We Are ETH

Suzanne Thoma, executive president of Sulzer and an ETH Zurich alumna, shares her inspiring career journey as a leading figure in Swiss industry. She discusses the transformative role of engineering education in her leadership approach and the importance of female role models in the field. Thoma emphasizes the energy sector's growth and the pressing need for innovative solutions. Balancing career and family, she reflects on perseverance and encourages young women to pursue engineering, highlighting her formative experiences at ETH Zurich.

Remy Buser, CEO and co-founder of Bloom Biorenewables, shares his mission to revolutionize the chemical industry by replacing fossil carbon with renewable alternatives. He highlights the pressing need to defossilize materials and discusses the complex journey from petrochemicals to biomass. Remy also reflects on his time at ETH, the significance of political commitment in tackling climate change, and his adventures in understanding materials. His personal anecdotes offer a glimpse into his passion for sustainability and community in Zurich.

Climate scientist Wim Thiery discusses the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, the urgent need for climate action, and the role of climate scientists in litigation. He also shares insights on personalized climate impact, the use of AI in climate research, and preparing future generations for climate challenges.

Oriana Kraft, founder of Fem Technology, discusses the gender data gap in healthcare and FemTech's potential to revolutionize women's healthcare. She highlights the need for gender-specific care in medicine and Fem Technology's focus on reproductive health, autoimmune diseases, and cardiovascular health. The episode also covers her collaboration with Roche, the intersection of science and art, and her favorite spots in Zurich.

Meet Christophe Chautems, CTO of Nanoflex Robotics, bridging Mars rover expertise to medical robotics, revolutionising stroke treatment with magnetic technology.Christophe Chautems, CTO of Nanoflex Robotics, talks about the breakthrough medical robotics technology that uses magnets to navigate catheters in the treatment of strokes. With 15 years of experience in robotics, including at NASA, Christophe emphasises the importance of combining research with practical applications, underlining Nanoflex's commitment to advancing healthcare. Nanoflex's magnetic system is not only promising for strokes, but could revolutionise various medical procedures through the integration of AI.This is his story.Chapters(00:00) Introduction to Medical Robotics(08:24) Navigating the Vasculature(13:31) Time-Sensitive Stroke Treatment(24:21) The Importance of Integration and Learning

Join Etienne Jeoffroy, CEO of FENX, on a journey of sustainable materials innovation. Learn about the genesis of FENX's mineral foam technology, its potential to reduce building emissions, and the importance of collaboration. Discover Etienne's diverse interests, from his love of basketball to his commitment to sustainability.

Entrepreneur Daniel Naeff from ETH AI Center talks about angel investing, Switzerland's AI potential, and the new ETH Knowledge Network. They delve into balancing the benefits and risks of AI, navigating opportunities, and the value of newsletters and podcasts for AI insights.

Mariana Popescu, Assistant Professor of Digital Fabrication at TU Delft, discusses using knitting machines for construction, fabric formwork for concrete, and the Knit Candela project's impact on architecture. She explores parametric design, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovations in the construction industry, highlighting eco-friendly solutions and industry impact.

ETH Alumna Sandra Herrmann is an oceanographer, a geologist, a paleontologist, a pilot… and member of NASA's Analog Astronauts.Sandra Herrmann studied geology and palaeontology at TU Bergakademie Freiberg and completed her doctorate in natural sciences at ETH Zurich. She subsequently emigrated to the USA and spent 12 years working for the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) in various posts. Since October 2023, she has been conducting research at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego. Sandra explains what an analog astronaut is and shares her experience of spending 45 days in a space capsule as part of NASA's research on human behavior in stressful situations. She discusses the qualifications and application process to become an analog astronaut, and highlights the importance of cohesion, sleep, and hobbies on such missions. All of this makes her a strong candidate for future space missions…This is her story.Links:“Catucation” Catboss & Furrfriends, Cat talk RadioGlobe article: https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2023/12/globe-modern-adventurer.htmlChapters(00:00) Introduction and analog astronaut(01:15) NASA's analog astronaut program(02:39) Experiences in the space capsule(03:36) Becoming an analog astronaut(05:05) Experience as an oceanographer(08:17) Cohesion, sleep, and hobbies(11:29) Applying the three Key observations(15:12) Academic background and PhD(20:50) Commercial pilot's license(22:46) Childhood aspirations and curiosity(24:51) Favorite places in Zurich

Anne Scherer, co-founder of Delta Labs AG, discusses the importance of trust in human-machine interaction and the rapid development of AI. She emphasizes the need for increasing AI literacy in society and shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship. The podcast also explores the intersection of AI and creativity, offering recommendations for learning about AI.