Ten professors appointed

Professor Rosa Barba (*1972), currently Professor at the University of Bremen, Germany, as Full Professor of Art in Space and Time in the Department of Architecture. Rosa Barba is concerned with the function of historical, artistic, technological and scientific documents and their transformation into artistic artefacts. Her work has been represented in international museum exhibitions for years. In addition to holding the professorship at Bremen and a visiting professorship at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), she is regularly engaged as a visiting artist at international art colleges and as a guest lecturer. Her interdisciplinary and experimental approach will enrich the Department of Architecture.

Professor Yuansi Chen (*1990), currently Assistant Professor at Duke University, North Carolina, USA, as Associate Professor of Statistics in the Department of Mathematics. Yuansi Chen’s research covers a very wide range of topics in statistics, the foundations of data science, and mathematics. In 2020 he achieved a spectacular breakthrough in the area of geometry and analysis by proving an almost constant lower bound of the isoperimetric coefficient in the Kannan-Lovász-Simonovits (KLS) conjecture. Through the appointment of Yuansi Chen, ETH Zurich and the Department of Mathematics are gaining an exceptional member of staff and a gifted teacher, who embodies a perfect blend of enthusiasm, intuition and mathematical precision.

Dr Michelle Frei (*1991), currently Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of California, San Diego, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Chemical Biology and Molecular Imaging in the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences. Michelle Frei’s research lies in the interdisciplinary area between chemistry and biology. Her aim is to develop chemically inspired tools to make complex cellular processes such as signal transduction and metabolism visible by means of fluorescence microscopy, and then study them. She has been awarded a variety of prizes and fellowships. Her appointment will help strengthen the Department and foster important links within and between departments, particularly in cell biology and biophysics.

Dr Marie Schoelmerich (*1989), currently Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of California, Berkeley, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Environmental Microbiology in the Department of Environmental Systems Science. Marie Schoelmerich’s research deals with biochemical and bioenergetic questions relating to anaerobic bacteria that use ancient metabolic pathways. The main research focus of her group at ETH Zurich will be on anaerobic microorganisms which play a key role in the CO₂ and CH₄ cycle. This appointment will ideally complement interdisciplinary research within the Department, as well as strengthening links with the Department of Biology, the Department of Health Sciences and Technology, and Eawag.

April Yi Wang (*1995), currently a doctoral student at the University of Michigan, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Educational Technology in the Department of Computer Science. April Yi Wang’s research focuses on the investigation and further development of modern digital technologies, with particular reference to tools that enable and facilitate efficient cooperation between data scientists. She also uses methods based on artificial intelligence, thus working at the cutting edge at a time when increasingly complex processes are being digitalised and automated. The wide reach of April Yi Wang’s work will further enhance the profile of ETH Zurich as a scientific pioneer in digitalisation.

Professor Daniel Farinotti (*1982), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich and Group Leader at WSL, as Associate Professor of Glaciology in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering. Daniel Farinotti investigates the evolution of glaciers and the implications for water resources. His most important contributions include developing a method of computing ice thickness distribution in individual glaciers (known as the “Farinotti method” and used by the glaciology community). His research is an ideal match with the Department’s main strategic topics. Furthermore, Daniel Farinotti’s expertise and worldwide reputation play a decisive part in ensuring ETH Zurich’s national and international role as a leading institution in the field of glaciology.

Professor Robert Finger (*1981), currently Associate Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Agricultural Economics and Policy in the Department of Management, Technology and Economics and in the Department of Environmental Systems Science. Robert Finger’s research lies at the interface between economics and agricultural science, and contributes to more resilient and sustainable agricultural and food systems. He has won numerous awards and enjoys an outstanding international reputation, which is reflected not only in his success at attracting research funding but also in the numerous invitations he receives to speak at conferences and serve on scientific bodies. In addition, Robert Finger has a strong commitment to public outreach and science communication.

Professor Guillaume Habert (*1977), currently Associate Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Sustainable Construction in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering. Guillaume Habert’s research focuses on the sustainability of buildings and infrastructures. His aim is to implement sustainable construction practices using innovative building techniques and sustainable materials, based on a detailed analysis of the technical, economic and sociocultural situation. His research has already led to a spin-off as well as to software and a number of tools for use in the humanitarian sector. At ETH Zurich, this acclaimed researcher has also succeeded in building a successful research team and an extensive cooperation network.

Professor Mark Tibbitt (*1985), currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at ETH Zurich, as Associate Professor of Macromolecular Engineering in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering. Mark Tibbitt investigates the development and characterisation of macromolecular materials used among other things for solving clinical problems in areas such as medication provision, regenerative medicine and biomedical diagnostics. His academic output is outstanding and is published in peer-reviewed articles in the leading technical journals. In addition, he is a widely esteemed and dedicated lecturer who has won numerous awards, including the Golden Owl at ETH Zurich in 2019.

Professor Jing Wang (*1979), currently Associate Professor at ETH Zurich and Group Leader at Empa, as Full Professor of Air Quality and Particle Technology in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering. Jing Wang’s broad-based research covers air quality monitoring and control, aerosol measurement and characterisation, the detection and treatment of biological pathogens, and pollution abatement. His international reputation is reflected in his impressive list of publications, with citation rates among the highest in this area of research. He is the owner of three patents and serves on several committees. His commitment to teaching is particularly worthy of note.