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The Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology has announced the appointment of professors at EPFL.
New appointments at EPFL
Professor Aziza Chaouni, currently Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, Canada, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Architecture and Sustainable Construction in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC)
Aziza Chaouni is regarded as a leading expert in sustainable architecture and design in countries in the Global South, especially in regions with limited resources and often difficult environmental conditions. She focuses on the development of innovative, inexpensive, thermally efficient construction methods and on strategies for the adaptive reutilisation of modern heritage buildings in Africa. Aziza Chaouni's work has won several awards and has been exhibited internationally. At EPFL Aziza Chaouni will make an important contribution to training architects and to a field of research that is of great importance to society.
Dr Rachel (Zhuojun) Huang, currently Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Texas in Austin, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering in the School of Basic Sciences (SB)
Rachel Huang is an expert in polymer science for energy-related applications. Her research focuses on the chemical development and characterisation of new materials to improve the safety and sustainability of lithium batteries, as well as on the modelling of electrochemistry at electrode-electrolyte interfaces. Her research program aiming at improving the resistance to oxidation as well as the recycling potential of battery components will stand at the forefront of global efforts toward the carbon neutrality objective at the horizon 2050. She is a highly creative scientist who has already achieved impressive results at a young age and has won several awards for her research. The appointment of Rachel Huang enables EPFL to strengthen its reputation as a leading research institution in the field of sustainable energy.
Professor Daniel McCurry, currently Associate Professor at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, USA, as Associate Professor of Water and Wastewater Chemistry in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC)
Daniel McCurry is a first-rate researcher and teacher in the field of environmental engineering, with a focus on environmental chemistry. His main research interest is the treatment of water resources, especially through oxidative processes. As an acknowledged expert in field of disinfection byproducts and the reuse of drinking water, he brings valuable specialist knowledge from California to Europe. Daniel McCurry is taking up the professorship as a joint post at EPFL and Eawag. His appointment will enhance the collaboration between the two institutions, and his background will strengthen the ties with the Swiss environmental authorities and the Swiss water industries.
Dr Paloma Navarro Negredo, currently Postdoctoral Researcher at Stanford University, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Life Sciences in the School of Life Sciences (SV)
Paloma Navarro Negredo conducts neuroscientific research on the brain ageing process, particularly the cellular level, and has obtained fundamental results with regard to the molecular understanding of brain ageing. She uses cutting-edge methods and interdisciplinary approaches in her innovative research programme. These characteristics make her an greatcandidate for EPFL. Her research on T-cells and inflammation in the ageing brain also presents an ideal opportunity to foster the links between the neurosciences/neurotechnologies research groups and the laboratories of the Global Health Institute at EPFL.
Promotions at EPFL
Professor Jamie Paik, currently Associate Professor at EPFL, as Full Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the School of Engineering (STI)
Jamie Paik is an expert in the field of soft robotics with novel configurable structures and actuators. She leads the Reconfigurable Robotics Laboratory (RRL) at EPFL and is renowned for her pioneering research on self-morphing Robogami (robotic origami) that transforms its planar shape to 2D or 3D by folding in predefined patterns and sequences, just like the paper art, origami. Her research places particular emphasis on multi-degree-of-freedom haptic technologies, capable of interpreting subtle movements and reproducing delicate tactile sensations. Through her activities, she contributes to strengthening EPFL's innovative research in robotics.
Professor Katrin Beyer, currently Associate Professor at EPFL, as Full Professor of Civil Engineering in the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC)
Katrin Beyer is an internationally recognized authority in earthquake engineering, with a particular focus on masonry structures. Her research focuses on the seismic behaviour of unreinforced masonry, especially in historic buildings. By combining large-scale experimental testing with advanced numerical modelling, she has established her laboratory as a global leader in earthquake research on unreinforced masonry structures. Beyond her research achievements, Katrin Beyer makes an exemplary contribution to the School and to EPFL more broadly, currently serving as Dean of ENAC since January 2024.
