Pascal Frossard is a Full Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering in the School of Engineering (STI) at EPFL, with a courtesy appointment in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences. He founded and directs the LTS4 laboratory since 2003, co-leads the EPFL AI Center and Swiss Data Science Center, and serves as Associate Dean for Research at STI. Research Focus: Machine Learning, Graph Signal Processing, AI Applications in Healthcare, Computer Vision Academic Leadership: IEEE Fellow, ELLIS Fellow, Conference Chair roles Key Projects: Digital Pathology for Oncology, Cardiac Digital Twins, Robust Machine Learning Research Interests: His work bridges signal processing, machine learning, and applied mathematics, emphasizing biomedical applications. Recent research includes adversarial robustness in classifiers, network representation learning, and 360-degree video analysis. Scientific Awards: IEEE Fellow ELLIS Fellow Leadership in IEEE technical committees Advising & Grants: Supervised 20+ PhD students and postdocs. Secured major grants from PHRT, Hasler Foundation, FNS-Sinergia, Armasuisse, Google, and Cisco.
Dr. Vakil Takhaveev is a Lecturer at ETH Zurich's Department of Health Sciences and Technology, within the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health. His research focuses on DNA damage mechanisms, aging, cancer, and neurodegeneration, with particular emphasis on developing novel DNA-damage-sequencing methods like click-code-seq and TRABI-Seq . He investigates anticancer drug action (e.g., trabectedin), aging clocks using DNA oxidation profiling, and stress-induced carcinogenesis. His work integrates multi-omics approaches and advanced sequencing techniques. Research Directions: Novel DNA-Damage-Sequencing Methods: Developed click-code-seq and TRABI-Seq for genomic mapping of DNA lesions and repair dynamics. Anticancer Drug Action: Explored mechanisms of trabectedin and other chemotherapeutics, linking DNA repair vulnerabilities to therapy resistance. Aging Clocks: Created DNA oxidation-based biomarkers for biological aging using genome-wide profiling in human and mouse models. Stress-Induced Pathologies: Studies metabolic and DNA damage links to early tumorigenesis and neurodegeneration. Awards & Recognition: 2025 Public Award Winner in PIs of Tomorrow competition 2024 ETH Zurich Career Seed Award Best presentation awards (Swiss Chemical Society, American Chemical Society) Grants & Collaborations: Impetus grants for aging clock development Swiss Chemical Society and American Chemical Society fellowships Labs & Teams: Leads research on DNA damage and aging mechanisms at ETH Zurich, collaborating with international groups in oncology and toxicology.
Kathrin Lang is a Full Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, and Head of the Organic Chemistry Laboratory. Her research focuses on chemical biology, particularly the development of tools for genetic code expansion to incorporate non-canonical amino acids into proteins and advance bioorthogonal chemistries for studying biological processes. Keywords: Genetic Code Expansion, Bioorthogonal Chemistry, Protein Engineering, Ubiquitylation Networks, Post-Translational Modifications. Lang’s work emphasizes proximity-triggered crosslinking reactions, bioorthogonal labeling, and in vivo chemistries to address challenges in protein interaction mapping and structural elucidation. Her group’s recent publications highlight methodologies for dual protein labeling, deciphering ubiquitin code, and enhancing cycloaddition reactivity. Current projects include exploring cyclopropene-fused dibenzocyclooctynes for improved labeling and investigating methylated lysine as a conformational regulator in Hsp90. Funding sources include the ERC (Ubl-tool), DFG (SFB1035, SPP1926), and ETH Zurich. She contributes to education through courses like Genetic Code Expansion for Studying Posttranslational Modifications and Chemical Biology and Synthetic Biochemistry . Collaborative efforts span structural biology, microbiology, and synthetic biochemistry, with applications in ubiquitin research and cellular imaging.
Dr. Andre Kahles is a Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science at ETH Zürich, specializing in biomedical informatics. His research focuses on computational methods for analyzing large-scale genomic and transcriptomic data, with applications in cancer genomics, metagenomics, and precision medicine. He has contributed to the development of tools such as SplAdder for alternative splicing analysis, MetaGraph for petascale genomic data exploration, and SECEDO for subclone detection in cancer genomes. His work bridges algorithmic innovation with biological insights, addressing challenges in single-cell analysis, genome graph alignment, and multi-omics integration. Key research themes include: Developing scalable algorithms for processing nanopore sequencing and metagenomic data Characterizing somatic mutations and non-coding drivers in cancer genomes Advancing genome graph-based alignment and annotation methods Integrating multi-omics data for clinical decision-making and tumor profiling His publications span topics like RNA-seq analysis, chromothripsis in cancers, and global urban microbiome tracking through the MetaSUB consortium. Kahles has collaborated on landmark projects including the Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) and the Tumor Profiler Study.
Nicolas Thomä is a Full Professor and head of the Thomä Lab at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where he holds the Paternot Chair in Cancer Research. He is affiliated with the School of Life Sciences (SV) and the Institute of Chemical and Biological Technology (ISREC), leading the UPTHOMAE research unit. His work bridges structural biology, chemical biology, and cancer research, with a focus on transcriptional regulation and targeted protein degradation. His research interests center on chromatin biology and the molecular mechanisms by which transcription factors access gene promoters within chromatin. He investigates how multi-protein complexes regulate gene expression, particularly focusing on the role of E3 ubiquitin ligases and molecular glues in targeted protein degradation. His lab combines structural techniques (including cryo-EM), biochemical assays, and functional genomics to unravel how small molecules can rewire protein interactions and induce degradation of disease-relevant proteins, especially transcription factors involved in cancer. The recent publications of his lab demonstrate a strong trajectory in understanding the structural basis of transcription factor binding to nucleosomes (e.g., OCT4-SOX2, MYC-MAX, CLOCK-BMAL1) and the mechanism of action of molecular glues like thalidomide. These studies highlight a shift toward therapeutic innovation through chemical biology, aiming to develop novel strategies for targeting 'undruggable' proteins in human diseases. Scientific Awards No specific awards listed in the provided text. Advising and Grants Thomä actively supervises a team of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, including David Domjan, Laurin Tim Kanis, Alessandro Minafra, and Pierre Alexander Miranda Herrera. His lab is supported by institutional funding from EPFL and likely external grants related to cancer research, structural biology, and chemical biology, though specific grants are not mentioned. The lab’s interdisciplinary approach suggests collaboration with pharmaceutical and biotech partners. Labs and Teams The Thomä Lab, based at EPFL’s SV building, includes a multidisciplinary team of scientists, technical specialists, and administrative support. Key members include Fiona Bello (Technical Specialist), Regina Baur, Alexandra Bendel, Manuel Carminati, and others. The lab is structured around two main research pillars: Transcription Factors in Chromatin Biology and Ubiquitin Biology and Molecular Glues, reflecting its dual focus on fundamental mechanisms and therapeutic applications.
Jian Peng is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His research focuses on computational biology, machine learning, and their applications to protein structure prediction, drug design, and molecular modeling. He has contributed to advancements in antibody engineering, protein-ligand docking, and generative models for biological systems. Key research areas include: Machine Learning for Molecular Modeling Protein Structure Prediction Antibody and Peptide Design Genomics and Single-Cell Analysis Structure-Based Drug Discovery His work emphasizes integrating deep learning techniques with biological datasets to address challenges in precision medicine, drug development, and systems biology. Notable achievements include developing the FastFold system to accelerate AlphaFold training and pioneering flow-based methods for antibody design. Awards include the Overton Prize (2020), recognizing contributions to computational biology. His research has been published in top journals and conferences, spanning topics from protein mutation prediction to geodesic-based immune complex modeling.
Prof. Dr. Sven Panke is a Full Professor and Head of the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering at ETH Zürich. His research focuses on bioprocess engineering, synthetic biology, and enzymatic process development. Key areas include miniaturized bioreactor systems, microbial engineering for novel metabolite production, and high-throughput screening methodologies. Education: Studied Biotechnology at TU Braunschweig, with postgraduate research at the German National Research Center for Biotechnology and ETH Zurich. Transitioned from industry (DSM) to academia in 2001 as an Assistant Professor, progressing to Associate Professor (2007-2009) before leading the BSS department. Research interests emphasize directed evolution of enzymes, metabolic pathway engineering, and systems biology approaches to optimize microbial production systems. Current projects include bio-indigo synthesis, antimicrobial peptide discovery, and synthetic biology tools for cellular engineering. Labs/Teams: Leads the Bioprocess Engineering Lab at ETH Zurich, collaborating on projects like the E. coli import system design and γ-glutamyltransferase engineering. Active in developing microfluidics platforms for parallel reaction analysis. Grants/Advising: Funded by initiatives in sustainable biomanufacturing and synthetic biology. Supervises graduate students in bioprocess design and microbial systems engineering.
Ueli Grossniklaus is an Ordinary Professor at the University of Zurich within the Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences , affiliated with the Department of Plant and Microbiology . His work focuses on plant developmental biology, particularly epigenetic and genetic mechanisms governing reproduction and adaptation. Key Courses: Epigenetics, Plant Biology Workshop, Group Seminars on Current Research Laboratory Techniques: Advanced methods in plant cell mechanics, transcriptomics, and genome editing Research Interests span plant epigenetics, reproductive biology, and the interplay between environmental stress and genetic regulation. He investigates: Mechanistic control of gametogenesis and fertilization Epigenetic contributions to plant adaptation Evolutionary implications of asexual reproduction Biophysical forces in plant cell growth Publication Trends (2025–2018) reveal expertise in: Arabidopsis and fern model systems Epigenetic regulation (DNA methylation, histone dynamics) Apomixis and hybrid seed failure mechanisms Biomechanics of pollen tubes and carnivorous plants Genome editing tools (CRISPR) and long-read sequencing Scientific Collaborations include interdisciplinary projects on: Microfluidic devices for plant cell analysis Gene drive ecology and ethics 3D imaging of plant reproductive structures Advising and Grants focus on mentoring through research internships in developmental biology, genetics, and systems biology. His lab engages in: Epigenetic response to environmental stress Cell wall mechanics in reproduction Computational modeling of plant growth Laboratory Teams integrate plant biologists, bioengineers, and computational scientists to study: Mechanistic gene regulation Evolutionary developmental biology Microrobotics for cellular force measurement
Maria Hondele is a Tenure-track Assistant Professor at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland, where she leads a research group dedicated to understanding the formation, regulation, and function of membraneless organelles, particularly those associated with RNA processing. Her interdisciplinary work bridges biochemistry, biophysics, and cell biology to dissect how RNA-protein condensates influence gene expression. Her research focuses on liquid-liquid phase separation and the role of DEAD-box ATPases as master regulators of biomolecular condensates. She investigates how these dynamic structures control RNA flux, processing, and localization within cells. Her lab employs a multidisciplinary approach including biochemical reconstitution, biophysical measurements, high-throughput screening, and advanced imaging techniques to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying condensate formation and function. The recent publications of her group reveal a strong thematic focus on RNA-protein interactions, phase separation, stress granules, and the enzymatic regulation of condensates by ATPases. These studies span model systems from synthetic coacervates to human cells, reflecting a comprehensive strategy to understand both fundamental principles and biological implications of membraneless organelles. ERC Starting Grant (2020) SNSF Eccellenza Professorship (2019) HFSP Long-Term Postdoctoral Fellowship (2015–2018) ETH and EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship (2015) PhD Prize, University of Munich (2014) Boehringer Ingelheim PhD Fellowship (2008–2011) Dr. Hondele advises a vibrant team of postdoctoral fellows, PhD students, and master’s students, indicating an active and expanding research program. She has secured competitive grants and leads a productive research group contributing significantly to the field of RNA biology and cellular organization. She is also an Associate Member of the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) RNA & Disease, reflecting her integration into major national research initiatives. Her research group is embedded within the Biozentrum, a leading interdisciplinary research center at the University of Basel, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities and collaborative networks in molecular and cellular biology.
Prof. Torsten Ochsenreiter is a Group Leader at the Institute of Cell Biology, University of Bern, and part of the Multidisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases (MCID). His research focuses on molecular parasitology, particularly on trypanosomes and malaria parasites, utilizing advanced microscopy techniques to study fundamental biological processes. His primary research interests include mitochondrial biogenesis, kinetoplast genome maintenance, RNA editing mechanisms, and cytoskeletal dynamics in Trypanosoma brucei . He investigates how mitochondrial DNA is segregated during cell division and how post-translational modifications regulate parasite transmission. His work bridges cell biology, structural biology, and infectious disease research to understand pathogenic mechanisms in neglected tropical diseases. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on the tripartite attachment complex (TAC), mitochondrial genome inheritance, and expansion microscopy applications. His research demonstrates how structural adaptations in parasite organelles enable survival and transmission, with significant implications for developing novel therapeutic strategies against African sleeping sickness and malaria. No scientific awards were mentioned in the provided text. Prof. Ochsenreiter advises students and leads an active research team at the University of Bern. The Ochsenreiter lab provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in cutting-edge parasitology research, though specific grant funding details were not provided in the text. The Ochsenreiter lab operates within the Institute of Cell Biology and specializes in molecular parasitology techniques including expansion microscopy, cryo-electron tomography, and genetic manipulation of trypanosomes. The team investigates mitochondrial biology and cytoskeletal organization to uncover vulnerabilities in parasite life cycles.
Michal Bassani-Sternberg is an Assistant Professor on conditional pre-tenure at the Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne (UNIL), and an Assistant Member at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Lausanne. She leads the Antigen Discovery Group and the Immunopeptidomics Unit at the Center for Experimental Therapies, Department of Oncology, UNIL-CHUV. Her work bridges proteogenomics, mass spectrometry, and computational biology to advance personalized cancer immunotherapy. Her educational background includes a Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate in Biology from the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, all earned with Cum Laude distinction. She completed postdoctoral training at the Technion and the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry, Germany, in the group of Prof. Matthias Mann. Dr. Bassani-Sternberg's research focuses on identifying cancer-specific Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) ligands to guide the development of personalized immunotherapies. Her group develops cutting-edge proteogenomic and mass spectrometry-based immunopeptidomics approaches to discover tumor-associated antigens, neoantigens, and non-canonical peptides. A key contribution is the development of NeoDisc, a continuous bioinformatics pipeline that integrates genomics, transcriptomics, and immunopeptidomics data for direct neoantigen identification in clinical trials. Her recent publications, appearing in high-impact journals such as Nature , Nature Biotechnology , Immunity , and Nature Cancer , reflect a strong trend in integrating multi-omics data to understand tumor immunogenicity, T cell responses, and antigen presentation dynamics. Her work increasingly incorporates machine learning to improve neoantigen prediction and TCR specificity inference. She has been recognized with the Pfizer Research Prize in 2021 for her contributions to immuno-oncology. Pfizer Research Prize (2021) Dr. Bassani-Sternberg leads an active research group involved in phase I clinical trials for personalized cancer vaccines and adoptive T cell therapies. Her lab is supported by major grants from the Swiss Cancer League, Swiss National Science Foundation, and ISREC Foundation. She mentors doctoral and postdoctoral researchers and collaborates extensively within the Lausanne immuno-oncology ecosystem, including CHUV and Ludwig Lausanne. Her lab, the Bassani-Sternberg Lab, is part of the Department of Oncology’s research platforms and focuses on immunopeptidomics, antigen discovery, and the development of analytical tools for personalized immunotherapy.
Michael Krauthammer is a Professor of Medical Informatics and Chair of the Department of Quantitative Biomedicine at the University of Zurich, affiliated with the University Hospital of Zurich. His lab focuses on Clinical Data Science and Translational Bioinformatics, leveraging AI and machine learning to address healthcare challenges. Key areas include cancer genomics, federated learning, and automated medical imaging analysis. Education and affiliations: Krauthammer leads an interdisciplinary team supported by major funding agencies. His research spans bioinformatics, clinical decision support systems, and multimodal data integration. Notable projects include AI-assisted diagnosis in rheumatology and prime editing efficiency prediction. Recent work emphasizes longitudinal cfDNA analysis, drug interaction modeling, and personalized oncology. The lab collaborates across disciplines, with projects funded by Swiss and international grants. Students and postdocs work on topics like machine learning for radiology reports, longitudinal disease trajectories, and protein design. Key projects include the NTCIR-18 RadNLP challenge, prime editing prediction models (Nature Biotechnology 2024), and vision transformers for capillaroscopy analysis. The lab advocates for reproducible data science and ethical AI in healthcare.
Manfred Zinn serves as a Professor at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO), specifically within the School of Chemistry and Life Sciences. He leads the Biotechnology and Sustainable Chemistry research group at the Life Science Engineering department in Sion, Switzerland. His academic position includes significant research leadership responsibilities and active contributions to the field of bioplastics and sustainable materials. Professor Zinn's research focuses primarily on biotechnology applications for sustainable materials, with particular expertise in polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and other bioplastics. His work spans microbial biosynthesis, material characterization, and industrial applications of biodegradable polymers. He investigates the metabolic pathways of PHA-producing microorganisms, develops novel analytical methods for biopolymer characterization, and explores practical applications of bioplastics in medical and industrial contexts. His research integrates microbiology, polymer chemistry, and process engineering to address challenges in sustainable materials development. Analysis of his recent publications (2019-2024) reveals a strong focus on advancing the science and technology of bioplastics, particularly polyhydroxyalkanoates. His work addresses key challenges in monomer composition control, polymer characterization, biosynthesis optimization, and industrial applications. A significant trend in his research involves developing sophisticated analytical methods for biopolymer production monitoring and exploring novel applications for biodegradable materials in medical and industrial contexts. His collaborative work spans multiple countries and institutions, reflecting the international nature of bioplastics research. Professor Zinn has secured significant research funding through multiple competitive grants, including Innosuisse and Swiss National Science Foundation projects. His research portfolio includes projects on biosynthesis of Chlorella, electroplating processes for biodegradable materials, and online flow cytometry analysis for microbial bioplastic production. These projects demonstrate his ability to secure funding for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of biotechnology, materials science, and sustainable chemistry. His collaborations extend to institutions including the Frauenhofer Institute and Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. The Biotechnology and Sustainable Chemistry research group led by Professor Zinn maintains strong laboratory facilities for microbial cultivation, biopolymer synthesis and characterization. The group utilizes advanced equipment including bioreactors, flow cytometry systems, and polymer analysis instrumentation. Their research bridges fundamental science with practical applications, focusing on developing sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics while addressing technical challenges in production, characterization, and implementation.
Prof. Kristopher McNeill is a Full Professor at ETH Zurich's Department of Environmental Systems Science, where he heads the Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics. Born in 1970 in Tucson, Arizona, he earned his BA in Chemistry from Reed College (1992) and PhD from UC Berkeley (1997), followed by postdoctoral work at MIT. His academic career includes positions as Assistant and Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota and Visiting Professorship at Stanford. McNeill's research focuses on environmentally relevant chemical reactions, particularly catalytic and photocatalytic transformations in aquatic systems. Key areas include environmental fate of emerging contaminants, photochemistry in surface waters, and metal-mediated dehalogenation reactions. His group emphasizes mechanistic studies using modern spectroscopic techniques like NMR and time-resolved laser spectroscopy to understand degradation pathways of contaminants. His publication trends show consistent focus on photochemical processes in environmental systems, with recent work expanding into polymer degradation, DNA photochemistry, and atmospheric chemistry. The research demonstrates increasing interdisciplinary integration of analytical chemistry, materials science, and environmental modeling. McNeill teaches multiple courses including: Introduction to Environmental Organic Chemistry Organic Chemistry Term Paper seminars Human Health, Nutrition and Environment
Marc Robinson-Rechavi is a Professor at the University of Lausanne, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Department of Ecology and Evolution. He leads the Evolutionary Bioinformatics Group , focusing on genome evolution and developmental biology (Evo-Devo) through the creation of databases like Bgee and MoultDB . Core projects: Bgee (gene expression database), MoultDB (arthropod molting genetics), SelectomeDB (positive selection) Collaborations: Paleontology, genome biology, and experimental Evo-Devo groups Research interests include linking developmental processes to genome evolution , with emphasis on gene duplication, regulatory sequence evolution, and molecular convergence. His work has significant applications in cancer research , agriculture , and biomedical studies . The group's publications (2020-2025) demonstrate expertise in single-cell transcriptomics , ontologies , and computational methods . Projects often involve ray-finned fishes , amphioxus , and arthropod diversity , with tools like OMAmer and Bio-SODA expanding bioinformatics capabilities. Current students and former group members have contributed to diverse projects including: Arthropod molting mechanisms Venom gland evolution Sex-biased gene expression Positive selection in human evolution
