Brendan Karch
Deputy CEO and Head of Programs
FOSTERING INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE
Academia
Located in Boston and New York, two of the world's most prolific knowledge hubs, we scout ideas and foster collaborations to solve the challenges of tomorrow. We connect Swiss and North American universities, researchers, and academics fostering the international exchange of research and ideas.
Our Highlights
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Spotlight: De-Risking Discovery
July 2, 2026A conversation with Samuel Inverso, Director of Business Development for Partnerships at Harvard’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, on an expanding academia-industry collaboration and how it’s translating research into real-life impact.
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Biotech Summer
June 4, 2026Discover our season of activities connecting Swiss biotech in Boston and beyond.
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Spotlight: Plastics, Policy, and the Planet
May 11, 2026A conversation with Maria Ivanova, Co-Director of the Plastics Center and Director of the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University, on how universities and the arts can shape policy and Switzerland’s distinctive role in multilateral environmental governance.
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Spotlight: Tough Tech for Tough Questions
March 13, 2026Philippe Roesle reflects on seven months on the East Coast, and shares his take on what makes Boston unique.
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Swiss Quantum Strategy Released
March 6, 2026The document, written by the Swiss Quantum Commission, recommends steps to further enhance Switzerland's position as an international hub for quantum.
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ZHAW Staff Build Connections in Boston and New York
February 9, 2026In 2026, seven faculty and staff from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences are headed to the East Coast to spark new international collaborations.
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Swissnex Quantum Summit 2025: Key Insights
November 10, 2025Explore 25 takeaways from Geneva on connecting quantum ecosystem builders across borders.
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When Art and Science Illuminate Each Other
October 29, 2025Artist Alan Bogana and scientist Marilyne Andersen explore how light can shape both matter and meaning, sharing insights from their collaboration at EPFL and the creation of the exhibition Lighten Up!, now on view at the MIT Museum.
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Lighten Up! Symposium
October 29, 2025Swissnex and the MIT Museum present an art-science symposium on light, rhythm, time, sleep, and perception.
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Lighten Up! Panel Discussion and Opening Reception
October 28, 2025Join us at the MIT Museum for the opening of Lighten Up!, an exhibition exploring light, rhythm, time, sleep, and perception.
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Quantum Supply Chains: Building Resilient Innovation Ecosystems
October 22, 2025Join us for the second edition of Quantum Commons, a discussion on quantum ecosystem building over an afternoon tea at the British Consulate-General Boston.
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Broadway Bites: From First Breath to Long-Term Health
October 15, 2025In this edition of our monthly seminar series in Boston, Swiss researcher Leandra Ramin-Wright presents her work on long-term pulmonary health outcomes.
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2025 Swissnex Quantum Summit
October 13, 2025Bringing together key ecosystem builders from several countries to discuss how to jointly accelerate breakthroughs and shape the quantum economy.
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Beyond the Alps: Sweet Entanglements
October 7, 2025Swissnex and metaLAB (at) Basel present an experiential lecture-workshop on the metabolic, cultural, and technological entanglements of sugar, from Swiss chocolate to maple syrup, in the context of the metaLAB’s human-ecological health research focus.
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Reimagining Urban Futures Through Detroit’s Landscape
September 5, 2025What is the future of the urban landscape? Join us for a conversation with experts from Switzerland, Detroit, and beyond.
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Aquatic Robots: Engineering the Future of Ocean Science
August 20, 2025Hear from engineers and researchers at MIT and WHOI about how advances in robotics are unlocking new tools for understanding our oceans.
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Biological Engineering: A Conversation on the Future of Medicine
July 23, 2025Join Swissnex and the University of Basel for a conversation on how cell and organ engineering is transforming medicine—from lab-grown tissues to patient therapies.
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Broadway Bites: Laser-Guided Lightning
July 16, 2025Hear from Swiss scientist Farhad Rachidi about his research on lightning protection, including the Laser Lightning Rod.
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Broadway Bites: Observing the Unseen
July 8, 2025In this edition of our monthly seminar series in Boston, Swiss artist-researcher Nina Caviezel presents her transdisciplinary exploration of the hydrogen atom.
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Quantum Policy at the Crossroads
June 10, 2025Join us for the launch event of a new series, Quantum Commons, bringing together the quantum community with the quantum curious to discuss the future of this emerging technology.
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Swiss Reception at NAFSA 2025
May 27, 2025The official reception of the Swiss higher education institutions at the world's largest conference on international education and exchange.
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Swiss Alumni Night NYC
May 2, 2023The NYC edition of our networking event for alumni and former affiliates of Swiss universities, in partnership with the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York.
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Swiss Alumni Night Boston
November 12, 2025Join us for a cozy autumn edition of our networking event for alumni and former affiliates of Swiss universities.
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Broadway Bites: Learning from Zurich’s Architecture Competitions
May 7, 2025Join us for a lunch conversation with Susanne Schindler on how architecture competitions promote quality, affordability, and trust in Zurich’s housing development process.
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ZHAW Strengthens US Ties Through Staff Visits
April 10, 2025In 2025, seven faculty and staff members from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) will visit Boston and New York to pursue research and foster academic partnerships with American peers.
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Beyond the Alps: Music in Shifting Spaces
April 3, 2025Join us for an augmented reality acoustic experience as Swiss musician and composer Jessie Cox presents a live performance of his piece Black/Blackness.
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Broadway Bites: AI for Safer Streets
March 26, 2025Hear from the Swiss and Massachusetts-based researchers using drones and AI to improve traffic safety on Somerville streets.
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Broadway Bites: Robert Mahari
January 29, 2025Robert Mahari, a Swiss-American researcher at Harvard Law School and the MIT Media Lab, discusses the future of AI and the legal profession.
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Climate Extremes: Planetary and Human Health Under Stress
February 13, 2025Join a discussion on the wide-ranging impacts of extreme climate events on our health, communities, and planetary systems.
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University Presidents Tackle Leadership in Times of Crisis
September 6, 2024Swissnex and swissuniversities hosted a virtual conversation with university leaders comparing leadership challenges in higher education across the US and Switzerland.
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University in Lugano Launches Boston Sustainability Study Tour
July 3, 2024An inaugural delegation of EMBA students from Università della Svizzera italiana will arrive in Boston next week to learn about sustainable innovation and business practices.
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Broadway Bites: Julia Meyer
June 27, 2024Julia Meyer, from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, discusses the future of sustainable finance.
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Broadway Bites: Ana Andrijevic
April 10, 2024Join us for our monthly community lunch at 420 Broadway in Cambridge. This month: Ana Andrijevic from the University of Geneva discusses the impact of generative AI on copyright law.
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HEG-FR Group Investigates Innovation in Boston
March 28, 2024The study tour of Swiss EMBA students came to Boston in March to study sustainability and scalability in innovation.
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International Panel on Quantum Talent in Washington
February 22, 2024This February, an event at Johns Hopkins University’s brand new Bloomberg Center in Washington brings together perspectives from the US, Switzerland, and Finland on the human capital behind quantum.
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Zurich Researchers Forge Relationships on the East Coast
February 2, 2024Fourteen faculty and staff members from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences are traveling to Boston and New York in 2024 to conduct research and build connections with their peers in the US.
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New Mapping of Swiss Quantum Ecosystem
November 3, 2023Discover an overview of the major players and highlights of the Swiss quantum ecosystem, developed in the framework of Swissnex’s global initiative on quantum technology.
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Key Insights from the Swissnex Quantum Summit
October 30, 2023From the role of governments to the dangers of excessive hype, Swissnex’s flagship conference on quantum technology tackled a wide range of issues in this emerging industry.
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Swissnex at the Quantum World Congress in Washington
September 27, 2023At an international forum, Swissnex joined a Swiss delegation to discuss how to best advance global strategic partnerships in quantum science and technology.
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US Quantum Company IonQ to Establish Presence in Basel
July 5, 2023Through a new partnership with QuantumBasel, the prominent quantum computer manufacturer will open an innovation center and deploy next-generation systems at uptownBasel in Switzerland.
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Swissnex Launches Global Quantum Initiative From Boston
May 8, 2023Project Quantum connects Switzerland and the world in quantum science and technology through activities across the Swissnex network, including a flagship summit in Lausanne this October.
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Swiss-US Academic Relations Bolstered By New Dual Degree
May 2, 2023An agreement between the Zurich University of Applied Sciences and the Worcester Polytechnic Institute creates opportunities for international study and accreditation from both institutions.
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Swissnex Hosts Reception for Quantum Innovators
May 1, 2023As part of the Quantum.Tech 2023 conference in Boston, Swissnex hosted a reception to connect Swiss quantum innovators with their colleagues from across the world.
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Swissnex Explores The Future of Quantum in Toronto
April 19, 2023A Swiss-Canadian discussion at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy explored the economic promise of quantum science and innovation and potential for bilateral cooperation.
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Boosting Gender Diversity in Quantum
April 14, 2023Join Swissnex for this World Quantum Day event as we explore how to improve gender diversity in quantum technology and related STEM fields.
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HEG-FR Deepens Ties with Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School
April 6, 2023The business schools are collaborating on two one-week leadership programs in the Boston area this month. Thematic focus: impact and sustainability.
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Global Health: Where Do We Go From Here?
February 28, 2023How can we advance global health in an increasingly fragmented world? Discover insights on this question from the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023.
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Swissnex to Present on Quantum at AAAS 2023
February 28, 2023Brendan Karch will discuss models for international collaboration in quantum research at the conference in Washington, DC.
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New US-Switzerland Quantum Symposium in Basel
February 27, 2023Taking place this March at uptownBasel, the conference will feature leading researchers from Switzerland and the US for a two-day deep dive into quantum technology.
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Zurich-Based University Extends Its Reach on the US East Coast
February 6, 2023Twelve experts from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) will travel to Boston, New York, and Washington, DC, in 2023 to exchange knowledge and forge connections with American peers.
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Innovations in Healthcare: Transgender Health
November 29, 2022In the final installment of the ‘Innovations in Healthcare’ webinar series, learn more about treatment models and health initiatives that provide universal and inclusive medical care to transgender individuals.
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Swissnex at the Inaugural Quantum World Congress in Washington
November 22, 2022Brendan Karch, Head of Academic Engagement at Swissnex in Boston and New York, will represent Switzerland at the session on National Quantum Programs on November 30.
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Swiss-US Quantum Days
October 19, 2022 — October 21, 2022A new conference bringing together key players from Switzerland and the United States in quantum information science and technology.
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Accelerating the Quantum Revolution Across Switzerland and the US
October 20, 2022Launched by Swissnex, the Swiss-US Quantum Days conference is part of a broader bilateral effort to deepen the entanglement of the two leading ecosystems in quantum information science and technology.
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Four New Swissnex Fellows Focusing on Science Diplomacy
August 11, 2022Part of the US-based National Science Policy Network’s “SciDEAL” Program, the four early-career scientists will work with Swissnex in fields such as quantum information science and technology.
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Swissnex Connect 2022
September 22, 2022As summer draws to a close and universities return for the fall semester, we gather in the park to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
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Innovations in Healthcare: Neurodegenerative Disorders
October 4, 2022This online event will present innovative diagnosis and treatment models to address the needs of patients affected by Parkinson’s and other forms of neurodegeneration.
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Innovations in Healthcare: Women’s Health
May 12, 2022In this online event, learn about new treatment models and health initiatives that bring greater equity, deeper compassion, and improved outcomes to the field of women’s health.
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New Partnership Brings Swiss and Boston Business Schools Together
April 21, 2022The School of Management Fribourg (HEG-FR) and Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School (SBS) have signed a new five-year agreement that deepens collaborations between the Swiss and Boston-area business education ecosystems.
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Built Environment: Where Do We Go From Here?
April 6, 2022How do we balance ecological, development, and equity needs as we construct new living spaces and workspaces for a growing planet? Join the first edition of a new Swissnex series addressing the biggest global challenges of our post-2020 world.
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Swiss University Study Tours Return to Boston
March 30, 2022After a pandemic hiatus of in-person study tours, Swissnex is pleased to host two study tours from the Fribourg School of Management this April, including 20 master's students in entrepreneurship and 10 Executive MBA students.
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The Future of Collaborative Spaces
November 10, 2021Swissnex and SOSO are launching a new, flexible framework for pooling resources across knowledge organizations in order to solve pressing global issues. We call it The Collaboration Stack. Join us to discover its genesis and its future.
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Keeping It Cool
October 13, 2021Swiss students and American researchers working at the forefront of cooling technologies present solutions for more sustainable climate-controlled environments.
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Meet the Next Generation of Science Diplomats
September 10, 2021A cohort of professionals from 13 countries convened virtually in 2021 for an intensive two-week course to fast-track their way to becoming seasoned in science diplomacy.
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Back to School 2021: Picnic in the Park
September 29, 2021As summer draws to a close and universities return to an in-person fall semester, we gather in the park to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
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HSLU Innovation Bootcamp at MIT
September 17, 2021 — October 15, 202130 days, 10 graduate students from Lucerne University (HSLU) and one “energy” challenge: In cooperation with MIT researchers and students, the cohort will be working on and living 24/7 the challenge of finding a radical, novel air conditioning and cooling system, reducing the negative impact of billions of AC units to come.
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Innovation in Healthcare: Medical Devices
July 7, 2021For the third and final installment in this conference series, from HESAV and Swissnex in Boston, we will be discussing innovations in the field of Medical Devices.
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VR in Healthcare
May 19, 2021In this second iteration of a three-part series, HESAV and Swissnex in Boston bring you a conference on the applications and uses of Virtual Reality in Healthcare.
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AI in Healthcare
March 18, 2021Launching a cycle of conferences around the themes of Innovation in Healthcare. This first conference focused on Artificial Intelligence, and its applications in Healthcare.
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Covid-19: Has Science Communication Failed?
March 16, 2021A global panel of science communication experts exchanging insights in breaking down the science behind the pandemic to the public.
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AAAS Annual Meeting: Space Tech and Biodiversity
February 8, 2021At the AAAS | 2021 Annual Meeting join us for our Scientific Session: Using Technology to Improve Understanding of Changes to Biodiversity.
Mobility Programs
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ZHAW Staff Mobility
Through a collaboration with Swissnex, the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) works to internationalize its scientific and academic programs by offering its researchers and staff the opportunity to travel the globe to advance their research and professional connections.
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Movetia-Swissnex
Swissnex and Movetia are working together to facilitate and support mobility and cooperation projects outside of Europe for Swiss educational institutions. The six Swissnex main locations offer Movetia stakeholders a range of services, including matchmaking, workshops, scouting activities, and project facilitation.
Learn More
Contacts
Lisa Kurth
Academia and Arts Manager
Marit Ruof
Programs Associate
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ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships
ThinkSwiss is a research scholarship program funded by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), that promotes research opportunities in Switzerland for students at U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities and fosters exchange between Swiss, US, and Canadian universities and research institutions.
Learn more
Swiss Grants for US Scholars
Find a list of available grants and scholarships to support your research in Switzerland.
