- Communication
New leadership appointments in research
12.11.2021 Following two retirements and a departure, the three research institutes at the Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering Department of Bern University of Applied Sciences are now under new leadership. We wish to thank the departing employees for their tremendous commitment and wish their successors every success in their new positions.
Institute for Urban Development and Infrastructure ISI
Dr Jolanda Jenzer took over the management of the Institute for Urban Development and Infrastructure ISI on 1 August 2021 from Martin Stolz, who is retiring. Mrs Jenzer’s field of expertise is hydraulic engineering. After graduating with a degree in civil engineering from the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) and then spending four years working for a private engineering studio, she gained her doctorate on the problem of reservoir sedimentation. She then worked for IUB Engineering AG in Bern, once again in the field of hydraulic engineering. She has been a Professor of Hydraulic Engineering at Bern University of Applied Sciences since 2017. The researchers at the Institute for Urban Development and Infrastructure conduct studies on quality of life, residential developments that are pleasant to live in and efficient infrastructure buildings, but also support industry partners in creating resource-friendly, energy-saving and integrated spatial developments.
Institute for Timber Construction, Structures and Architecture IHTA
On 1 September 2021, Martin Geiser took over as Head of the Institute for Timber Construction, Structures and Architecture IHTA from Andreas Müller who is handing over the baton in view of his forthcoming retirement. Martin Geiser is a trained carpenter and studied wood engineering. He has been lecturing at Bern University of Applied Sciences since 1997 and has been a Professor of Earthquake Engineering since 2015. The Institute for Timber Construction, Structures and Architecture is a partner for innovative and real-world solutions for construction projects – from the design and planning to the actual construction of new builds and other developments.
Institute for Digital Economy in the Construction and Wood Industry IdBH
Following the departure of Rolf Baumann on 1 October 2021, Norbert Winterberg has taken over as Head of the Institute for Digital Economy in the Construction and Wood Industry IdBH. With an economics degree from the University of St. Gallen, Norbert Winterberg has been Professor of Management and Market Research at BFH since 2019 and is also head of the area of competence of the same name. He previously held management positions in industrial and technology companies, including Holcim Group Services Ltd, Livinguard AG and Schoeller Technologies AG. At the Institute for Digital Economy in the Construction and Wood Industry IdBH, researchers analyse markets, methods and technologies and develop new cost-efficient solutions for the construction and wood industries of tomorrow.
Research and Development, Services and Continuing Education Division
Dr Frédéric Pichelin, Head of the Institute for Materials and Wood Technology and since the start of the year Joint Head of the Research and Development, Services and Continuing Education division (FDW), has now taken over the entire FDW division following the departure of Rolf Baumann. Dr Pichelin has been conducting research and lecturing at BFH-AHB since 2001.
