Nominations of EPFL professors 16 July

New appointment at ETH Zurich and EPFL

Professor Beate Jesselcurrently President of the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, Bonn, Germany, as Full Professor of Landscape Development in the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich and in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering at EPFL (ENAC)

Beate Jessel is appointed full professor at ETH Zurich as well as at EPFL. She will take up her post as Director of the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) at the start of September 2021. Beate Jessel's research interests encompass concepts and strategies for nature conservation, landscape development and land use management, environmentally oriented planning, river basin management and landscape aesthetics.

New appointments at EPFL

Dr Ileana-Cristina Benea-Chelmus currently Postdoctoral Researcher at Harvard University, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Electrical and Micro Engineeringin the School of Engineering (STI)

Ileana-Cristina Benea-Chelmus conducts research into photonics with an emphasis on the development of transducers for terahertz and sub-terahertz frequencies. Her work has applications in areas that include metrology, THz frequency control and THz signal generation. Ileana-Cristina Benea-Chelmus is well known for her innovative ideas in the wider field of nanotechnology. Her research, both fundamental and applied, presents a remarkable opportunity for EPFL and will have significant implications for new optical technologies.

Professor Alessandro Chiesa currently Assistant Professor at the University of California, USA, as Associate Professor of Computer Science and Communication Systems in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences (IC)

Alessandro Chiesa's work focuses on cryptography, security and complexity theory. His research is already being applied: among other things, he is a co-founder of the company that launched the cryptocurrency Zcash. Through his appointment, EPFL is gaining a leading researcher who is active in technology transfer. Alessandro Chiesa's activities will include working for the Center for Digital Trust and building links with industry in order to facilitate the technology transfer of advanced data protection tools.

Dr Lénaïc Chizat currently Research Associate at Paris-Saclay University, France, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Mathematics in the School of Basic Sciences (SB)

Lénaïc Chizat's research covers the analysis, development and optimisation of algorithms, particularly those applied to machine learning. This highly competitive area presents one of the major challenges for applied mathematics over the coming years. Lénaïc Chizat and his research programme are at the cutting edge of this field of study. Thanks to his appointment, EPFL will also be able to offer new courses and strengthen connections and interchange between different areas of mathematics.

Dr Kyojin Choo currently Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Michigan, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Electrical and Micro Engineering in the School of Engineering (STI)

Kyojin Choo works in the field of micro- and nanoelectronics with a focus on the development of low-power integrated systems. He is an exceptionally creative and dynamic researcher with experience in industry, and his outstanding scientific and technical contributions will assist him in developing an innovative programme of teaching and research. His vision and commitment to building new academic and industrial partnerships are a major asset to EPFL.

Dr Victor Gorbenko currently Research Fellow at Stanford University, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Physics in the School of Basic Sciences (SB)

Victor Gorbenko's main domain of activity is Quantum Field Theory, with important implications to particle physics, cosmology and condensed matter Physics. His research has already contributed to important scientific findings, particularly in the area of Lagrangians in quantum chromodynamics. This young, very talented physicist shows exceptional potential and has the necessary abilities to succeed at EPFL. Both his expertise and his research project are making a key contribution to condensed matter physics and statistical physics.

Dr Georgios Moschidis currently Research Fellow at the University of California, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Mathematics in the School of Basic Sciences (SB)

Georgios Moschidis' work relates to the general theory of relativity and his research has already achieved important scientific results in areas such as Friedmann equations and anti-de Sitter space. This brilliant mathematician, who excels in the area of analysis and the general theory of relativity, has achieved an international reputation at an early age. His presence will enhance EPFL's efforts in this field and is also likely to attract students from a variety of disciplines.

Dr Philippe Schwaller currently Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Bern, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Chemistry in the School of Basic Sciences (SB)

Philippe Schwaller investigates how chemical processes can be simulated using artificial intelligence (AI). His research has a particular focus on the challenge of using artificial chemical intelligence to facilitate the discovery of new catalysts and organic materials. This talented researcher has invented important ways of applying AI methods. He belongs to a new generation of scientists with a very wide-ranging set of skills - in his case a combination of experimental research, computer science, materials science and chemistry.

Promotions at EPFL

Professor Maria Colombo currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Full Professor of Mathematics in the School of Basic Sciences (SB)

Maria Colombo's research investigates mathematical analysis in combination with probability theory, computational mathematics, statistics and machine learning. In addition to her central role in research, her outstanding leadership and the various grants she has obtained, Maria Colombo also makes a valuable contribution to different areas of EPFL. She is therefore regarded as a pillar of the Mathematics Institute and School. By making this appointment, EPFL is retaining a visionary, world-class researcher whom other universities would be glad to recruit.

Professor Elison Matioli currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Associate Professor of Electrical and Micro Engineering in the School of Engineering (STI)

Elison Matioli's research concerns wide-band-gap semiconductor technology. Using an innovative approach based on a combination of materials science, physics and electrical engineering, Elison Matioli has built up an internationally acclaimed research group in the field of electronic devices. He has owned five patents since 2016, plus another six from the period before he joined EPFL, and has also received numerous awards, such as the University Latsis Prize in 2020 and an ERC Starting Grant in 2015.

Award of the title of Professor

Dr Nicolas Macriscurrently Senior Scientist in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences at EPFL, as Adjunct Professor at EPFL (IC)

The main focus of Nicolas Macris' research is on applying methods from statistical physics to communication theory and theoretical computer science. He also works on quantum information theory. Nicolas Macris is one of the leading researchers in these fast-growing fields, which also fit in with the School's strategic orientation.