UNI NOVA – Research Magazine of the University of Basel
-
PortraitStraightforward tenacity.
Text: Irène Dietschi / In summer 2020, Scott McNeil assumed the first of two endowed professorships in nanopharmacy. Moving to Switzerland in the middle of the pandemic was an adventure, but the American scientist has lots of experience with new beginnings.
-
PortraitStanding the test.
Text: Irène Dietschi / Immunologist Georg Holländer is a researcher through and through; he is considered a visionary and an inspiration. Professor Holländer is Director of the Botnar Research Centre for Child Health in Basel. It was not always certain that he would be able to take on this role.
-
PortraitNot a trace of coronavirus fatigue.
Text: Irène Dietschi / She was a rising star at the Department of Infectious Diseases, but when the coronavirus arrived, she faced her greatest challenge yet. She handled it brilliantly.
-
Portrait“A supercomputer is like a family.”
Text: Iris Mickein / High-performance computers have revolutionized science and industry. Computer scientist Professor Florina Ciorba looks at ways of optimizing the interactions between machines. In her work, she also encounters numerous parallels with the real world.
-
PortraitA participant observer.
Text: Christoph Dieffenbacher / Social anthropologist Rita Kesselring examines both the legacy of apartheid and mining in southern Africa. For her field research, she often travels alone to townships and inhospitable mining towns.
-
PortraitAn explorer of chemical space.
Text: Christoph Dieffenbacher / Scientists are exploring the almost endless world of possible molecules and compounds in their search for useful substances. Anatole von Lilienfeld, Professor of Physical Chemistry, is developing new and faster methods in this quest based on quantum mechanics and machine learning.
-
PortraitHistory’s biggest fan.
Text: Christoph Dieffenbacher / A researcher at the Center for Jewish Studies, Erik Petry is devoted to remembrance and making sure the past is not forgotten. His other great passion is sports – as an academic, as a fan and as an active participant.
-
PortraitResearch for the benefit of the patient.
Text: Irène Dietschi / With the apparent ease of a concert soloist, Viviane Hess has advanced up the ranks to become an exceptional oncologist. Professor of Medicine, Hess holds several senior positions including Head of Clinical Cancer Research at University Hospital Basel. She is not afraid to criticize the system in which she has pursued her career.
-
PortraitThe international law expert and sea piracy.
Text: Christoph Dieffenbacher / When it comes to piracy and crime at sea, Anna Petrig, recently appointed Professor of International Law at the University of Basel, is very knowledgeable: the Swiss lawyer is regarded throughout the world as a sought-after expert in this subject. She also spends her free time on the water.