ETH AI Center Welcomes Eight New Members to Its Faculty

Earlier this month, we have welcomed eight new faculty members to ETH AI Center.

Prof. Dr. Christoph Hoelscher, currently serving as a Professor of Cognitive Science at ETH Zurich since 2013, is renowned for his extensive research in spatial cognition, wayfinding in built environments, and human-computer interaction. With a distinguished academic background including a doctorate and habilitation from the University of Freiburg, his career also spans significant roles in the IT industry and visiting positions at prestigious institutions like University College London and UC Santa Barbara. Prof. Hölscher is also actively involved in the academic community, contributing to the governing board of the Cognitive Science Society and co-chairing major conferences in the field.

Prof. Dr. Andreas Wenger, a distinguished professor at ETH Zurich, specializes in International and Swiss Security Policy. He completed his studies in history, political science, and German literature at the University of Zurich, where he also earned his doctorate. His dissertation focused on the role of nuclear weapons in the international system during the Cold War. Prof. Wenger has held the position of Director of the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich since 2002, a center renowned for its expertise in national and international security policy. His academic journey includes prestigious visiting scholar roles at Princeton University, Yale University, the Woodrow Wilson Center, and George Washington University. In addition to his research and leadership roles, Prof. Wenger contributes significantly to academia, overseeing programs in peace process mediation, military sciences, and public policy at ETH Zurich.

Prof. Dr. Valerio Mante, an esteemed Associate Professor of Neuroinformatics at the University of Zurich and Lecturer at ETH Zurich, is renowned for his pioneering research in the field of neuroinformatics. His work primarily focuses on exploring the behavioral and neural mechanisms of learning and cognition, employing innovative experimental and computer-assisted techniques that integrate data science. Recognized for his impressive scholarly contributions and active role in peer reviews for leading journals, Prof. Mante's appointment strengthens the collaboration between the Institute of Neuroinformatics, University of Zurich, and ETH Zurich. He also holds a dual professorship, further underscoring his significant influence in the academic sphere​.

Prof. Dr. Alexandre Refregier, a Professor at ETH Zurich since 2011, has an illustrious career in physics and astrophysics. He embarked on his academic journey at the University of Texas at Austin, earning a B.S. in Physics, followed by an M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. in Physics from Columbia University. His research tenure includes roles at Princeton University, the University of Cambridge, and CEA Saclay in France. In his current position, Prof. Refregier focuses on understanding dark energy and dark matter, two of the most enigmatic components of the universe. His work, which encompasses theoretical modeling, space mission development, and a variety of observational methods, aims to unravel the mysteries of the universe's large-scale structure, contributing significantly to the fields of astrophysics and cosmology​.

external page Prof. Dr. April Wang, appointed as a Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Educational Technology in the Department of Computer Science at ETH Zurich. A former doctoral student at the University of Michigan, USA, her research is primarily focused on the development and investigation of modern digital technologies. Her work is particularly noted for its emphasis on tools that enable efficient cooperation between data scientists. April Yi Wang also incorporates methods based on artificial intelligence in her research, staying at the forefront of increasingly complex digital and automated processes. Her contributions are enhancing ETH Zurich's reputation as a pioneer in the field of digitalisation​.

external page Prof. Dr. Giorgia Ramponi was a postdoctoral researcher at the ETH AI Center, where she focuses on reinforcement learning and multi-agent learning. Her academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Information Technology from Politecnico di Milano, where she graduated with honors, and a Master of Science in Computer Science from La Sapienza University, completed with cum laude honors. Ramponi's research in the fields of reinforcement learning and multi-agent systems positions her at the forefront of advancements in AI and machine learning at ETH Zurich. she is joining University of Zürich as an Assisstant Professor in ML.

external page Prof. Dr. Bernd Bickel, a leading figure in computational design, serves as a Full Professor at ETH Zurich and is affiliated with both the Department of Architecture and the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geomatic Engineering. With a Master's degree in Computer Science from ETH Zurich and a Ph.D. under the guidance of Prof. Markus Gross, he has held prominent positions including Professor at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria and Senior Staff Research Scientist at Google in Zurich. Prof. Bickel's research interests span computer graphics, robotics, machine learning, and digital fabrication. His work focuses on novel modeling and simulation methodologies, the development of efficient design algorithms for various materials and functional objects, and bridging the gap between the virtual and real worlds. His achievements in the field are underscored by prestigious recognitions like an Oscar in 2019 and an ERC Starting Grant in 2016.

Prof. Dr. Verena Zimmerman, serving as an Assistant Professor for Security, Privacy, and Society at ETH Zürich, is distinguished for her research in the human aspects of safety, IT security, and privacy. Her notable dissertation at TU Darmstadt focused on usable security, earning her two prestigious dissertation awards. Prof. Zimmermann's expertise extends to a range of security-related research projects, from smart home privacy to smart car handover tasks. Her academic contributions include visiting researcher positions at the Safety Science Innovation Lab in Australia and the Cybersecurity Division at Abertay University in Scotland. Recognized for her impactful work, she has published extensively on topics at the intersection of humans and technology, and her article advocating a shift to a "Human-as-Solution" cybersecurity mindset was awarded a prominent IANUS prize for scientific-technological peace and security research​​.

We're looking forward to working with you!