical Engineering Professorship at ETH Zürich. His work focuses on soil-structure interaction, retaining wall behavior, and earth pressure analysis. He specializes in experimental and numerical methods for geotechnical systems. Research interests include: Earth pressure evolution, soil-retaining wall interactions, corrosion effects on infrastructure, and limit-state analysis of geotechnical structures. His work combines theoretical modeling with practical experimental validation. Recent publications focus on developing advanced analysis tools for earth pressure quantification and structural safety assessments, particularly for corrosion-damaged infrastructure.