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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 Nate (John Nathan) Foster, currently full Professor at Cornell University in Ithaca, USA, as Full Professor of Computer Science and Communication Systems in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences (STI)
Nate Foster is regarded as a pioneer in the development of domain-specific languages and verification tools for programmable networks - an area which now plays a key role in modernising the infrastructure of the internet and the cloud. He conducts research in both theoretical and practical areas and has significantly advanced the state of the art with regard to network accuracy and performance optimisation. In addition, he actively seeks collaborations with industry in order to find applications for his research findings. By appointing Nate Foster, EPFL is gaining an internationally recognised scientist and significantly expanding its expertise in the area of programming languages and networks.
Dr Cosima du Pasquier, currently Postdoctoral Researcher at Stanford University in California, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engieneering in the School of Engineering (STI)
Cosima du Pasquier's work is distinguished by an integrated approach that combines expertise in advanced manufacturing, computational modeling, and user-centered design. She develops soft-material devices capable of adapting to the human body through precise control of anisotropy and the distribution of mechanical properties. Her innovations include new clean 3D printing techniques, and multi-material knitting to create smart textiles with haptic feedback. By collaborating with EPFL experts in robotics, textiles, and human-machine interfaces, Cosima du Pasquier will foster interdisciplinary innovation and help position EPFL at the forefront of embodied robotics and sustainable wearable technologies.
Dr Zuzanna Kozicka, currently Postdoctoral Researcher at Harvard Medical School and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Chemical Biology in the School of Basic Sciences (SB)
Zuzanna Kozicka conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of chemical biology, structural biology, genetic screening and functional genomics. She has already achieved remarkable results in elucidating the mechanisms governing protein-ligase interactions, unravelling a novel mode of action for kinas inhibitors. She received several prestigious awards, including the Science/AAAS and SciLifeLab Prize for Young Scientists (2023), the Ed Fischer PhD Prize (2023), the EFMC-YSN PhD Prize (2023). In 2023, she was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe - Science list. At EPFL, she will explore the therapeutic potential of targeted protein degradation, thereby strengthening the institution's excellence in chemical biology.
Dr Miranda Wei, currently Postdoctoral Researcher at Princeton University, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Communication Systems in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences (IC)
Miranda Wei's award-winning research takes place at the interface between IT security, the protection of digital privacy, and human-machine interaction, with a particular focus on combating online abuse and its social impacts. Her interdisciplinary research combines technical accuracy with social understanding in order to address the social harm associated with new technologies. The aim is to create a safer, fairer digital environment for everyone. Through the appointment of Miranda Wei, the School is strengthening a research area that is of strategic importance to EPFL and to Switzerland in general.
Dr Jie Zhou, MIT graduate and currently Postdoctoral Researcher at Yale University, USA, as Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Technology Management at the College of Management of Technology (CDM).
Jie Zhou's research studies the interaction between technological strategy and government policy, particularly in the digital innovation and digital economies context. She uses large-scale data, field experiments, and structural modeling to empirically examine how digital infrastructure, platform dynamics, and government policies influence innovation and market outcomes. Jie Zhou is a brilliant young researcher who is already working with leading researchers and Nobel laureates in her field. Her appointment represents a great asset to both CDM and EPFL.
Promotions at EPFL
Professor Nicolas Boumal, currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Associate Professor of Mathematics in the School of Basic Sciences (SB)
Nicolas Boumal is an internationally recognised expert in the field of continuous optimisation. His contributions to the theory of the so-called "benign" non-convex optimisation have significantly advanced our understanding of why standard methods often perform remarkably well in practice, despite the lack of strong theoretical guarantees. Nicolas Boumal's research is not only highly valuable to the scientific community but also finds practical applications in the applied sciences and engineering. Deeply committed to teaching and mentorship, Nicolas Boumal plays a key role within EPFL's School of Basic Sciences.
Professor George Candea, currently Associate Professor at EPFL, as Full Professor of Computer Science and Communication Systems in the School of Computer and Communication Sciences (IC)
George Candea's research focuses on the development of reliable, high-performance operating systems that can withstand outages, security threats and unpredictable workloads. He holds nine patents in this area and strives to achieve concrete results through combining theoretical advances with practical applications. His vision for the future involves integrating AI into the design and analysis of systems to improve their scalability and automation. George Candea enriches EPFL not only through his top-class, important research but also through his untiring commitment to teaching and supporting his students.
Professor Michele Ceriotti, currently Associate Professor at EPFL, as Full Professor of Materials Science in the School of Engineering (STI)
Michele Ceriotti has made major contributions to the integration of machine learning into atomistic simulations, improving both their accuracy and efficiency. He has developed methods capable of predicting electronic properties and enhancing the transferability of models across different systems. His research combines artificial intelligence with traditional physical approaches, and he has introduced tools to estimate the uncertainty of predictions and better assess their reliability. These advances are applied to a wide range of materials, from molecules to high-entropy alloys and solid electrolytes. With his group, Michele Ceriotti also collaborates with industry to integrate these innovations into research and development.
Professor Roland Logé, currently Associate Professor at EPFL, as Full Professor of Materials Science in the School of Engineering (STI)
Roland Logé stands out for major scientific contributions to the understanding and control of the microstructural evolution of metals, developing innovative methods that also have a tangible impact on the performance and reliability of materials in both scientific and industrial fields. For example, he developed a novel process that integrates laser shock peening directly into laser-based additive manufacturing. Through his original approaches and his drive in studying thermomechanical metallurgical phenomena, Roland Logé is a leading scientific figure. At EPFL, he helps to strengthen important academic collaborations and foster innovative research.
Professor Mahsa Shoaran, currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Associate Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the School of Engineering (STI)
Mahsa Shoaran's research addresses crucial challenges at the intersection of circuit design and algorithm development, with a particular focus on biomedical and neural interfaces. In her Integrated Neurotechnologies Laboratory, she conducts cutting-edge studies on the development of next-generation neurotechnologies for the treatment of disorders of the human central and peripheral nervous systems. Mahsa Shoaran is considered a leader and a rising star in her field and has received several awards, including an ERC Starting Grant in 2022.
Professor Giulia Tagliabue, currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at EPFL, as Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the School of Engineering (STI)
Giulia Tagliabue leads the Laboratory of Nanoscience for Energy Technologies, where she conducts research on nanoscience applied to energy technologies, nanophotonics, and the nanoscale control of energy conversion processes. In her work, she uses light as an energy source and develops techniques related to the capture, conversion, and storage of light energy. Her research ranges from understanding fundamental concepts to building demonstration devices. Giulia Tagliabue has received several major international awards, including the prestigious EPFL Latsis Prize in 2024.
Award of the title of "Professor" at EPFL
Professor François Labourie, currently Full Professor of Mathematics at Université Côte d'Azur, France, as Adjunct Professor in the School of Basic Sciences (SB)
François Labourie's research activity covers a broad range of domains, from geometric analysis to the study of discrete subgroups of Lie groups and to Anosov flow theory. His work has played a central role in the development of what is now known as the superior Teichmüller theory. François Labourie's presence at EPFL will foster collaborations within the Institute of Mathematics and help developing new international partnerships, thanks to his vast and active network.
