ETH Studio Student Stories – Frontier of Innovation
July 31, 2025This summer, check out some the interesting and inspiring journeys of ETH Zurich students who stepped outside the classroom and into innovation ecosystems around the world through ETH Studios.
From collaborating with Bloomberg in New York to exploring machine learning in the Swiss Alps, investigating extraterrestrial life with NASA, and reflecting on Europe’s tech future, these student-authored stories offer a unique glimpse into how ETH talent is shaping global conversations.
Here’s your curated summer reading list, straight from the ETH Ambassadors Blog:
1. SQL, LLMs, Bagels and Skyscrapers – A Journey of 5 ETH Students in NYC
By Maša Nešić, Maurice Hanisch, Eric Nothum, Vinícius Mohr, and Carlo Teufel

What happens when five ETH students step into the heart of the financial world for a 3-day tech challenge at Bloomberg’s New York office? A lot of learning, a lot of inspiration and just enough time for a bagel break. In their own words, “We meticulously worked on the project, exploring our team’s dynamics and attempting to put everyone’s skills to best use.”
2. Bridging Innovation and Inspiration – TECH 2025 Heilbronn
As part of the ETH delegation to TECH 2025 in Heilbronn, Giancarla reflects on the power of global dialogue, the challenges of scaling innovation in Europe, and why being part of ETH means more than just studying. She emphasizes, “I arrived with curiosity and left with inspiration. Being part of ETH Zurich’s story continues to be one of the greatest privileges of my life.”

3. Mayhem in New York

What started as a spontaneous interview turned into a full-blown mentorship adventure in New York City. Noè’s story captures the unpredictability and opportunity that ETH Studio experiences can spark. He says, “Despite the challenges, this experience reinforced my love for tackling new opportunities and mentoring others.”
4. Machine Learning Meets Geology: My Internship at SLF Davos
At ETH Studio Davos, Paulina blended AI with earth sciences to explore how computer vision can detect borehole fractures, a step toward smarter, safer geotechnical work. She shares, “One of the highlights of my internship was the people I had the chance to work with. The team at SLF was made up of researchers and professionals from all over the world, each bringing a unique perspective to their work.”

5. Learning About Extraterrestrial Life Detection at NASA JPL
By Marco Trentini and Adrian Fuhrer

How do you detect life on a moon of Saturn? During their seven-month stay at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Adrian and Marco focused on developing instruments that can be used to detect life forms on other planets, particularly Enceladus, a moon of Saturn. Their work in the Chemical Analysis and Life Detection Lab aimed to understand and utilize the chemical processes involved in detecting life on other planets!
ETH Studios
ETH Studios are global innovation outposts where ETH students tackle real-world challenges alongside companies, researchers, and startups. Whether in New York, Heilbronn, Davos, or at the experimental StudioX, students gain entrepreneurial and interdisciplinary experience while contributing to sustainable and tech-driven solutions.
Contact Francesca Caggiula at eth-studios@ethz.ch if you are interested in more information on and about the ETH Studios.
Happy reading!