Ana Marija Jakšić studies the evolution of the cognitive brain since May 2020 at EPFL.
“I have been thinking, even day-dreaming about the experimental evolution of the brain for a long time. Evolution experiments are always demanding, both in time, funding, and dedication. And if you add complex traits like cognition in the mix you can imagine only an established lab may have the opportunity to dive into a project like that. Even though I had the idea and the drive to do it, I expected it will take me years to get to a position where I’ll have freedom, environment, funding, and a team to start this project. Becoming an ELISIR scholar made it possible right now and advanced my research plans for years! I am thankful for this rare and exciting opportunity!”
Milena Schuhmacher joined EPFL in July 2022. She will study organelle-specific phosphatidic acid species, assessing signalling and mapping phosphatidic acid localization and interaction networks.
“It is a great and unique opportunity to start as an ELISIR fellow in this outstanding research environment at EPFL. I am very excited to start my own research group here and to shed some more light on lipids and biological membranes using an interdisciplinary approach bringing together synthetic chemistry and biology.”
James Priestley finished his PhD at the University of Columbia in New York and joined EPFL in early 2023 to study the computational functions of hippocampal circuits.
“The ELISIR program is a great outlet for early-career scientists to cultivate an independent research program. I’m thrilled to join such a vibrant and international scientific environment at EPFL. Given the highly interdisciplinary and collaborative spirit of EPFL’s neuroscience community, I’m excited to start my research group here and dive further into the neural mechanisms of memory formation!”
Lucas Paoli joined EPFL in June 2024 from ETH Zürich and the Pasteur Institute. He heads the Microbiome Immunity and Ecology lab, studying how microbes fend off viral infections across various environments and ecological settings.
“The ELISIR program provides a unique opportunity for young scientists to conduct independent research early in their career. Along with the incredible scientific and technical support from EPFL, this program truly fosters creative and ambitious research projects at their earliest stage. I am thrilled to be part of this exceptional community and excited to lead a small research team aiming to bridge microbial ecology and microbial immunity.”
Ashley Maynard joined EPFL in March 2025 from ETH Zürich. She heads the laboratory of Regeneration and Neurogenomics investigating the mechanisms of regeneration and repair primarily in the brain.
“Making the leap from working within a lab to leading your own research group is a defining career milestone, and the ELISIR program provides an invaluable platform to make this transition. With its support, I have the freedom to drive my research, access to cutting-edge facilities, and engage with a vibrant interdisciplinary community—an ideal setting to push the boundaries of brain regeneration research. I’m excited to take this next step, build my team, and contribute to this dynamic scientific ecosystem.”
Alumni
Gioele La Manno is currently Tenure Track Assistant Professor at the EPFL School of Life Sciences heading the Laboratory of Brain Development and Biological Data Science. His research focuses on understanding the complexities and dynamics of brain development.
He was the first scholar to join the ELISIR program in 2018.
“ELISIR is an innovative initiative in Europe. We were sort of missing these very early group-leader positions. I have a feeling of belonging to the European scientific community and I think there is value in the way, in Europe, we do science and we think about science. The ELISIR is a great opportunity, personally speaking, because the objective of an academic career for a researcher is, after all, to gather a team and try to develop his or her ideas. And that is my goal as well.”
Martin Weigert started a new position as W2 Professor at TU Dresden as Chair of Machine Learning for Spatial Understanding in June 2024.
“I was excited to be part of the ELISIR program and to have be given the opportunity to start my own research group in the field of machine-learning based image analysis and computational microscopy at such an international and interdisciplinary place as the EPFL!”
Can Aztekin started a new position as Max Planck Research Group Leader (W2 position) at the Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society, Tübingen in February 2025.
“Starting a lab as an ELISIR Scholar was an extraordinary experience, offering unparalleled opportunities for growth as a scientist. The supportive community of junior group leaders, combined with the guidance of senior professors, created a nurturing environment that was invaluable during the early stages of establishing a lab. The cutting-edge facilities and outstanding research infrastructure at EPFL also played a key role in tackling ambitious projects and rapidly advancing our work.
What truly sets EPFL apart, at least for me, is its technology-driven environment, which fosters creativity and encourages the integration of emerging technologies and the adoption of advanced quantitative methods in research. This environment challenges you to push boundaries, explore new ideas, and discover transformative solutions. Starting a lab here isn’t just about conducting experiments or advancing projects—it’s about reimagining what’s possible as a scientist, surrounded by world-class colleagues and inspiring, out-of-your-comfort-zone ideas.”