|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Memorable experiences |
Dear readers,
It was a busy weekend at the department: On Friday, 22 March 2024 the D-INFK Master’s Graduation Ceremony took place. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to 159 graduates from the programmes Computer Science, Data Science and Cyber Security. 115 graduates attended the ceremony in the Audi Max and the following cocktail reception with their families to celebrate their achievement.
One day after the graduation ceremony, it was time for the seventh edition of the Informatiktage. Throughout the week, including the open house day on Saturday, around 1000 people joined to get to know our world of computer science. The programme on Saturday offered something for people of all ages. Visitors were able to attend programming workshops, lectures, a game lounge and browse around the exhibition area. A big thank you to all faculty, staff and students who helped make both events memorable and a success.
Lastly, I’d like to wish everyone a happy Easter! I hope you spend a wonderful weekend with your loved ones, hopefully with lots of sunshine and full Easter baskets.
Explore further news and events at D-INFK in this edition of READ.ME – and don’t forget to check out the new ETH Respect campaign in the Tip of the month section!
Best regards,
Kenny Paterson
Department Head
Title image: "Siehst du, was deine Augen sehen?": A picture from this year's Informatiktage, credit: Andreas Eggenberger for ETH Zurich
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Faculty and staff |
We extend a warm welcome to all new staff members who have joined our department in the last month. We look forward to working with you.
Our new staff
To the staff who are leaving us, we wish you the best of luck in your future careers and hope to work with you again someday. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Luck always plays a role in a research career"
|
|
|
| In a series of interviews, we talked to people who decided to pursue an academic career after studying computer science. In the first part, Professor Dennis Hofheinz explains why he chose this path, the hurdles he had to overcome, and how he now masters the tasks of Director of Studies, the new role he took on in January 2024. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Congratulations, Huayi Duan
|
|
|
|
Huayi Duan, who was previously working at D-INFK as a postdoc in the Network Security Group of Adrian Perrig, has been promoted to established researcher this month. His research interests span network security, privacy and trust enhancing technologies, as well as applications, and foundations of blockchain. Congratulations on this new role, Huayi! |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome, Xi Wang
|
|
|
| This month, Xi started as a postdoc in the Computer Vision and Geometry Group. Prior to this, she was working as an ETH Postdoc Fellow. Her research focuses mainly on egocentric vision and multimodal learning. We wish you a great start, Xi! |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Welcome, Xavier Denis
|
|
|
| Xavier joined Peter Müller's group as a postdoc on 1 March. Before coming to ETH Zurich, he did his doctorate at the Université Paris Saclay. Xavier's research interests are program verification and ownership typing. It's great to have you on board, Xavier! |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Farewell, Tianxin Tang
|
|
|
| Tianxin will leave D-INFK on 21 March 2024. She has worked as a postdoc in the Applied Cryptography Group for the last two years and will now take up a new position in academia. We wish you all the best on your future career path, Tianxin. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Passed doctoral examinations |
Marcin Copik (Prof. Hoefler), 04.03.
Vaclav Rozhon (Prof. Steger), 08.03.
Xianyao Zhang (Prof. Gross), 18.03.
Congratulations to our newly minted Doctors of Sciences ETH Zurich! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Prizes and awards |
Congratulations to our faculty, researchers and students who have won prizes, awards and fellowships for their work. We are proud of you and thank you for asserting our reputation.
Browse our award section |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Ueli Maurer chosen as SATW member |
| For his fundamental contributions to cryptography and information security, Professor Ueli Maurer from the Institute of Theoretical Computer Science has been appointed Full Member of the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW). Big congratulations, Ueli! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Fritz Kutter Prize |
| Every year, a cash prize is awarded from the Fritz Kutter Fund to honour valuable practice-oriented computer science theses. The prize can be awarded to any graduate of a Swiss university. Important note: Submissions can only be made by professors. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Stories of the month |
Computer science as a core subject
Prof. em. Walter Gander, Prof. Dennis Komm, Prof. em. Juraj Hromkovic
Last year, it was decided that computer science would become a core subject in Swiss baccalaureate schools from the 2024/25 school year onwards. In this conversation, three generations of D-INFK professors who have committed themselves to this cause look at the past and future of the school subject of computer science. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New app unmasks forged documents
|
|
|
| Professor David Basin
Researchers from the Information Security group under David Basin have developed a smartphone app to put a spoke in the wheel of forgers. Thanks to the app, physical documents and three-dimensional objects can be authenticated using a normal smartphone. Extracts from the debt enforcement register of the City of Zurich are being made forgery-proof as part of a pilot project. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
AI detects heart defects in newborns
|
|
|
| Professor Julia Vogt
Researchers from the Medical Data Science Group at D-INFK, led by Julia Vogt, and researchers from KUNO Klinik St. Hedwig in Regensburg have developed an algorithm that provides an automatic and reliable method of detecting a certain heart defect in newborns. The machine-learning model could potentially be extended to other organs and diseases. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Faster diagnosis of endometriosis with AI
|
|
|
| Dr Fabian Laumer
Fabian Laumer from D-INFK and gynaecologist Michael Bajka founded the spin-off dAIgnose, to diagnose endometriosis more quickly in the future with the help of algorithms. They are supported by the ETH AI Center and their two co-founders, D-INFK Professor Joachim Buhmann and endometriosis specialist Julian Metzler. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tip of the month |
Respect – Reflect – Respond
At ETH Zurich, people with different perspectives study, do research and work together. Through a culture of mutual respect, we cultivate an inclusive environment for everyone to thrive. The Respect Programme, emphasising respect, reflection, and response, guides ETH members towards a culture of inclusive collaboration. The programme offers resources and dialogues to promote respect within the university community and to help shape ETH's culture through daily actions and participation. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Upcoming events |
Distinguished Colloquium: Towards Intelligent Dexterous Robots, 28 March, 16.00–17.30, HG E 5
Deep learning has led to breakthroughs in various fields, but applying it to robotics is challenging due to the need for robots to learn from their own experiences. Prof. Jitendra Malik from UC Berkeley suggests training robot skills in simulation and transferring them to the real world. As an exception, the talk will take place on Thursday at the ETH main building.
More information here
Shaping the Tomorrow of Women in Computer Science, 9 April, 17.00, Dozentenfoyer HG
Join CSNOW on 9 April to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Remarkable speakers like Sarah Springman, Lucia Terrenghi, and Mihaela van der Schaar, will give talks and discuss the role of women in computer science. After that, a panel discussion with Olga Sorkine-Hornung and D-INFK students will follow. The event finishes with an apéro, providing the opportunity to celebrate and network. Mark your calendar and join us to honor women's contributions to computer science.
More information here
Distinguished Colloquium, 10 April, 15.00–16.00, HG D 1.2
Prof. Mihaela van der Schaar from the University of Cambridge will come to D-INFK to provide insight into her current research, which is centered around machine learning for healthcare. As an exception, the talk will take place on Wednesday at the ETH main building.
More information here
Future of Paediatric Health Research Spotlight Day, 19 April, 09.00–17.30, Hotel ODELYA, Basel
The Basel Research Centre for Child Health organises a one-day seminar and networking event that will bring together researchers across disciplines with a common focus on improving child and adolescent health. The day will include talks and keynotes from BRCCH Postdoctoral Excellence Programme researchers and established researchers. During lunch, attendees will have the opportunity to attend a workshop about nurturing research teams.
More information and registration here
Distinguished Colloquium: AI-Resilient Interfaces and the Value of Variation, 22 April, 16.15–17.15, CAB G 61
This lecture addresses the need for interfaces that help users deal with AI's mistakes effectively. Prof. Elena Glassman from Harvard School of Engineering & Applied Sciences discusses the challenges and benefits of creating such interfaces, proposing to use Variation Theory and Analogical Learning Theory for design guidance.
More information here
Eco Hackathon AI Center, 17–31 May, 09.00–18.30, ETH AI Center
Embark on a 2-week journey to design machine learning-based environmental insights, guided by ecologists and technical mentors. The best submissions will be featured in the competition’s final, in July; in an academic paper; as well as in a poster session, to be held at the AI Center. Participation is free, coding skills are a pre-requisite. You can also share your coding skills and apply to be a hackathon coach.
More information and registration |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Past events |
|
|
|
|
Informatiktage 2024
|
|
|
| On 23 March, the CAB opened its doors to provide insights into the world of computer science. There were a variety of workshops, guided tours, lectures and an exhibition area. Throughout the whole week, around 1000 attendees took part and showed huge interest. A big thank you to everyone who made this event such a great success and we are already looking forward to next year! |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Master's Degree Graduation Ceremony
|
|
|
| Congratulations to our 159 Master's graduates! The ceremony took place in the Audi Max on 22 March 2024. Study director Dennis Hofheinz moderated the ceremony, which featured speeches from Department Head Kenny Paterson and Alumnus Michael Schläpfer. After the ceremony, the graduates gathered together with friends and family in the main hall for a cocktail reception. Pictures from the event are available in the photo gallery. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kontaktparty 2024
|
|
|
|
On 16 March, around 100 companies connected with computer science students seeking internships, thesis topics, or career opportunities at the Kontaktparty. There were D-INFK spin-offs present, such as Scandit, Auterion, and Vezoo, along with many D-INFK graduates, for example, Reto Conconi, CTO and partner at Borm Informatik, who experienced the event as a great success. Congratulations to the organiser Alex Schlieper and the entire Kontaktparty team! |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Global Lecture Women’s Day
|
|
|
| The ETH Global Lecture on International Women's Day 2024 delved into the transformative role of women in shaping our world across diverse fields. The event celebrated International Women's Day by highlighting the indispensable impact of women in fostering positive change in science, technology, politics, and environmental stewardship. Among the speakers was Professor Menna El-Assady from our department. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
20 years ZISC
|
|
|
|
On 6 March, The ZISC center celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special event and a networking Apero at ETH Zurich’s Audi Max and Dozentenfoyer. There were many different speakers including Turing-award winner Adi Shamir, and D-INFK faculty members Srdjan Capkun, Kenny Paterson and Florian Tramèr, to name a few. A big thank you to all the people who joined this special celebration and made it such a success. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Open positions |
Postdoc Opportunities in Efficient AI and Privacy Preserving AI at MSR Cambridge
Are you passionate about advancing the frontiers of AI research? Join the residency programme at Microsoft Research Cambridge and contribute to cutting-edge projects in Efficient AI and Privacy Preserving AI. They are looking for postdoctoral researchers to work on groundbreaking projects aimed at enhancing the efficiency, interpretability, and privacy of large language models.
Apply for the AI Efficiency programme.
Apply for the AI Parallelisation programme.
Apply for the Privacy Preserving AI programme.
VIS job mailing list
Are you a student interested in open positions, full-time or part-time, and internships? Then the job mailing list by the Association of Computer Science Students (VIS) is for you. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| This is a spontaneous, light-hearted and fun segment, where we can share bits and pieces that we see along the way. We are also open to suggestions and submissions from our community! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Spotted: the Information Security Group defying gravity |
| To take their minds off difficult tasks and simultaneously get some exercise in, some group members like to practice their pull-ups in the CNB corridors. It has become a habit that they now do three times a week. How do you make use of your break? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| D-INFK in the news |
| • | | D-INFK alumnus Kevin Borgolte
RUB News: Kevin Borgolte möchte softwarebasierte Systeme verbessern
Read news |
| • | | D-INFK alumnus Dominik Blunschy
Inside IT: "Mich stört, wie analog der Parlamentsbetrieb ist"
Read interview |
| • | | ETH AI Center, D-INFK alumnus Urs Hölzle, Google Schweiz CEO Christine Antlanger-Winter
NZZ: 20 Jahre Google in Zürich: Tech-Gigant baut Zusammenarbeit mit der ETH aus
Read article |
| • | | Prof. Julia Vogt
Handelszeitung: Zürcher Forscher entwickeln KI zur Diagnose von Herzfehlern
Read article |
| • | | Sandra Tobler, co-founder of D-INFK spin-off Futurae Technologies
Fintech News: 10 Female Founders Shaping the Swiss Fintech Landscape
Read more |
| • | | Prof. Torsten Hoefler, doctoral student Patrick Iff
The Next Platform: Hexamesh - Chiplet topologies inspired by nature
Read news |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
