ERIP Students’ blog
Hottest physics at the coolest place
Being accepted as a research intern at EPFL’s Swiss Plasma Center (SPC), a world leader in nuclear fusion research with its own tokamak, was a dream come true for me. I still remember being amazed by the view on my very first day. Across a field of sprouting maize and against the backdrop of the (…)
Plasma Physics in Paradise
On the shores of Lac Léman, between the magnificent peaks of the Alps and the gentle mountains of the Jura, exists a place where conversations about plasma physics intertwine with stories of epic alpine adventures, where notebooks filled with equations share backpacks with mountain gear ready for the next hike. It’s an amazing place, as (…)
Choosing To Be Uncomfortable
Choosing to study abroad in Switzerland was one of the most uncertain decisions I’ve ever made. About a year ago, I had taken a leap and flown outside of Canada to intern in a distant part of the world (not Switzerland). The lab had a very different work culture, support was limited, and I struggled (…)
Molecules and Mountains exploring the Cantons
I chose the Thomä Lab because of my personal and academic interest in cancer research. My research project was about molecular glues, specifically the VHL E3 ligase complex. I worked on applying different molecular glue compounds to yeast two-hybrid assays to assess their ability to induce protein-protein interactions. The lab environment was efficient and collaborative. (…)
Sports and nature: A successful Swiss summer
Before the start of my internship in May, I envisioned a typical day of my 2025 summer in Switzerland like this: Wake up, make röstis for breakfast, commute to EPFL with the most efficient public transport system you could imagine, work in cutting-edge infrastructures with brilliant researchers, eat a fondue for dinner and finish the (…)
Biodegradable plastics, nondegradable memoriesd
I tend to be reserved when using superlatives, and I try to not use them unless I absolutely mean it. Yet, here’s one: EPFL’s Excellence Research Internship Program (ERIP) made the summer of 2025 the best one so far. From Bioinspired Materials 2025 As a sophomore at The Johns Hopkins University, when the question (…)
Neurons & Nature
Finishing my presentation at 3 a.m., I finally have a chance to reflect on the journey that brought me to this point. I worked in the Cells and Neuromathematics Group at the Simulation Neuroscience division in the Blue Brain Project, which is a large group of researchers, PhD students, post-docs, and software engineers working together (…)
Switzerland, the Swiss, and Swiss Engineering
Hi there, my name is Jonathan, originally from Indonesia but I am an undergraduate in Singapore. As a student, my scientific interest lies in the field of metallurgy. While my home university has an excellent materials department, there is little focus on metallurgical sciences. When the opportunity to apply for ERIP came across, I was (…)
A Summer of Learning
I almost didn’t apply to EPFL’s Excellence Research Internship Program (ERIP). In my mind, working abroad in a laboratory in Switzerland for a summer was a distant dream. But with encouragement from my family, I applied despite my doubts. Looking back, I’m glad I stepped outside of my comfort zone as this past summer at (…)
A transformative journey
August 6, 2022. 18:48. Air Canada flight AC421 arrives at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Descending from the plane, I set foot on Canadian soil for the first time in over three months. Same me, but with some notable differences. Looking back, it’s easy to see how my experience this summer could be described as “life-changing.” (…)