Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, ETH Zurich

Today marked the official closing of NCCR PlanetS, an organisation with which I’ve been affiliated for around a decade. Since transitioning part of my research endeavours from Earth science to planetary science, PlanetS has been a constant presence, accelerating my learning across a wide range of topics and providing an indispensable network of skilled, enthusiastic people dedicated to advancing planetary science in Switzerland. Although the closing of an NCCR inevitably brings financial reductions and structural changes, I’m confident that the strength of the people and collaborations built through PlanetS will endure. There is every reason to look forward to the next decade (and beyond) of space science in Switzerland, and I look forward to being a part of it via SIPS (the Swiss Institute for Planetary Sciences). (Final slide credit goes to Willy Benz, NCCR PlanetS founder)

Hard to believe it has already been about a year since I submitted the final version of my PhD thesis at ETH Zürich! My work focused on tin isotopes as tracers, from environmental contamination in Lake Zurich to questions about the early solar system. Over the years, this involved laboratory work, mass spectrometry, data analysis in Python, scientific writing, teaching, and many collaborations along the way. Looking back, one of the things I value most is how much I learned beyond my original background in geophysics, especially through collaborating with researchers from geochemistry, sedimentology, environmental sciences, and even archaeology. Some of the most rewarding parts of the journey were the interdisciplinary and international exchanges: learning new methods, discussing different perspectives, and solving problems together across fields. I’m now exploring how to bring these analytical and technical skills into new challenges beyond academia.

The Moon is back in focus – and so is your connection to ETH. 🌕🚀 Mark your calendar to come back to campus: on May 30, 2026, ETH Zurich opens its doors for a day dedicated to space exploration.  It’s a chance to reconnect with the place where your curiosity took shape and see how today’s research is shaping our understanding of Earth and beyond.  Step back into the world of discovery – this time as part of a global alumni community. Explore how satellites reveal new perspectives on our planet, how robots navigate the Moon, and how galaxies help us understand the origins of stars. What’s waiting for you:  🎤 Lectures & live podcasts with leading researchers  🛰️ Interactive exhibitions  🔬 Hands-on workshops & guided tours  🌌 A mobile planetarium experience  Some events are open to the public; others are limited – so it’s worth planning ahead. 👉 Discover the program & secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/e8d5NUJm Because once you’ve been part of ETH, the spirit of exploration stays with you. meet ETH ETH Zürich | Space Departement Erd- und Planetenwissenschaften, ETH Zürich

The Liftoff Challenge is a new student project competition, giving student teams the opportunity to turn their dream of a space-related project into reality. Successful teams will receive professional guidance from experts from ETH Zurich and will plan and implement their project from the initial idea to the final execution. Check out the website and apply before the deadline on 17 May 2026: https://lnkd.in/eQt_wADA

🚀 Have you ever dreamed of turning your idea into a real space mission? Liftoff, the student project challenge by ETH Zurich | Space, gives you and your team the opportunity to make it happen. Together with experts from ETH Zurich | Space, you will develop and implement your own student-led space project — from the first concept to final execution. Selected teams receive: - Expert mentoring from space & business leaders, - Entrepreneurial training - Up to 16’000 CHF funding We are looking for motivated student teams from all disciplines who are ready to tackle real space-related challenges and transform bold ideas into reality. Start your journey today. Recruit a team, submit an idea, and lift off! 📆 Applications are open until 17. May 2026 🔗 www.liftoff-challenge.ch Thomas Ackermann Nanja Strecker Thomas H. Zurbuchen Richard Kornfeld Christof Bötschi Felix Seidel Aurélie Cocheril Michael Gschweitl Jody Dawson Florian Kehl Judy Lai-Norling Deborah MUELLER Raphaël Naire Simon Stähler Marco Tempest Stefan Wismer Victor Luo

Many congratulations to Julian Rogger on winning the Prix Schläfli 2026 for Geosciences for his doctoral thesis. In his thesis, he investigated how closely the plant world and climate are interwoven and what happens when this interaction is no longer in balance. In 2025 Julian was already awarded the Silver Medal of ETH Zurich for his outstanding doctoral thesis "The role of eco-evolutionary vegetation dynamics in Earth's long-term climate regulation system". Julian is now working as Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol, where he is continuing his research on the reciprocal effects of climate, vegetation and geological processes.