Marc Friedli

I trained in Biology and Molecular Genetics at the University of Geneva and completed a PhD in functional genomics. I have been working at EPFL for over 15 years, including throughout my involvement in the Health 2030 initiative (2018–2025), where I contributed to the development of strategic programs in precision medicine within the Unit of Precision Medicine (SV). My activities have consistently focused on technology, innovation, and education in personalized health, precision medicine, and genomics.

This work sits at the interface between research, infrastructure, and institutional coordination, including aspects related to the handling of biological samples and associated data. From EPFL, I have been involved in the development of the Health 2030 Genome Center as a national infrastructure, and have worked closely with national initiatives such as SPHN and PHRT, as well as with the Federal Office of Public Health. Since 2021, I have coordinated Switzerland’s national genomic surveillance program for SARS-CoV-2, and set up and led EPFL’s COVID-19 testing center between 2021 and 2023. I also coordinate the EPFL master course Bio-491: New tools and research strategies in personalized health.

At EPFL, I am currently a member of the Teaching Conference (CCE), where I engage in discussions around education.

Through my candidacy to the EPFL Assembly and the SV School Council, I would like to contribute to a constructive dialogue across communities, with a focus on how we organize and support research, teaching, and shared infrastructures. I am particularly interested in ensuring that institutional decisions remain well connected to the realities of interdisciplinary work and evolving scientific practices.

Teaching & PhD

Courses

New tools & research strategies in personalized health

BIO-491

This course introduces the concept of personalized health, exploring its foundational technologies as well as the technological, legal, and ethical challenges the field currently faces. Strategies and approaches used to address these challenges will also be discussed.