Exceptional Mentoring – Awards 2025

More than 100 doctoral candidates nominated 32 exceptional supervisors at UZH for this prize. Each of these outstanding individuals has made a remarkable impact on the academic and personal growth of early career researchers. We appreciate their exceptional commitment and congratulate the following winners on their awards!

Professor Brugger was nominated by eight early career researchers for his exceptional mentoring skills. He is renowned for cultivating an inclusive and diverse environment where every opinion is respected and valued. His approach encourages PhD candidates to take risks, embrace mistakes, explore bold hypotheses, and approach research with creativity and independence.

Despite his demanding clinical and administrative responsibilities, Professor Brugger consistently prioritizes his mentees. He goes beyond providing research guidance, offering unwavering support for their professional and personal development, always placing their interests at the forefront. His dedication helps early career researchers to shape their scientific paths, develop distinct profiles, and build confidence in their abilities. 

Professor Frey was nominated not only by his current mentees but also by former PhD candidates who remain deeply appreciative of his guidance. He is widely regarded as an exemplary mentor who generously shares his extensive scientific network, provides thoughtful and constructive feedback, and is always available to support his mentees.

Professor Frey actively encourages his PhD candidates to present at conferences, apply for third-party funding, and pursue research stays abroad. His mentorship is both individualized and empowering, fostering the professional growth of mentees from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. By nurturing inclusion and inspiring confidence, he has created a thriving community of scholars. 

Anikó Hannák –Assistant Professor in Social Computing at the Department of Informatics, Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics

Professor Hannák was unanimously nominated by her entire team — eight PhD candidates and four postdocs. Under her exceptional guidance, her group consistently produces high-quality work showcased in top-tier conferences and journals, often with PhD candidates as first authors.

More importantly, her mentorship extends well beyond academic achievements. She creates an environment of trust and inclusivity where everyone feels safe, valued, and inspired. Her efforts to organize team-building activities such as group lunches and outings have fostered a sense of belonging and collaboration within her team.

Dr. Kannan Venugopal – Postdoc and Research Associate at the Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty

Dr. Venugopal impressed the jury with the breadth of his support, receiving nominations from PhD candidates, visiting students, the head of department, and the lab manager. Active in malaria research and with international experience in various labs, he is celebrated for his patience, generosity, and exceptional teaching skills.

Described as the “go-to” person for both scientific guidance and personal support, Dr. Venugopal fosters a positive and inspiring lab environment. He has a rare talent for igniting a passion for research while remaining deeply committed to the well-being of his mentees. The jury particularly wanted to highlight his extraordinary impact as a postdoc, emphasizing that he provides outstanding mentorship despite not holding the formal responsibilities of a primary supervisor. 

The following professors were also nominated by early career researchers for the UZH Mentoring Award 2025 (in alphabetical order):

Alberto Bacchelli, Lea Bartsch, Per Block, Felix Bommer, Johanna Buschmannn, Annushka Derks, Julia Dlugaiczyk, Gidon Frischkorn, Marian Galovic, Andrea Giuffredi-Kähr, Edna Gruenblatt, Sonja Hartnack, Fritjof Helmchen, Yves Karlen, Kathelijne Koops, Malwina Kowalska, Rolf Kümmerli, Patrick Neff, Dieter Pfaff & Patricia Ruffing-Straube, Corinna Reinhardt, Jan Schmutz, Markus Seeger, Kaspar Staub, Benjamin Straumann, Olga Timofeeva, Tobias Weiss,  Klaus Widmayer