Olga Fink is a Tenure Track Assistant Professor at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the Department of Intelligent Maintenance and Operations Systems (IMOS) within the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC). She also holds roles in PhD program committees for Civil and Environmental Engineering (EDCE) and Robotics, Control, and Intelligent Systems (EDRS). Her research focuses on machine learning for infrastructure monitoring, predictive maintenance, and physics-informed AI models. She teaches courses on machine learning, data science for infrastructure, and advanced deep learning topics. Fink advises multiple PhD students and is involved in interdisciplinary projects such as ThermoNeRF (multimodal 3D thermal modeling) and physics-informed neural networks for fault diagnostics. Her work bridges AI and engineering with applications in smart infrastructure, energy systems, and industrial IoT. Education: PhD in Engineering (inferred from role) Affiliations: IMOS Lab, ENAC-SGC, EPFL PhD Committees (EDCE, EDRS) Key Research Themes: Explainable AI, Digital Twins, Structural Health Monitoring, Domain Adaptation Her publications (2023–2025) emphasize robust AI for industrial systems, including fault detection in high-voltage equipment, multimodal data fusion, and physics-consistent models. She collaborates on EU and industry-funded projects, focusing on real-world applications like predictive maintenance and energy efficiency.
Dr. Marcel Dettling is a Group Lead in Data Analysis and Statistics at the ZHAW School of Engineering , focusing on predictive analytics, applied statistics, and complex data analysis. He also serves as a Lecturer at ETH Zurich , teaching advanced statistical methods. Education : PhD in Mathematics (2000-2004), ETH Zurich Postdoc in Applied Statistics (2004-2006), Johns Hopkins University His research spans predictive analytics (regression, classification, time series), data mining, and applications in health economics, transportation safety, social sciences , and business analytics . Recent work includes pharmaceutical cost group analysis for Swiss healthcare and predictive maintenance for marine vessels. Selected publications highlight his expertise in flight trajectory modeling , deep learning error mitigation , and statistical frameworks for rehabilitation finance . His projects address diverse fields like crowdworking in nursing, energy optimization for shipping, and customer behavior prediction.
Juergen Schmidhuber is Associate Professor at the Faculty of Informatics of Università della Svizzera italiana and a leading researcher at the Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA USI-SUPSI). He is also Chief Scientist at NNAISENSE, a company dedicated to building practical general-purpose AI. His work has profoundly influenced modern artificial intelligence, particularly through the development of Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks in 1991, now deployed across billions of devices for speech recognition, machine translation, and virtual assistants. His research interests span Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, Recurrent Neural Networks, Universal AI, Meta-Learning, Algorithmic Information Theory, Artificial Curiosity, Robotics , and Low-Complexity Art . He has pioneered mathematically rigorous frameworks for self-improving AI systems and formal theories of creativity and beauty. His work bridges theoretical foundations with real-world applications in computer vision, natural language processing, and autonomous robotics. The recent articles reflect a consistent trajectory of innovation, combining deep theoretical insights with scalable machine learning architectures. His publications emphasize sequence modeling, universal learning, intrinsic motivation, and computational creativity , demonstrating both foundational contributions and industrial impact. From LSTM to Goedel machines, his work consistently targets the long-term goal of self-improving general AI. Scientific Awards: Numerous awards in AI and machine learning (specific names not listed) Schmidhuber leads a research group at IDSIA, where he mentors students and researchers in advancing the frontiers of AI. His lab has secured significant recognition and industrial collaboration, though specific grants are not detailed. He promotes the 'New AI'—general, sound, and relevant to physics—and continues to explore the convergence of intelligence, computation, and the universe. Labs and Teams: Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence (IDSIA USI-SUPSI) NNAISENSE (as Chief Scientist)
Xiang Yin is a Research Associate at the Department of Computing in Imperial College London , affiliated with the Computational Logic and Argumentation group (CLArg) . His work bridges Explainable AI (XAI) and Computational Argumentation (CA) , focusing on the explainability of Quantitative Bipolar Argumentation Frameworks (QBAFs) through attribution and counterfactual explanations. Research Interests: Explainable AI (XAI) Computational Argumentation Quantitative Bipolar Argumentation Frameworks Model Interpretability Human-AI Interaction Logical Reasoning for AI Publication Trends reveal a focus on argumentation-based explainability, with 2025-2024 works addressing large language models for claim verification, truth-discovery frameworks, and counterfactual explanations. Earlier works (2023-2022) explore random forest explanations, faithfulness criteria, and QBAF analysis. His 2018 publications on aircraft prediction systems demonstrate applied machine learning expertise. Education PhD in Artificial Intelligence under Prof. Francesca Toni and Dr. Nico Potyka Pre-PhD: Machine Learning R&D Engineer at Baidu Labs & Teams Xiang is part of the CLArg group at Imperial College London, focusing on integrating computational argumentation with AI explainability and contestability.
Harald C. Gall is a Professor of Software Engineering and Dean of the Faculty of Business, Economics, and Informatics at the University of Zurich (UZH). He leads the Software Evolution and Architecture Lab, focusing on software evolution analysis, mining software repositories, and cloud-based software engineering. His research emphasizes improving software development productivity through data-driven insights. He has held visiting positions at Microsoft Research and the University of Washington. Education: PhD (Dr. techn.) and Master's (Dipl.-Ing.) in Informatics from TU Vienna Research Interests: Software evolution, mining software archives, cloud-based tools, developer productivity, and empirical software engineering. Notable contributions include the Evolizer , ChangeDistiller , and SOFAS systems. Key Contributions: Established the Mining Software Repositories (MSR) research area, program chair for ICSE 2011 and ESEC/FSE 2005, associate editor of leading journals like Empirical Software Engineering and IEEE Software. Awards: Most Influential Paper Award, Test of Time Award, and multiple Best Paper Awards. Recognized for contributions to SE research methodologies and tool development. Professional Activities: ACM SIGSOFT awards chair, board member of Informatics Europe, and executive committee member of CHOOSE (Swiss SIG for OO Systems). Labs/Teams: Director of the Software Evolution and Architecture Lab at UZH, leading projects like SURF-MobileAppsData (SNSF-funded) and DevCloud (Hasler Foundation).
Prof. Dr. Olga Fink is a Tenure Track Assistant Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) since March 1, 2022. She leads the Intelligent Maintenance and Operations Systems (IMOS) research group within the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering under the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC). She also serves in PhD program committees for Civil and Environmental Engineering and Robotics, Control, and Intelligent Systems. PhD Students: Faghih Niresi Keivan, Garmaev Sergei, Sharma Vinay, Sun Han, Theiler Raffael Pascal, Von Krannichfeldt Leandro, Wei Amaury Pierre Jiezhi, Xu Chenghao, Zhang Zepeng, Zhao Mengjie Past PhD Student: Nejjar Ismail Her research focuses on applying machine learning to infrastructure condition monitoring and predictive maintenance of industrial systems. She teaches courses including Introduction to Machine Learning for Engineers , Data Science for Infrastructure Condition Monitoring , and Machine Learning for Predictive Maintenance Applications .
Jinhan Kim is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) in the Faculty of Informatics, working in the TAU lab under Prof. Paolo Tonella. He earned his Ph.D. from KAIST under Prof. Shin Yoo, focusing on software engineering research in mutation testing, fault localization, and deep learning system testing. His work bridges traditional software engineering techniques with AI-driven methodologies, emphasizing AI4SE and SE4AI paradigms. Education: Ph.D. in Software Engineering, KAIST, 2023 Research Interests: Mutation Testing Deep Learning System Testing Autonomous Systems Testing Adversarial Attack Detection Empirical Software Engineering Service and Leadership: Organized SBFT 2026 and DeepTest 2026 (co-located with ICSE 2026) Program Committee Member for ASE, ISSTA, Mutation, and DeMeSSAI Board of Distinguished Reviewers for TOSEM (2024–2025) Labs and Teams: Active contributor to the TAU Lab at USI, focusing on advanced software testing and AI integration.
Mohamed Farhat is a Senior Scientist at EPFL's School of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, where he leads the Research Group on Cavitation and Interface Phenomena. He serves as PhD Director, Lecturer, and Member of EPFL Doctoral Committee (Mechanics), while also representing EPFL at CLUSER association and coordinating activities at the Société Hydrotechnique de France (SHF). His research expertise spans Cavitation & Multiphase flows, Flow Induced Noise & Vibration, Fluid-Structure Interaction, Flow control, Flow instabilities in hydro turbines and pumps, Condition monitoring of Hydraulic Machines, Hemodynamics, and Advanced Instrumentation in Fluid Dynamics. Farhat's work uniquely bridges fundamental fluid mechanics with practical applications across hydropower, marine propulsion, healthcare, and water management sectors. Analysis of his recent publications reveals strong focus on cavitation bubble dynamics, with particular emphasis on measurement techniques for collapsing bubbles, vortex shedding control, hydrodynamic monitoring of hydraulic machinery, and biomedical applications of cavitation phenomena. His work increasingly integrates advanced imaging techniques with computational modeling to understand complex multiphase flow phenomena. 2021: Life Sciences Book Award of the International Academy of Astronautics 2019: 1st Prize Winner of Scientific Image Contest (Swiss National Science Foundation) 2020: EPFL-Rhyming Prize (Best PhD thesis in Fluid Mechanics) 2018: EPFL-EDME Prize (Best PhD thesis in Mechanics) 2015: Edmund Optics Educational Award 2014: APS-DFD Gallery of Fluid Motion Award Farhat has successfully supervised numerous PhD students including Ali Amini, Philippe Ausoni, and Outi Supponen, with research spanning from fundamental bubble dynamics to practical hydraulic machinery applications. His Cavitation Research Group maintains strong collaborations with industry partners in hydropower and medical device sectors. Current research directions include advanced instrumentation for cavitation monitoring, condition-based maintenance of hydraulic machinery, and biomedical applications of cavitation phenomena in therapeutic ultrasound and drug delivery.
David Suter is an Associate Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), affiliated with the School of Life Sciences (SV) and the Institute of Bioengineering (IBI-SV), leading the UPSUTER research unit focused on Gene Regulation & Cell Identity. He is based in the AI building at Station 19, Lausanne, and holds active teaching and leadership roles across multiple departments, including Life Sciences Engineering. He serves as Director of the Doctoral Program in Molecular Life Sciences (EDMS), and is a member of the Doctoral School Committee and the PhD Program Committee for Computational and Quantitative Biology. His research centers on the quantitative analysis of gene expression dynamics and cell identity, employing cutting-edge techniques such as ultrasensitive bioluminescence imaging, fluorescent protein timers, genome editing, and high-throughput genomics (ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, CUT&RUN). His lab investigates transcriptional memory, proteostasis, transcription factor search dynamics, and cell fate decisions using embryonic stem cells and cancer cells as model systems. These approaches enable real-time, single-cell resolution studies of transcription factor behavior, mRNA production, and protein turnover across cell divisions. The publication trends in his work emphasize live-cell imaging, quantitative molecular biology, and systems-level understanding of gene regulation. His articles reflect a strong focus on visualizing and quantifying biological processes in living cells, particularly around transcription factors like Sox2 and their role in pluripotency and differentiation. The integration of biophysical tools with molecular biology allows his team to decode the mechanisms underlying cell identity maintenance and fate transitions. He actively supervises PhD students, both current and past, contributing significantly to doctoral education at EPFL. His leadership in the EDMS program underscores his commitment to training the next generation of scientists in molecular and quantitative life sciences. While no specific grants are mentioned in the text, his lab's advanced technological development (e.g., bioluminescence imaging tools) suggests strong funding support. David Suter leads the Suter Lab, a multidisciplinary research group combining molecular and cell biology with computational and biophysical methods. The lab fosters close collaborations and maintains a strong technical core in imaging and genomics, enabling innovative research on the fundamental principles of gene regulation during development and disease.
Prof. Bernd Domer is an Associate Professor at the Geneva School of Landscape, Engineering and Architecture (HES-SO) specializing in Building Information Modeling (BIM) , Geographic Information Systems (GIS) , and digital transformation of civil engineering . He leads multiple ongoing research projects including CU_OFROU_PAB (CHF278,844) focused on BIM-GIS workflows for noise barriers, and SousEtoile (CHF50,000) developing subsurface prediction models for urban planning. His work addresses critical challenges in software interoperability and point cloud processing for infrastructure digital twins. BA HES-SO in Architecture (HEPIA) BSc Civil Engineering (EPFL) BSc HES-SO in Civil Engineering (HEPIA) MSc HES-SO in Engineering (HES-SO Master) His research explores digital workflows for infrastructure projects, with over 15 recent publications examining topics like: Semantic segmentation of point clouds (2024) IFC standard optimization (2023) Underground confidence level modeling (2021) Swiss BIM implementation frameworks (2020) Construction waste management platforms (2018) He serves as Head of the MIC Group and co-directs the CAS in BIM Coordination . Active in international committees like EG-ICE and Bauen digital Schweiz , his work bridges academic research with practical implementation through collaborations with HEPIA , HEIG-VD , and institutions like the Swiss Federal Roads Office (OFROU) .
Paolo Prandoni is a Lecturer at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences (IC). He serves as a Scientist in the Audiovisual Communications Laboratory (LCAV) and teaches in the SSC-ENS and SIN-ENS units, focusing on signal processing theory and practical applications in audiovisual communications. He earned his PhD from EPFL after completing all prior education there, driven by childhood fascination with long-distance telephony. His doctoral work established foundations in communication systems that continue to inform his research. Prandoni's research spans audio/image processing, machine learning for media analysis, and DSP education. Key areas include computational photography (e.g., spectral imaging, stained glass rendering), speech quality assessment via transfer learning, music information retrieval (e.g., fingering prediction), and audience analytics through his company Quividi. His work consistently bridges theoretical signal processing with real-world implementation. Recent publications reveal a strategic shift toward machine learning integration in signal processing tasks, particularly non-intrusive speech assessment and lensless imaging reconstruction. Simultaneously, he advances DSP pedagogy through MOOC development and hands-on teaching tools using off-the-shelf hardware, emphasizing accessibility and practical skill development. No scientific awards are documented in the provided materials. He has advised PhD student Thanikachalam Niranjan (thesis: Image Based Relighting of Cultural Artifacts , 2016) and teaches Communication Systems and Computer Science courses. His educational impact extends through the open-access textbook Signal Processing for Communications (2008) and tools like MultiPub for maintainable online classes. Industry engagement includes Quividi co-founding (2006) and ongoing CSO role in attention analytics. As a core LCAV laboratory member, he collaborates on interdisciplinary projects including cultural heritage digitization, embedded signal processing systems, and real-time audience measurement, leveraging EPFL's infrastructure for both academic and commercial applications.
Mauro Pezzè is a Full Professor of Software Engineering at the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) and Università di Milano Bicocca, leading the STAR research group since 2006. He holds a laurea from the University of Pisa and a PhD from Politecnico di Milano. His research focuses on software testing, analysis, self-adaptive systems, and cloud systems. He has held editorial roles, including Editor-in-Chief of ACM Transactions on Software Engineering and Methodologies (TOSEM), and served on numerous program committees. Education: Laurea (Pisa), PhD (Politecnico di Milano). Professional roles include Dean of the Faculty of Informatics at USI (2009-2013), visiting scientist at UC Irvine and Edinburgh, and technical lead for international projects. He co-authored a seminal book on software testing (Wiley, 2007), with over 670 citations. Research Interests: Software Testing, Self-Adaptive Systems, Cloud Computing, AI in SE, Sustainable Software. Projects include work on field-based testing, failure prediction in distributed systems, and neuro-symbolic approaches for test oracles. Grants and Advising: Led STAR Lab projects in self-healing systems, GUI testing, and semantic matching. Advised numerous PhD/postdoc students (e.g., Ciniselli, Di Grazia, Qiu). Collaborations with European tech firms on R&D initiatives. Labs/Teams: STAR Group at USI/Constructor Institute, Bicocca, and Politecnico di Milano. Current members include postdocs and PhD students working on AI-driven testing and cloud reliability.
Federica Sandrone is a Lecturer at the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC) at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where she also serves as a Scientist at the Laboratory of Experimental Rock Mechanics (LEMR) within the Institute of Civil Engineering. Her academic career spans over 15 years with continuous contributions to tunnel engineering and rock mechanics research. Her research focuses on the intersection of rock mechanics and tunnel engineering, with particular expertise in tunnel pathology analysis, TBM performance in challenging geological conditions, and long-term tunnel behavior. Sandrone's work bridges theoretical analysis with practical engineering applications, addressing real-world problems in tunnel infrastructure management and maintenance. Her research methodology combines field investigations, laboratory testing, and numerical modeling to understand complex geomechanical behaviors. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on tunnel inspection methodologies, TBM performance prediction in difficult ground conditions, and the long-term behavior of tunnel structures. Her work has evolved from fundamental tunnel pathology studies to more advanced applications involving GIS integration, probabilistic modeling, and modern inspection techniques including laser scanning and image analysis. Engineer at SBB-Infrastructure (2008-present) responsible for Tunnels Management and Maintenance Assistant for Tunnel Engineering courses (2007-present) PhD supervision including Erika Paltrinieri's 2015 thesis on TBM performance Development of tunnel inspection methodologies and condition assessment procedures Her teaching activities include courses in Rock Mechanics and Underground Construction, where students learn about the mechanical behavior of rock materials, tunnel excavation and support design, planning and management of underground works, and risk assessment in tunnel construction.
Thilo Stadelmann is the Founding Director of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) . A computer scientist by training, he earned his Doctor of Science degree from Marburg University, Germany, and has held engineering and leadership roles in the automotive industry before transitioning to academia. His research interests lie at the intersection of representation learning and the societal implications of artificial intelligence . He is particularly focused on understanding how AI systems can be designed to enhance human capabilities while addressing ethical concerns and societal challenges. Stadelmann is a prolific speaker and educator, delivering TEDx talks and lectures on topics such as "How Not to Fear AI" , "AI vs Human: Understanding the Fundamental Differences" , and "Decoding AI Fear: The Philosophy Behind It" . His work emphasizes the importance of demystifying AI and fostering a balanced perspective on its potential and limitations. His recent publications span a wide range of AI applications, from safety-critical network infrastructures and medical imaging to industrial process control and AI governance . Notable works include studies on AI risk assessment for public policy, document recognition, and the societal impact of AI technologies. Beyond his academic role, Stadelmann is actively involved in the digital ecosystem as a (co-)founder and senior leader in several organizations, bridging the gap between research and practical implementation in the AI space.
Cécile Münch-Alligné is a Professor in Hydraulic Energy at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO) in Sion, where she serves as the Head of the Hydroelectricity Research Group and the Renewable Energy Program. She leads the Hydro Alps Lab, which conducts applied research in hydropower combining experimental and numerical approaches. Her work focuses on enhancing the flexibility of both small and large hydropower plants, with particular emphasis on adapting these systems to the evolving energy landscape and integration of renewable energy sources. Her educational background includes a BSc in Energy and Environmental Techniques, an MSc in Engineering, and a BSc in Industrial Systems, all from HES-SO Valais-Wallis. Her research spans multiple domains within hydraulic engineering and renewable energy systems, with particular expertise in CFD simulation, numerical methods, and hydraulic machine design. Münch-Alligné's research interests primarily center around improving hydropower flexibility through innovative approaches such as hydraulic short-circuit operating modes, variable speed operation, and energy recovery systems in water networks. She investigates both large-scale pumped storage power plants and micro-hydropower systems for urban water networks, with a strong focus on practical implementation and commercialization of research findings. Her work bridges theoretical modeling with experimental validation to address real-world challenges in the energy transition. Her research has been published extensively in leading journals, covering topics from Pelton turbine dynamics and Francis turbine vortex analysis to micro-turbine implementations in drinking water networks. The publications reveal a clear trend toward enhancing operational flexibility of hydropower systems to better integrate with intermittent renewable energy sources, with increasing emphasis on practical demonstration projects and commercial applications. As Principal Investigator, she has led multiple significant research projects including the SCCER 4 WP 3.2.0 2017-2020 (Supply of Electricity), Hydrolienne pour canaux artificiels Centrale de Lavey, and SOLUTION DE TRANSFERT D'ENERGIE PAR POMPAGE-TURBINAGE A PETITE ECHELLE. These projects, totaling over 2 million CHF in funding from sources including CTI, OFEN, and industrial partners, demonstrate her ability to secure substantial research funding and collaborate effectively with both academic and industry partners. Münch-Alligné leads the Hydro Alps Lab research team, which includes numerous researchers such as Steiner Amandus, Walpen Olivier, Vaccari Aldo, and others. Her collaborative approach extends to partnerships with institutions like Stahleinbau GmbH and The Ark Energy, facilitating the transfer of knowledge from research to industry application. The lab's work spans from fundamental fluid dynamics research to full-scale demonstration projects, creating a comprehensive pipeline from theory to practical implementation.