We Are ETH

ETH Zurich
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We Are ETH

We Are ETH is a podcast series featuring stories from Alumni of ETH Zurich around the globe. Hosted by ETH Circle Member and Entrepreneur Susan Kish, We Are ETH brings you conversations with the people who have taken their ETH experience out into the world and turned it into a company, a career, and a way of life.

  1. How Can AI and the Community Drive Climate Action? – David Dao

    1 DAY AGO

    How Can AI and the Community Drive Climate Action? – David Dao

    David Dao, ETH alumnus and GainForest scientist, shares his journey from climate activism to XPRIZE-winning AI innovations, supporting indigenous communities, and driving impactful solutions. David Dao, ETH Zurich alumnus, co-founder and chief scientist of GainForest, talks about his journey from climate activism, his experiences at the COP climate conferences to winning the XPRIZE. From AI innovation, valuable support for indigenous communities to mapping Brazilian nut trees, Dao reflects on his personal story as the son of Vietnamese refugees and how it has influenced his pursuit of meaningful impact. From preserving cultural heritage with AI to redefining climate finance, Dao offers a compelling narrative of resilience, innovation, and community-led action.   This is his story. books mentioned in this episode: Matilda - Roald Dahl Chapters: (00:43) David Dao's Recent Experience at COP (02:19) Climate Finance Negotiations (03:53) Role of Youth Activists at COP (04:36) GainForest and the XPRIZE Journey (07:08) AI and Indigenous Communities (18:39) David Dao's Personal Journey (23:35) Final Thoughts and Reflections (26:13) Closing Questions

    29 min
  2. From Doodle to Decarbonization – Myke Naef

    DEC 5

    From Doodle to Decarbonization – Myke Naef

    ETH alumnus and computer scientist Myke Naef shares his journey from founding Doodle to pioneering investments in climate tech, blending innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. What sparked the idea for Doodle, the tool we all love for scheduling? How did an ETH alumnus go from building a game-changing startup to leading investments in climate tech? Myke Naef, founder of Doodle and Übermorgen Ventures, shares his journey of innovation, reveals the surprising origin of Doodle, and explains how his unique mix of computer science and didactics shaped his path to champion sustainable innovation in climate tech. This is his story. books mentioned in this episode: Good Strategy, Bad Strategy - Richard Rumelt Fahrenheit 451 (01:01) Educational Background: Didactics and Computer Science (03:03) Early Career: From Commodore 64 to Cybersecurity (09:16) The Doodle Journey: From Hobby to Success (14:28) Life After Doodle: Business Angel and Übermorgen Ventures (16:57) Focus on Climate Tech: The Mission of Übermorgen (21:51) Reflections and Personal Insights (25:05) Closing Thoughts

    29 min
  3. Embracing Innovation - Robotics and Hugs - Alexis E. Block

    NOV 21

    Embracing Innovation - Robotics and Hugs - Alexis E. Block

    ETH alumna Alexis E. Block and assistant professor at the Case Western Reserve University discusses her HuggieBot research, designed for high-quality hugs, highlighting its emotional benefits, design process, and her journey from grief to innovation. Discover Alexis' heartfelt journey with her HuggieBot, a robot crafted to deliver meaningful hugs based on eleven guiding principles. She shares the profound emotional and physical benefits of hugging, emphasizing its role in enhancing social support and reducing stress.Through her personal experiences, Alexis illustrates the power of interdisciplinary research in creating emotionally intelligent robots. Tune in to hear how her time at ETH Zurich shaped her path and her secret tip about her favorite spot on campus, plus enjoy the unforgettable musical serenade with Susan! This is her story. Books mentioned in this episode: The Nightingale by Kristen Hanna The Dutch House by Anne Patchett Chapters: (00:18) Meet Alexis Block: Robotics Expert and Hugging Enthusiast (00:42) The Science of Hugging Robots (02:18) Experimenting with Hugging Robots (05:05) Changing Perceptions of Robotics (07:30) The Journey to HuggieBot (08:09) The Importance of Hugs (08:59) Personal Motivation and Academic Journey (18:18) From ETH to Case Western: A Career in Robotics (19:49) Reflections and Future Directions (22:27) Closing Thoughts and Personal Insights

    28 min
  4. A Journey Beyond Time – Stephan Sigrist

    NOV 7

    A Journey Beyond Time – Stephan Sigrist

    With a background in biochemistry and former researcher at Collegium Helveticum, Stephan Sigrist, founder of the think tank W.I.R.E., is dedicated to the power of collaboration and creative thinking. Remember the DeLorean from Back to the Future? Listen to the conversation with Stephan Sigrist, founder of W.I.R.E., as he shares his story about owning that iconic car and W.I.R.E.'s mission: to provide a foundation for business decision-making, rather than just predictions about the future. Discover Stephan's unexpected journey from studying biochemistry at ETH Zurich to becoming a thought leader, along with insights on long-term thinking amid societal changes.  This is his story. Authors or magazine's mentioned in the podcast: Wired Magazine Harvard Business Review Friedrich Dürrenmatt Chapters: (01:23) The Evolution of W.I.R.E. (03:34) Geographical Journey: Zurich to London and Back (06:30) The DeLorean Story (11:15) Curating the Future: Methodologies and Challenges (13:46) Understanding W.I.R.E.'s Role and Services (17:32) Stephan's Academic and Professional Background (23:08) Final Thoughts and Reflections (27:13) Closing Remarks and Podcast Information

    28 min
  5. Combating «Forever Chemicals» – Fajer Mushtaq

    OCT 24

    Combating «Forever Chemicals» – Fajer Mushtaq

    Did you know that toxic pollutants can even be found in some water bottles? Fajer Mushtaq, co-founder and CEO of Oxyle, an ETH spin-off, has developed a breakthrough technology that removes toxic PFAS from water through chemical oxidation, resulting in cleaner and safer drinking water. Fajer talks about her personal journey, how she left her home country at the age of 17 to study mechanical engineering in England, her motivation in the fight against water pollution through her experience and why she wanted to come to ETH for her PhD.   This is her story. Chapters: (00:15) Meet Fajer Mushtaq: CEO of Oxyle (00:37) Cultural Differences: From Kashmir to Zurich (01:08) Educational Journey: From India to the UK (02:09) Discovering Microanalysis Systems (04:43) The Birth of Oxyle (05:01) How Oxyle's Technology Works (09:44) Scaling the Solution (15:54) Personal Reflections and Future Goals (21:20) Closing Thoughts and Reflections

    24 min
  6. Tackling Drug Resistance in Cancer Treatment – Stefanie Flückiger

    OCT 3

    Tackling Drug Resistance in Cancer Treatment – Stefanie Flückiger

    Stefanie Flückiger, co-founder and CEO of Tolremo Therapeutics, is transforming cancer treatment with her innovative biotech company. Discover how Tolremo, an ETH spinoff, is tackling non-genetic drug resistance with cutting-edge technology. Hear about Stefanie's unique journey from academia to entrepreneurship, the impact of diversity in driving innovation, and the intriguing science behind cancer cells' resistance to drugs. This is her story. Chapters: (01:06) The Role of Awards and Female Leadership (03:52) Diversity in Leadership and Innovation (06:21) The Catalyst for Starting Tolremo (10:30) Understanding Cancer Cell Resistance (15:30) From Academia to Biotech: The Journey of Tolremo (19:47) Stephanie's Academic Background and ETH Experience (22:34) Closing Thoughts and Personal Insights Books mentioned: Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker Podcast mentioned: Huberman Lab Podcast

    27 min
  7. How to Cultivate Meat – Nicole Kleger

    SEP 19

    How to Cultivate Meat – Nicole Kleger

    Transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship, Nicole Kleger co-founded Sallea, a startup focused on pioneering sustainable solutions in the cultivated meat industry, driven by her passion for impactful science. Nicole Kleger transitioned from academic research to entrepreneurship, co-founding the startup Sallea to create scaffolds for cultivated meat, focusing on sustainability and ethical food production. Her shift from a Ph.D. at ETH Zurich to starting Sallea reflects her passion for making a tangible impact through science. Nicole also highlights the role of ETH Zurich, emphasizes the importance of meaningful work, particularly in addressing environmental challenges through food tech innovation. Balancing her personal life with her professional responsibilities, she finds energy and well-being through sports. Sallea's mission is to push boundaries in the male-dominated food tech industry, aiming to inspire more women to join the field. This is her story. The podcast mentioned in this episode: • Kopf voran, SRF Chapters (00:23) Meet Nicole Kleger: Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of sallea (00:59) Balancing Life: Sports, Family, and Career (02:20) The Journey to sallea: From PhD to Startup (05:12) Building the Team: Finding the Right Co-Founders (06:33) Fundraising Challenges and Market Analysis (12:18) From MedTech to Food Tech: Choosing the Right Path (14:40) Understanding Scaffolding in Cultivated Meat (17:43) Ecological and Ethical Impacts of Cultivated Meat (19:42) The Role of ETH Foundation and Future Plans (20:44) Closing Thoughts and Personal Insights

    24 min
  8. Leadership, Innovation, and the Power of Education – Suzanne Thoma

    SEP 5

    Leadership, Innovation, and the Power of Education – Suzanne Thoma

    Suzanne Thoma, Sulzer’s executive president and ETH Zurich alumna, discusses her career journey, the power of engineering education, and her role in transforming the Swiss industry. Dr. Suzanne Thoma, executive president of the Sulzer Group, is widely recognized as one of the most influential women in Swiss industry. In this episode, she opens up about her remarkable career path, shedding light on the strategic transformation she’s spearheaded at Sulzer and the critical importance of engineering education. Reflecting on her formative years at ETH Zurich, Thoma discusses how the university’s rigorous curriculum laid the foundation for her innovative approach to leadership and problem-solving. She also underscores the significance of female role models in shaping her journey and the broader evolution of the industry. This is her story. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Dr. Suzanne Thoma (01:15) Joining Sulzer's Board (01:53) Strategic Analysis and Market Focus (04:23) Sulzer's Role in Energy and Natural Resources (07:03) Personal Journey and Education (14:52) Balancing Career and Family (18:06) Current Role and ETH Involvement (19:38 Advice for Young Women in Engineering (21:06) Closing Thoughts and Reflections The book, mentioned in this episode: ·     Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty (Daron Acemoglu, James A. Robinson)

    24 min
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About

We Are ETH is a podcast series featuring stories from Alumni of ETH Zurich around the globe. Hosted by ETH Circle Member and Entrepreneur Susan Kish, We Are ETH brings you conversations with the people who have taken their ETH experience out into the world and turned it into a company, a career, and a way of life.

Information

  • Creator
    ETH Zurich
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 ETH Zurich
  • Show Website
    We Are ETH

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