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In this special We Are ETH episode, host Susan Kish shares her inspiring career journey, Nordic roots, and behind-the-scenes podcast insights.
For this special episode, the tables turn as our regular host, Susan Kish, becomes the guest! Susan, an entrepreneur, strategist, and executive, opens up about her fascinating career journey—from her beginnings in investment banking to thriving as an entrepreneur and executive consultant.
Susan reflects on her Nordic heritage, her strong connection to ETH, and the transformative power of storytelling. She also shares memorable moments from behind the scenes of We Are ETH, insights into the diversity of guests, and her favorite book recommendations for the holiday season.
Books mentioned in the episode:
Wind and Truth - Brandon Sanderson
Chapters:
(02:18) Susan's Multifaceted Career Journey
(04:02) Connecting with ETH Zurich
(07:59) The We Are ETH Podcast Experience
(16:13) Behind the Scenes and Favorite Moments
(19:01) The Essence of a Great Podcast
(26:23) Holiday Traditions and Book Recommendations
(30:08) Conclusion and Holiday Wishes
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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
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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)
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Remy Buser's journey from studying at ETH to founding Bloom Biorenewables and how he emphasises the need to defossilise materials and find sustainable alternatives.
Remy Buseris on a mission to replace fossil carbon with renewable carbon in the chemical industry! The CEO and co-founder of Bloom Biorenewables explains how the use of petrochemicals has shaped our world and the need to defossilise materials. He discusses the complexity of the transition and the role of political commitment and scientific understanding in driving this change. Remy emphasises the need for a global perspective and collaboration to tackle climate challenges. The conversation also touches on Remy's personal experiences, including his time at ETH and his passion for understanding the materials that shape our world.
This is his story.
Podcasts mentioned in the episode:
· Podcasts of The Economist
· Podcast with Jean-Marc Jancovici
Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction and the Need to Defossilize Materials
(03:05) Remy Busse's Background and the Story of Truffles
(05:23) From Swiss Blot to Bloom BioRenewables
(09:00) Moving Away from Fossil-Based Carbon
(11:45) The Role of Petrochemicals in the Chemical Industry
(15:34) Replacing the Petrochemical Sector with Biomass
(20:19) Working with Politicians on Environmental Bills
(21:42) The Importance of Politics in Addressing Climate Change
(23:35) Childhood Aspirations and Curiosity about Materials
(28:52) Favorite Places in Zurich
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Wim Thiery, a climate scientist and associate professor at the University of Brussels, revealed during his recent visit at ETH Zurich, that children born in 2020 will face significantly more extreme weather events than previous generations.
Wim Thiery, climate scientist and Associate Professor at the University of Brussels, talks about the urgent need for robust mitigation and adaptation strategies to address the increasing frequency and intensity of these climate phenomena.
He also highlights the critical role of climate scientists in informing litigation against governments and corporations failing to take sufficient climate action.
Thiery shares with us his background and experiences that have shaped his career and gives an inspiring insight into the life of a scientist who wants to make a difference.
This is his story.
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction to Climate Injustice
(00:16) Meet Wim Thierry: Climate Scientist
(01:10) Seminar Insights: Unprecedented Lives
(01:30) Intergenerational Climate Inequities
(02:30) Heatwaves and Future Climate Scenarios
(03:30) Global Climate Extremes and Regional Disparities
(09:33) The Urgency of Climate Action and Adaptation
(10:26) Three Pillars of Climate Action
(12:54) My Climate Future: Personalized Climate Impact
(13:42) The Role of AI in Climate Research
(15:40) Preparing Future Generations for Climate Challenges
(17:08) Climate Litigation and the Role of Scientists
(19:12) Wim Thierry's Academic Journey
(22:18) Closing Thoughts and Personal Reflections
(25:32) Final Words and Podcast Outro
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Oriana Kraft, entrepreneur and founder of the FemTechnology Summit explains the need for gender-specific care in medicine and the potential of FemTech to revolutionise healthcare.
In this episode, Oriana Kraft, founder of Fem Technology, delves into the gender data health gap and the burgeoning field of FemTech. Fem Technology specialises in solutions that improve women's healthcare in the areas of reproductive health, autoimmune diseases and cardiovascular health. The conversation highlights the need for gender-specific care in medicine and FemTech's potential to revolutionise healthcare. Oriana shares insights from organising the first FemTechnology Summit at ETH and the collaboration with Roche. The episode concludes with a discussion about the synergy between science and art and Oriana's favorite spots in Zurich.
This is her story.
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction and Queen Victoria's Endometriosis
(04:29) The FEM Tech Guide and Proactive Women's Health Solutions
(13:51) Collaboration with Roche and the Role of Big Pharma in Femtech
(22:30) From Medicine to Entrepreneurship and the Intersection of Science and Art
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Meet Christophe Chautems, CTO of Nanoflex Robotics, bridging Mars rover expertise to medical robotics, revolutionising stroke treatment with magnetic technology.
Christophe Chautems, CTO of Nanoflex Robotics, talks about the breakthrough medical robotics technology that uses magnets to navigate catheters in the treatment of strokes. With 15 years of experience in robotics, including at NASA, Christophe emphasises the importance of combining research with practical applications, underlining Nanoflex's commitment to advancing healthcare. Nanoflex's magnetic system is not only promising for strokes, but could revolutionise various medical procedures through the integration of AI.
This is his story.
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction to Medical Robotics
(08:24) Navigating the Vasculature
(13:31) Time-Sensitive Stroke Treatment
(24:21) The Importance of Integration and Learning
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Join us on an inspiring journey with Etienne Jeoffroy, CEO of ETH spin-off FENX, as he shares insights into sustainable materials innovation and its potential impact on reducing carbon footprints.
Etienne Jeoffroy, co-founder and CEO of FENX, talks to Susan Kish about his journey in sustainable materials innovation. He recalls how his grandmother, a farmer, instilled in him a deep appreciation for materials and the importance of longevity. Looking back on his diverse academic and professional career, Etienne explains the genesis of FENX's pioneering mineral foam insulation technology and emphasises its potential to significantly reduce building emissions and emphasises the paramount importance of collaboration between stakeholders. You can also find out more about Etienne's diverse interests, such as his unwavering love of basketball,
This is his story.
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction and Background
(03:05) Journey from France to Switzerland
(06:15) Development of FENX's Mineral Foam
(09:32) Challenges of Scaling Up in the Construction Industry
(10:26) Collaboration and Stakeholder Involvement in Construction Innovation
(12:47) The Influence of ETH Zurich
(13:43) Curiosity, Learning, and Running a Startup
Links mentionned:
Books:
'The Mamba Mentality' von 'Kobe Bryant'Show Dog: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoe_DogPodcast
Nota Bene
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According to ETH Alumni Daniel Naeff, it is important to strike a balance between leveraging the positive aspects of AI and understanding the potential challenges.
In this episode, Susan Kish interviews Daniel Naeff, an entrepreneur and one of the leads at the ETH AI Center. They discuss angel investing, the inspiration behind starting companies, and Switzerland's potential in AI. They also touch on an exciting new development at the ETH Alumni Association, where Daniel is a Member of the Board: the ETH Knowledge Network, an AI-powered platform where members can connect and interact with each other.
This is his story.
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction and Switzerland's Potential in AI
(01:13) The Role of Angel Investors in Startups
(08:28) The ETH Alumni Network: Connecting and Sharing Knowledge
(11:46) Navigating the Opportunities and Risks of AI
(14:02) Insights from Newsletters and Podcasts
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Here’s how to put the ‘fabric’ into fabricate, as ETH Zurich alumna and TU Delft Assistant Professor of Digital Fabrication Mariana Popescu explains.
Could a knitting machine revolutionise construction?
For her PhD, ETH Zurich alumna Mariana Popescu worked with the Block Research Group to show that it’s possible to use lightweight knitted textiles as a mold for concrete. Mariana discusses knitting machines, complex geometry, and why her PhD project needed two suitcases to get to Mexico.
This is her story.
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction to the Knit Candela project
(01:18) Using fabric formwork for casting concrete
(04:08) Construction of the Knit Candela structure
(04:32) Computation and modeling in the project
(05:26) The Swiss influence on the project
(06:21) Applicability of the project beyond Switzerland
(07:21) Scaling up the project and future developments
(08:18) Improving the design for reusability and waste reduction
(08:48) The multidisciplinary skills required for the project
(09:12) Choosing ETH Zurich for further studies
(10:40) The process of selecting the thesis topic
(11:39) The role of collaboration and openness in the project
(12:33) Mariana's knitting and programming skills
(13:01) Understanding parametric design and computational design
(14:24) Setting up a group focused on fabrication
(15:20) The potential impact of the projects on architecture and construction
(16:18) Mariana's curiosity in fabrication and materials
(18:08) Closing remarks and podcast outro
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ETH Alumna Sandra Herrmann is an oceanographer, a geologist, a paleontologist, a pilot… and member of NASA's Analog Astronauts.
Sandra Herrmann studied geology and palaeontology at TU Bergakademie Freiberg and completed her doctorate in natural sciences at ETH Zurich. She subsequently emigrated to the USA and spent 12 years working for the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) in various posts. Since October 2023, she has been conducting research at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego.
Sandra explains what an analog astronaut is and shares her experience of spending 45 days in a space capsule as part of NASA's research on human behavior in stressful situations. She discusses the qualifications and application process to become an analog astronaut, and highlights the importance of cohesion, sleep, and hobbies on such missions. All of this makes her a strong candidate for future space missions…
This is her story.
Links:
“Catucation” Catboss & Furrfriends, Cat talk Radio
Globe article: https://ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2023/12/globe-modern-adventurer.html
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction and analog astronaut
(01:15) NASA's analog astronaut program
(02:39) Experiences in the space capsule
(03:36) Becoming an analog astronaut
(05:05) Experience as an oceanographer
(08:17) Cohesion, sleep, and hobbies
(11:29) Applying the three Key observations
(15:12) Academic background and PhD
(20:50) Commercial pilot's license
(22:46) Childhood aspirations and curiosity
(24:51) Favorite places in Zurich
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Anne Scherer, co-founder of Delta Labs AG and author of the book You and AI, explains why trust and comfort are crucial in human-machine interaction.
The development of AI has sparked a lot of interest and enthusiasm, and Anne Scherer thinks its rate of development is expected to continue to surprise us. Anne is co-founder of Delta Labs AG and author of the book You and AI, in which she tries to make people more aware of what's going on in this field by reducing fear of that technology. Before founding Delta Labs, she was an Assistant Professor of Quantitative Marketing at the University of Zurich, a researcher at ETH Zurich, and completed her PhD at the Technical University of Munich.
Anne shares her experience at ETH Zurich and how it influenced her entrepreneurial spirit, and discusses the intersection of AI and creativity. She explains why increasing AI literacy in society is important to have more informed discussions about AI.
This is her story.
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction and Personal Background
(02:00) The Connection Between Travel and Technology Exploration
(03:21) Taking Different Perspectives and Exploring New Things
(04:15) The Impact of AI and the Rate of Development
(05:41) The Hype Cycle and the Potential of AI
(07:02) Generative AI and its Ease of Use
(08:21) The Book 'You and AI'
(10:42) Trust and Comfort with AI
(12:31) The Design of Technology and Human Interaction
(14:44) ETH Experience and Research
(17:36) Becoming AI Literate
(18:33) Recommendations for Learning about AI
(19:59) AI and Creativity
(20:28) Conclusion
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Olivier de Weck is a leading systems engineering expert, which he describes as “the art and science of building, implementing, and operating complex systems.” Born in Switzerland, he holds degrees in industrial engineering from ETH Zurich (1993) and aerospace systems engineering from MIT (2001), where is now Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Engineering Systems.
In this episode of the We Are ETH Podcast, he compares ETH Zurich and MIT, highlighting their similarities and global impact. He explains the concept of “ilities” (as in reliability, flexibility, etc.) in systems engineering and its importance in designing and maintaining complex systems. He shares his fascination with space, and explains the potential for Mars settlement.
This is his story.
Chapters
(00:00) Introduction and ETH-MIT comparison
(01:10) Founding of ETH and MIT
(02:07) Definition of systems engineering
(03:00) Origins and growth of systems engineering
(03:57) Interdisciplinary research and systems science
(05:39) Importance of illities in systems
(06:35) Interest in space and Mars settlement
(11:50) Excitement in the field of space exploration
(13:41) Exploration of lagrange points
(15:06) Mars as a potential settlement
(17:15) Long-term vision for Mars settlement
(18:10) Educational background and journey to MIT
(21:28) ETH's space program and future opportunities
(22:45) Childhood dreams and current curiosity
(26:03) Reading preferences and interest in science fiction
(27:03) Favorite places in Zurich
(28:23) Closing remarks
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Georg Polzer went straight from completing his studies at ETH Zurich to co-founding Teralytics, an official Spin-Off company of ETH Zurich. An AI-powered platform providing mobility data solutions, Teralytics collects and analyzes large amounts of location data to improve transportation efficiency and equity.
Georg highlights the importance of designing transportation systems based on recent and all-encompassing data. He also emphasizes it is essential to incorporate the needs of all citizens, including vulnerable populations. With this information, he canhelp understand emerging trends, and advise how they impact people’s mobility choices.
This is his story.
(06:40) Starting Terralytics and Addressing Transportation Inefficiencies
(09:28) Using Data to Design Transportation for All Citizens
(12:42) Addressing Data Privacy and Protection in Transportation Data
(14:39) Designing Transportation for Different Groups of People
(17:53) The Role of AI and Machine Learning in Transportation Data Analysis
(19:43) How ETH Prepared Georg for His Work at Terralytics
(21:26) Georg's Childhood Aspirations and Current Curiosity
(23:28) Georg's Reading List and Hobbies
(24:39) Favorite Places in Zurich
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