Mini-interview with Jean-Nicolas Aebischer, HEIA-FR Director.

What sets the School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg (HEIA-FR) apart from other institutes working in the life sciences field?

What sets the HEIA-FR apart is its integrated approach which dovetails with and enhances the work carried out by other parts of the HES-SO (University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland), a network of 28 universities spread over seven cantons. Our Chemistry study programs and the activities of the affiliated ChemTech research institute focus on molecular sciences and industrial process engineering – in other words, the development of pilot-scale chemical and biotechnological processes – but with a particular emphasis on sustainability and circularity considerations.

Can you list some of your flagship projects?

We are actively involved in the ‘Catalysis’ NCCR, a Swiss research program aimed at improving the energy and molecular efficiency of catalytic processes. We also work with innovative companies such as Bloom Biorenewables, which transforms lignocellulosic materials into sustainable chemical products. Also worthy of note are our promising mechanochemistry research on solventless reactions and our partnership with Seprify, a start-up specializing in the development of sustainable pigments.

What role does technology transfer play in your mission?

An absolutely central one! For example, the Biofactory Competence Centre (BCC) is superbly equipped to meet the needs of the biopharmaceutical industry thanks to its tailored trainings and applied bioprocess engineering research. For an academic institution, the HEIA-FR has phenomenal infrastructures at its disposal. We are also committed to using our collective skills and expertise to benefit society and the economy and, in doing so, play a full and proactive part in boosting our canton’s capacity for innovation.