Alumni Awards

Discover the portrait of Leila Schwery-Bou-Diab.

NICOLAS CUDRÉ-MAUROUX, MX’85, PHD MX’88 

What is the relationship between a bobsleigh world champion and an EPFL student? Answer: the study of materials. It was in reading an interview with Silvio Giobellina, a bobsledder seeking to im-prove the performance of his equipment, that Nicolas Cudré-Mauroux decided to contact him. The result was a 10-year collaboration, resulting in a bronze medal at the 1984 Olympic Games for the athlete and a doctorate in 1988 for the student.
An experience that was testament to Nicolas Cudré-Mauroux’s expertise
and passion. For 27 years, he put these two qualities to good use at the DuPont chemistry group, specialised in polymer materials. It was a career that, in addition to Geneva, took him to the United States, Canada and Denmark, filling positions ranging from R&D to acquisitions and Europe Regional Business Director for Advanced Fibers and Nonwovens. His career took on a new dimension in 2015 when he was appointed as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Solvay, a world leader in specialty chemicals. His mission is to align the structure of Solvay’s R&D with the group’s priorities and, for example, to develop innovative and sustainable solutions in areas such as high-performance batteries and composite materials.
Nicolas Cudré-Mauroux is in charge of more than 2,000 people worldwide and manages a budget of €350 million. He received an Alumni Award in 2019 and is a member of the Board of Directors of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), an associate member of the Royal Academy of Belgium, and a member of the Board of Governors of the Argonne Laboratory, one of the larg-est research laboratories dedicated to energy in the US.

DÉBORAH HEINTZE, SV'12 

“Entrepreneurship is a constant source of challenges,” Déborah Heintze said at the 2018 graduation ceremony. And, as the co-founder and chief operations officer of Lunaphore, she knows what she's talking about. Her many responsibilities include regulations, operations, marketing, business development and managing a team of 25 people.
When she graduated from EPFL in 2012, after a year at Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology Institute, Déborah Heintze had two options for beginning her career. The first was for a comfortable, well-paid position with a large international biomedical firm and the second was to co-found a startup with no long-term guarantees. She chose the option offering less security but that was more in line with what she wanted to do. Hence the Lunaphore adventure began.
What is Lunaphore about? Nothing less than a medical revolution. Its new microfluidic technology reduces the time needed to diagnose cancerous tissue from hours to minutes. The technique could impact both routine checks and checks performed during surgery, meaning that surgical procedures would not have to be interrupted while waiting for a diagnosis and therefore meaning fewer procedures overall.
Its technology has put Lunaphore in the industry spotlight, especially with its recent fundraising round when it secured CHF 5.3 million. Awards came rolling in during 2018 both for the company, which ranked third among the Top 100 best Swiss startups, and for Déborah Heintze, who had the honour of being selected for the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Switzerland. She may be standing centre stage now, but Déborah Heintze emphasises the importance of teamwork in the development of Lunaphore and highlights the vital roles played by the company’s other two co-founders – Ata Tuna Ciftlik (PhD MT’13) and Diego Gabriel Dupouy (PhD MT’16) – and the 25 company employees, a steadily growing team.
Although a number of steps remain, the first of which is the market launch of Lunaphore’s first devices in 2019, the path taken by Déborah Heintze, just six years after obtaining her engineering degree from EPFL, is already a source of inspiration for all alumni.
And that offers proof that decisions are made not only with the head but also with the heart.

MATTIA BINOTTO, GM'94 

Mattia Binotto was born on 3 November 1969 in Lausanne. Having graduated in Mechanical Engineering from EPFL in 1994, he then obtained a Masters in Motor Vehicle Engineering in Modena. In 1995, he joined the Scuderia Ferrari test team as a Test Engine Engineer and fulfilled the same role with the race team from 1997 to 2003.
In 2004, he became a Race engine engineer - working as Michael Schumacher personal's engineer - and from 2007 Binotto took on the role of Chief Engineer, race and assembly, moving on in 2009 to Head of Engine and KERS Operations. Having been appointed Deputy Director, Engine and Electronics in October 2013, Binotto subsequently took on the role of Chief Operating Officer, Power Unit.
On July 27, 2016, he has been appointed Chief Technical Officer of Scuderia Ferrari.

ROLAND LOOS, EL ’87 

A Luxembourgish native, Roland Loos studied electrical engineering at EPFL and graduated in 1987. After a few years in research and an engineering position at the administration of the Canton of Vaud, he joined the satellite communication field at Telecom PTT. After a few years with PTT, he founded his own company, NewSat Communication, in 2000, offering communication solutions to major oil and gas groups. A great commercial success, NewSat merged with an American group before being bought in 2015 by Panasonic Avionics Corporation. Roland Loos left the company and got involved in many EPFL projects, giving his time for the MOOCs for Africa program, investing in several EPFL start-ups, and supporting Prof. Courtine’s research on neuro-rehabilitation with a donation.

SILVIO NAPOLI, MX ’89 

Silvio Napoli was born in 1965 in Roma (Italy). He graduated from EPFL in Materials Science in 1989. After a few years in the industry at Dow Chemical (Germany) and an MBA from Harvard Business School, Mr. Napoli joined Schindler in 1994 and drove the Group’s implantation on the Indian market. He was appointed CEO in January 2014, a position he held until April 2016 when he was named President of the Group’s Executive Management Board.

CAMILLE VIAL, MA ’01 

Camille Vial studied mathematics at EPFL where she graduated in 2001. Born in a family of bankers of French origins, Camille Vial decided to start her career in financial services right upon graduation. She first gained experience in portfolio management, investement startegy and human ressources at Mirabaud in Geneva. She then broaden her perspectives with an experience at Mirabaud Securities in London and at other international financial firms likeLloyd Georges Management and Tim Tacci International.
Back in Geneva in 2009, she took the lead of the Portofolio Management activities at Mirabaud. In 2011 at 33 she was appointed Managing Partner of Mirabaud SCA, first woman ever to hold that position. In parallel to her leadership role at Mirabaud, Camille Vial sits on the managing committee of the FER (Féddérations des entreprises romandes) and on the Strategy & Surveillance Committee of Sustainable Finance Geneva.

IGOR PERISIC, MA ’91 

Igor Perisic received a diploma in mathematics from EPFL in 1991, followed by a PhD in statistics from Harvard University. He started his career in industry in Silicon Valley first with the software start-up Entopia before going back to academia for a one-year postdoc at Stanford University. After a second start-up experience as the CTO of healthline.com – a health information website – Igor Perisic joined Microsoft as a product manager in their research unit. In October 2007, he joined the then-4-year old company LinkedIn as the engineering director in charge of the search engine, algorithmic recommendations for website customization and data infrastructure. He currently holds the position of Vice President Engineering at LinkedIn.

JACQUES DE SAUSSURE, MA'75 

Jacques de Saussure, EPFL degree in mathematics in 1985, has expanded his scientific knowledge with a Master in business administration and finance from the Massachusetts Institute where he coasted not less than six Nobel Prize in economics. In 1980, he joined the bank “Pictet”, one of the largest private banks in Switzerland. He makes there a remarkable career: since 2010, he is senior partner of the Pictet Group.

CHRISTIAN POSSE, MA ‘88 

Christian Posse, Technology Program Manager at Google, graduated in mathematics in 1988, obtained his doctorate in 1993, and went on to Stanford where he did a post-doc through a grant from the Fond National. A few years later, he decided to apply his research to the solution of real problems. He became an expert in data mining and worked for several start-ups. His algorithms and models are precursors of the social networks that exploded a few years later. Cisco, LinkedIn and Google punctuate his exceptional career.

AYMERIC SALLIN, PH'00 

Aymeric Sallin graduated a Physicist Engineer from EPFL in 2000. In Zurich in 2002, he founded NanoDimension, the first venture capital firm dedicated exclusively to nanotechnology. In 2008, he gave NanoDimension a global dimension by opening offices in the heart of Silicon Valley. NanoDimension is a private investor dedicated to the world’s most important nanotechnology, and Aymeric Sallin is a key player in raising funds for the start-ups he works with and where he serves on the board of directors. Recognized as a leader in nanotechnology and innovation, in 2013 Aymeric Sallin joined the “Young Global Leaders” of the World Economic Forum, was elected one of the 300 most influential people in Switzerland by Bilan in 2011, 2012, and 2013, and in 2012, he was named one of the top 20 managers in Switzerland under 40.

ALAIN FUCHS, CH ‘76 

Born in Lausanne, Alain Fuchs graduated in chemical engineering from EPFL in 1976 and earned his D.Sc. from the University Paris-Sud 11 – Orsay in 1983. He was later appointed Professor at the Pierre and Marie Curie University.
In 2000, Alain Fuchs founded and directed the Laboratory of Physical Chemistry at Orsay, and was named Chair of External Aggregation of Chemistry and Chair of Section 13 of the National Committee for Scientific Research. In addition, while performing these prestigious posts, he was appointed Director of Chemistry at ParisTech. Finally, in 2010, he became the new President and CEO of CNRS.
In addition to all of this, Alain Fuchs is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a member of the editorial offices of the journals, Molecular Simulation and Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, and board member of the International Adsorption Society. He has also been honored with several awards: Knight of Academic Palms in 1996 and a Knight of the Legion of Honour in 2010.

CHRISTOPHE BECK, GM'91 

Christophe Beck is the International President of Ecolab, the world leader in water treatment, chemical technologies for oil exploration, food security, and prevention of infections. Christophe Beck is now charged with the growth, in more than 170 countries, of this company that is worth nearly $14 billion and employs 45,000 people worldwide.
Prior to joining Ecolab, Christophe Beck was responsible for European sales at Nestlé. Earlier in his career, he also worked on several projects for the European Space Agency.
In 2006, Christophe Beck was named “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum for his achievements and his commitment to building a better world. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering earned from EPFL in 1991 and sits on the board of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce.

CHARLES HAUSER, PH'67 DR'72 

Charles Hauser has been a Physicist Engineer since 1967, holding his doctorate since 1972. He is the founder of the company HCT, which specializes in methods for wafer sawing. For several years in the 1980’s, HCT was the only manufacturer of this kind and thereby became the global leader in open abrasive multi-blade saws prior to being copied by the few manufacturers capable of mastering this technology. Early machines had the ability to cut 200 silicon wafers at once with a much lower loss than other methods at that time, but today they are able to saw several thousand wafers simultaneously, with unlimited diameters and thickness. HCT has recently been taken over by US-based Applied Materials, which moved its activities to China, but this technology is still at the forefront of the manufacturing of silicon wafers. Today, whether in a computer, mobile phone or any memory card, inevitably one or more of its components has been through one of these machines.

KHATER MASSAAD, MA'78 

Khater Massaad graduated in mathematics from EPFL in 1978. He is the founder and CEO of RAK Ceramics, the world’s premiere ceramics company. He also leads RAKIA in a structure that drives the economic development of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Since August 2003, he has served as an advisor to the Crown Prince & Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. Kather Massaad co-founded the Ras Al Khaimah Ceramics Company PSC (also known as RAK Ceramics) where he is the CEO and has led the movement to globalize through a program of rapid diversification. Finally, as a Director of Al Hamra Fort Hotel & Beach Resort, he has played a major role in the tourism sector in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

PAOLO BUZZI, MT ‘89 

Paolo Buzzi (MT 89), a founding partner of Swissquote Group, is the current Chief Technology Officer of Swissquote Bank.
He is also co-founder of Marvel Communications. He began his career as a specialist in software integration at Rolm Systems, in Santa Clara.

BERTRAND CARDIS, GM ‘81 

Originally from Lausanne, Bertrand Cardis (GM ‘81) is a mechanical engineer with a passion for sailing. He developed this hobby to the extent of becoming an exceptional navigator, advancing all the way to the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. On his return to the Lausanne area, he participated in the creation of the company Decision SA with the goal of building the maxi-yacht named UBS Switzerland, which became famous after winning the race around the world in 1985–86. He remains director of Decision SA, located in Ecublens close to EPFL, and designs structures based on his research into composite materials. With his collaborators, he built the Alinghi boats that won the America’s Cup in 2003 and 2007 and the composite structures in the Solar Impulse aircraft. The company is expanding into the construction industry.

AART DE GEUS, EL ‘78 

Originally from the Netherlands and raised between French-speaking and German-speaking Switzerland, Aart de Geus (EL ‘78) extended his studies in Texas.
Active today in California, he is the Chairman and CEO of Synopsys, a world leader in CAD (Computer Aided Design). Synopsys Outreach Foundation, which he founded in 1999, promotes scientific projects and the learning of mathematics in Silicon Valley.
He has accumulated various distinctions: in 2002, “Electronic Business” named him CEO of the Year and, in 2004, “Information Technology” dubbed him Entrepreneur of the Year.In addition to being Chairman of the Electronic Design Automation Consortium (EDAC), the trade press designated him as “one of the ten most influential leaders.”

MARIE IVORRA, MT ‘91 

Since earning her degree in Microtechnology (MT ‘91), she has led a distinguished career running a high-tech enterprise by becoming the CEO of RUAG Space Nyon, recognized worldwide for its products linked to the success of space missions. She is also a board member of the Swiss Association of Astronautics. Many of her projects have led to collaborations with EPFL, thereby promoting the technology transfer that is essential to our school.

JEAN-PIERRE ROSSO, GC'65 

Jean-Pierre Rosso, member of the board of directors of the medical technology company Medtronic, settled in Chicago. He began his career at Honeywell France in 1969. In 1975, he became President and CEO of Nightingale, which became, under his direction, the leading American manufacturer of skis. Of French origin, Jean-Pierre Rosso holds dual French and American citizenships. He returned to Honeywell in 1981, where he held various executive positions until 1994, the year when he was appointed the head of CNH (Case New Holland), leader in the field of agricultural machinery, a post he held for ten years.

PIERRE DOUAZE, EL ‘64 (DECEASED) 

This former Vice-President of A3 led a distinguished career with Esso (as the Industrial Consumer Sales Manager in Madagascar from 1967 to 1970), at Ciba Geigy (Hong Kong, Belgium and France, and Head of the Pharmaceutical Division in Basel in 1989, member of the Executive Board and Head of Healthcare in 1991), and finally at Novartis, where he rose to CEO of the Healthcare Division.
This French national earned his degree in electrical engineering at EPFL in 1964 before joining INSEAD in Fontainebleau, where he earned an MBA in 1967. The latter, he said, changed his life, giving him a global outlook on business: “It was a turning point.”
Pierre Douaze lived in Pully and often visited France for hunting. He remained active on the boards of directors of several companies, including Serono and Galenica.

OLIVIER TRANCART, EL'83 

Olivier Trancart graduated in Electrical Engineering from EPFL in 1983 and entered the field at Hewlett Packard shortly thereafter. After opening the market for the company in North Africa (including Algeria), he created an international career – Budapest, Paris, Cupertino (CA) – as VP in World Sales for financial markets. In 2001 he moved to Singapore to assume the direction of System Access Software (Core Banking). As Executive Vice President in charge of sales for the group, he restructured and sold the company in 2004 to the i-flex Group (Bangalore), the leader in this market. He participated in the proposed takeover by the ORACLE group and then decided to return to Switzerland in 2008 to begin a career as an entrepreneur and independent investor. He contributed to the creation of Polytech Venture (seed funding for Swiss Romande technology start-ups). Olivier Trancart is a corporate director in pursuit of development projects in the Middle East. He is also active in new IT start-ups in India. He lives in Geneva and travels regularly to India, where he is participating in the renovation of a haveli in Rajasthan.

NICOLAS MUSY, PH'86 

Nicolas Musy has lived in the Shanghai area since 1988. He is a partner in and led the establishment of the first Swiss industrial SMEs in China (in 1993) and of LX Precision, the first Swiss turning company in China. In 1997 he co-founded Integrated China, a company that has facilitated the integration of one hundred Swiss companies in China. In 2001, he co-founded the Swiss Center Shanghai. Since 2006, Nicolas Musy has also served as China Relations Coordinator for EPFL. He demonstrated that a Swiss entrepreneur was able to successfully establish an SME in China and has thereby helped other Swiss SMEs to enter the Chinese market. This project was also awarded Best International Project at the 3rd World Chambers Congress.

ANDRÉ PITTET, EL'80 

André Pittet has shown an exemplary commitment for over twenty years at the Centre For Electronics Design And Technology on the campus of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He has been instrumental in the recent and highly productive scientific cooperation between Switzerland and India.

ZHANBING REN, EL'90 

Zhanbing Ren returned to China after his doctoral studies and research at EPFL. In Shanghai, he set up a new production unit for Bobst, for which he served as CEO from 2000–2011. This mission was accomplished brilliantly within an atmosphere of mutual respect between the Swiss and Chinese cultures. His universally recognized professional and personal qualities also elevated him to the position of President of the Swiss-Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai from 2003–2007. After two years of experience at Georg Fischer Piping Sytems from 2011 to 2013 as the Asia Pacific President, he was named in 2014, President of the Shanghai Sino-Swiss International Trading Co., Ltd.