ALUMNI AWARDS 2017 CLAUDIA DE RHAM, PH’ 01 Claudia de Rham was born in Lausanne on 29 March 1978. She graduated from EPFL in 2001 and carried out her thesis work at Cambridge University. After completing two post-docs in Canada (from 2003 to 2009), she obtained a Swiss National Science Foundation Professorship Grant and conducted research at the University of Geneva’s Theoretical Physics Department from 2010 to 2011. This research led her to challenge one of Einstein’s theories whereby a gravity particle, the graviton, has no mass. She put forth a new theory to explain the universe’s acceleration and expansion – a phenomenon that scientists first observed in the 1990s but have so far been unable to explain. Today her pioneering work in cosmology is known around the world and inspires many budding researchers studying gravity and the creation of the universe.
MATTIA BINOTTO, GM’ 94 Mattia Binotto was born in Lausanne on 3 November 1969. He earned a mechanical engineering degree from EPFL in 1994 and a Master’s degree in motor vehicle engineering in Modena, Italy. He joined Ferrari as a Test Engine Engineer for Formula 1 cars in 1995, and then served in the same role for Grand Prix cars from 1997 to 2003. In 2004, he became a Race Engine Engineer and served as Michael Schumacher’s personal engineer; in 2007 he was promoted to Chief Engineer and in 2009 to Head of Engine and KERS Operations. After being appointed Deputy Director, Engine and Electronics in October 2013, he subsequently took on the role of Chief Technical Officer of Scuderia Ferrari on 27 July 2016. Binotto’s remarkable skills and passion for automotive engineering have earned him widespread recognition in the racing industry and propelled him to a top position at Formula 1’s most emblematic sponsor.
DR HONORIS CAUSA 2017 Suzan G. LeVine was awarded an Honoris Causa Doctorate on EPFL’s 2017 graduation day, and mathematician Yves Meyer was granted the title at EPFL’s first Campus Lecture on 19 September 2017. –
SUZAN G. LEVINE In recognition of her hard work in promoting education for today’s youth and encouraging women to enter technical fields. An engineer, ambassador and charismatic leader, she has also had a stellar career as a diplomat and in technology.
YVES MEYER In recognition of his groundbreaking work in several branches of pure and applied mathematics – from number theory to harmonic analysis – and for his pivotal role in the development of wavelet theory.