ETH board begins strategic planning for 2012-2016

The board of ETH Zürich, the body with responsibility for the management and supervision of the two universities and four research institutes that fall under the ETH Domain, has begun planning for 2012–2016, in which it will lay down the medium-term scientific and fiscal objectives for teaching, research and knowledge transfer.

The board discussed the general outline of the plan during an annual retreat, defining the strategic focal points for life science and biotechnology, energy, environment, sustainability, consumption of resources, nanotechnology, materials science, and information and communication technologies, based on the input from the universities and research institutes under the ETH Domain.

A synopsis of the development prospects of the six independent institutions of the ETH was drawn up and planned initiatives and infrastructural projects, such as the high-performance computing network, the free electron laser plant and the Blue Brain project were discussed.

The ETH Board also discussed in detail a request from the Head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs to consider adopting a common branding for the institutions in the ETH Domain. The board feels that the existing names and brands of the two universities and four research institutes should be retained and remain in the foreground, as they have national and international recognition.

At the same time, it is in favour of strengthening the collective image. This is neither aimed at, nor the result of, any change in the legal structure of the ETH Domain and its institutions; the fusion of institutions in the ETH Domain was, and is not, at issue. However, the ETH Board would like to highlight the Swiss character of the six institutions and their collective affiliation.

The board also appointed the following professors:      

Full professors of ETH Zürich:   

• Prof. Dr. Antonio Lanzavecchia (*1951), founding director of the Institute of Biomedical Research in Bellinzona, was appointed as full professor of human immunology. Antonio Lanzavecchia is an internationally recognised expert on cellular and molecular human immunology. The techniques he established for cloning human T and B lymphocytes and the methods for producing antibodies against the SARS corona virus and the H5N1 avian flu virus are prime examples of hypothesis-driven research using innovative, quantitative methods. Lanzavecchia was awarded the EMBO medal in 1988 and the Cloëtta Prize in 1999. Lanzavecchia’s chair receives external funding and coincides with the strengthening of the academic and institutional collaboration between the IRB and the ETH Domain.     

• Prof. Dr. Raffaele Mezzenga (*1972), currently associate professor at the University of Fribourg, was appointed as full professor of food and soft materials. Raffaele Mezzenga is a highly creative and productive researcher in the field of complex food systems. Mezzenga’s innovative approach combines the small-angle X-ray method with spectroscopic analysis and electron microscopy to determine self-organizing structural mechanisms in food. Mezzenga’s research has produced four patents to date.   

Assistant professors of ETH Zurich:   

• Prof. Fabio Gramazio (*1970) and Prof. Matthias Kohler (*1968) were appointed as assistant professors (50 per cent each) of architecture and digital fabrication. Fabio Gramazio and Matthias Kohler are two internationally recognised and well-connected architects in the field of procedural design tools and computerized architecture. They caused a sensation with their Christmas illuminations in Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse and their spectacular contribution to the Swiss pavilion at the 2008 architecture biennial in Venice.     

• Prof. Dr. Samuel C. Zeeman (*1970), currently tenure track assistant professor, was appointed as assistant professor of plant biochemistry. Samuel C. Zeeman established one of the world’s leading labs for carbohydrate metabolism at ETH Zürich’s department of biology. He won the Charles Albert Shull Award from the American Society of Plant Biologists for his innovative research in 2008 and the Golden DNA Award from the Biology Student Association for his excellent teaching skills.   

Tenure track assistant professor of ETH Zürich:

• Dr. Laura Maria Nyström (*1977), currently a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki, Finland, was appointed as a tenure track assistant professor of food biochemistry. Laura Maria Nyström is an internationally recognised and well-connected basic researcher in the field of cereal contents and dietary fibers for basic plant foods like rye, barley and oats. She has headed two EU projects (Healthgrain, EuroFIR) on cereal chemistry. Together with Shana Sturla, who was appointed associate professor of food and dietary toxicology by the ETH Board on June 3 2009, Laura Maria Nyström’s professorship replaces Professor Renato Amadò’s previous professorship for food chemistry.