Appointment of EPFL professors

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Appointment of  s - 2024 EPFL/Alain Herzog - CC-BY-SA 4.0
Appointment of s - 2024 EPFL/Alain Herzog - CC-BY-SA 4.0
The Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology has announced the appointment of professors at EPFL.

Professor Rolf Holderegger, currently Adjunct Professor at ETH Zurich, as Full Professor of Conservation Biology in the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich and in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering at EPFL (ENAC)
Since 2011, Rolf Holderegger has been Head of the Biodiversity and Conservation Biology research unit at the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL). In collaboration with partners such as the federal government, cantons and municipalities, he and his research unit develop scientific foundations for management strategies to protect biodiversity and natural resources in Switzerland and internationally. Rolf Holderegger was a member of the WSL Directorate from 2011 to 2023. He takes up the post of Director of WSL on 1 October 2024.

Professor Dimitrios Karampinos, currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at the Technical University of Munich, Germany, as Associate Professor of Electrical and Micro Engineering and Physics at the School of Engineering (STI) and the School of Basic Sciences (SB)

Dimitrios Karampinos is an internationally recognized expert in body magnetic resonance imaging. His methods for magnetic resonance image acquisition and reconstruction, as well as signal modeling have been translated into clinical studies to improve the diagnosis and understanding of musculoskeletal disorders, metabolic diseases and body oncology. His expertise at the interface of electronic engineering and physics will contribute to strengthening EPFL as well as collaborations with scientific and clinical research partners.

Dr Federica Zeni, currently Economist at the World Bank in Washington D.C., USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Finance at the College of Management of Technology (CDM)
The main focus of Federica Zeni’s research is on sustainable finance with particular attention to the topics of green securities, the effects of CO2 on firm’s green transition or the complementarity between environmental policies and sustainable finance in fostering the green transition. With her solution-oriented approach, mathematical background and deep insight into the political dimensions of sustainable finance, Federica Zeni enriches research into climate finance, corporate finance and environmental economics at EPFL.

Dr Yujia Zhang, currently Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Electrical and Micro Engineering at the School of Engineering (STI)
Yujia Zhang’s research activities focus on controlling the movement and concentration of ions for the creation of synthetic devices interfacing with the living matter. Yujia Zhang has already made major contributions in the fields of micro and nano bio manufacturing, implantable and degradable devices, and biomaterials. His expertise will strengthen EPFL visibility in the field of microsystems for the control and analysis of fluids and biological materials and will contribute to the development of interdisciplinary applications in these domains.

Promotions at EPFL

Professor Maartje Bastings, currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering Sciences and Technology (STI)
Maartje Bastings is an internationally recognized expert in the field of DNA nanotechnology. She uses DNA to create nanomaterials that present exceptional precision and selectivity in functional interactions with biointerfaces. Besides providing fundamental insights, her research allows to develop materials that can function as specialized components in future diagnostics. She received an ERC Starting Grant in 2021. Through her activities, she will continue to strengthen quality teaching and innovative research at EPFL.

Professor Giovanni D’Angelo, currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Associate Professor of Life Sciences in the School of Life Sciences (SV)
Giovanni D’Angelo investigates the cell biology of lipids and lipid-like substances in cells. His innovative research has a particular focus on specific signatures of cellular lipid compositions: cell lipotypes. The resulting findings about lipid-defined metabolic states have far-reaching implications for research into diseases. His work in this previously little investigated field was awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant. Giovanni D’Angelo has not only achieved international recognition but also plays a full part in teaching and institutional activities at EPFL.


Professor Kevin Sivula, currently Associate Professor at EPFL, as Full Professor of Chemical Process Engineering in the School of Basic Sciences (SB)
Kevin Sivula is internationally recognised as one of the best-known researchers in the field of photoelectrochemistry and photocatalysis for water splitting and carbon dioxide reduction. He focuses in particular on the composition and morphology of auto-assembled semiconductor materials in order to develop new, cost-effective materials. His innovations in relation to semiconductors contribute to sustainable electricity production from solar energy. With his solutionand application-oriented approach to basic research and his commitment to teaching, Kevin Sivula will make important contributions to the School of basic sciences as a full professor.

Professor Mats Julius Stensrud, currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Associate Professor of Statistics in the School of Basic Sciences (SB)

Mats Stensrud’s research programme in biostatistics, epidemiology and medicine exploits his expertise in all three areas to remarkable effect. By translating important practical challenges into formal mathematical problems, and by rigorously resolving these problems, Mats Stensrud is able to contribute innovative solutions that impact both statistical methodology and the original application areas. He has won multiple awards for his highly regarded research and is acknowledged as one of the leading biostatisticians of his generation. As an associate professor at EPFL he will continue to pursue his unique approach to research, while also initiating and leading interdisciplinary programmes.

Award of the title of Professor

Dr. Emmanuel Denarié, currently Senior Scientist at EPFL, is appointed Adjunct Professor at EPFL’s Faculty of the Natural, Architectural and Built Environment (ENAC).
Emmanuel Denarié is focusing his activities on Ultra-High-Performance Fiber Reinforced Concretes (UHPFRC), a field in which he has pioneered research, teaching and practical applications in Switzerland and abroad. In this way, he is helping to unite the fields of materials science and structural engineering. He has also played a key role in the development of numerous national and international guidelines for UHPFRC. Over the past 30 years, he has built up an excellent worldwide reputation at the forefront of this field.

Professor Olivier Michielin, currently Full Professor at the University of Geneva and Head of the Department of Oncology as well as Head of the Precision Oncology Service at the Geneva University Hospitals, as Adjunct Professor in the School of Life Sciences at EPFL (SV)
Olivier Michielin is a globally acclaimed scientist, both for his clinical expertise in the treatment of melanoma and for his solid scientific profile in personalised oncology. He introduced the use of the latest in silico big data analysis to clinical studies of melanoma cells, achieving groundbreaking results.

Award of the title of "Professor of Practice"

Claudia Devaux, co-founder of Devaux & Devaux Architectes in Paris, France, as Professor of Practice in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering at EPFL (ENAC)

Claudia Devaux is an internationally renowned architect and expert in twentieth-century listed buildings made from reinforced concrete. She is known in particular for her interdisciplinary approach and innovative ideas with regard to restoration, and she has an exceptional portfolio to her credit. In addition to passing on to her students her methodology for intervening in existing structures, based on extensive studies of the building as well as its surroundings and historical development, Claudia Devaux will also contribute to EPFL’s interdisciplinary programme.

Dr Laurent-Dominique Piveteau, CEO of Debiotech SA in Lausanne, as Professor of Practice at the College of Management of Technology at EPFL (CDM)
Alongside his work for Debiotech SA, which develops innovative medical devices for biotech, medtech and pharmaceutical companies in a wide variety of fields such as diabetes, dialysis, or drug delivery, Laurent-Dominique Piveteau is also a non-executive director of two medical instrument start-ups. With a solid academic training in basic science, engineering & management, Laurent-Dominique Piveteau has multiple years’ experience of successfully leading R&D teams, product and business development efforts and new company creation, also resulting in multiple submitted patents and scientific publications.