CGL companions congratulate Markus Gross on the lab's 30th anniversary
Twelve people with ties to the Computer Graphics Lab shared their thoughts on what Markus Gross and CGL mean to them on the occasion of the lab's 30th anniversary.
The Computer Graphics Lab (CGL) at ETH Zurich celebrated its 30th anniversary on 28 June 2024. It was an opportunity to look back in time and honour the achievements of the lab founded and still led today by Professor Markus Gross. The celebration consisted of two parts: a symposium and a social event. The symposium featured multiple short presentations where CGL alumni reflected on their time at ETH and shared their journeys and career paths after leaving the lab. We took the opportunity to talk to current and former associates of CGL about what the lab and Professor Markus Gross means to them. Read their statements below, and head to this article to learn more about CGL's history and main scientific achievements.
Prof. Olga Sorkine-Hornung
Interactive Geometry Lab (IGL), ETH Zurich
I remember the amazingly creative CGL presentations at ACM SIGGRAPH conferences in 2001 and 2002. They were absolutely perfect and technically sophisticated. We were all very impressed. In 2009, Markus invited me to Zurich for a visit to the lab. At lunch afterwards, he gave me the shock of my life when he asked me if I wanted to apply for an assistant professorship at ETH Zurich. That was a turning point in my life. And of course, I said yes!
Dr Tom Sprenger
CTO, bexio AG
I am grateful and proud to be part of the 30-year history of CGL as one of the first doctoral students to graduate under Markus Gross. It is impressive to see how CGL has developed since then. I pay Markus Gross the greatest respect for this. Due to my current job, I am unfortunately unable to apply all the knowledge I acquired at CGL in the field of computer graphics. Nevertheless, I still benefit from my time at the lab, because Markus is not only a very competent researcher, but also a person with excellent social skills. This has strongly influenced me and my current leadership style. I wish him and CGL all the best on the lab’s 30th anniversary.
Dr Stephan Würmlin Stadler
Co-founder and CEO, Nimagna
I am very grateful to Markus for getting me interested in computer graphics. His passion, intelligence and capacity to innovate are obvious to anyone who knows him. He not only imparted knowledge to me, but also became a good friend and counsellor over the years, encouraging me to start a company with the technologies we developed at CGL. I also met my business partner and friend Christoph Niederberger at CGL, with whom I have now been working for over 20 years. Without Markus and CGL, I would certainly not be the successful entrepreneur I am today.
Prof. Barbara Solenthaler
Computer Graphics Laboratory (CGL), ETH Zurich
CGL has always stood out for its visionary ideas that have profoundly shaped the field of Computer Graphics. Whether in point-based graphics, telepresence, physics simulation, or digital human technologies, CGL has consistently been at the forefront of innovation. Immersed in an inspiring environment with collaborators and friends at the Institute for Visual Computing and Disney Research, our doctoral students thrive, unlocking their full potential and surpassing their own limits. The research environment at CGL is unparalleled, and I am incredibly fortunate and grateful to have been part of this group for the past 14 years.
Prof. em. Emo Welzl
Theory of Combinatorial Algorithms Group, ETH Zurich
Markus was the only colleague who was here when I came to ETH and was still here when I retired. So, we shared almost 30 years at ETH. He and I had a lot of common scientific interests from the very beginning. But even more than that I appreciated the many inspiring conversations over lunch or dinner where we exchanged ideas, some professional, some not. What Markus has created with CGL and Disney Research is truly amazing.
Philine Witzig
Doctoral student, Computer Graphics Lab (CGL), ETH Zurich
For me, Markus and the entire CGL-team represent an incredibly rich ecosystem and a scientific treasure trove from which I’m sure I’ll benefit a lot throughout my career. Being a doctoral student at CGL, I value the connections to Disney Research and the Institute of Visual Computing where I can interact with researchers from very diverse backgrounds who never fail to inspire me in my creative process. Thanks to his immense experience and knowledge, Markus is also a great leader and advisor for us young researchers. He always provides useful guidance when I get stuck with a problem while at the same time leaving plenty of room for my own ideas and personal development.
Dr Riccardo Roveri
Senior Software Engineer - Avatar AI, NVIDIA
My time at CGL was a very important part of my career. Through Markus I learned a lot about entrepreneurship. He helped me understand that research is not just about exploring new ideas but also developing technologies and creating new products. Markus inspired me through his creativity and his ability to use technology as a vehicle to arouse emotions. This was crucial for me as I founded Animatico. And finally, Markus is a role model as far as the ability to bring very talented people together around a common goal is concerned.
Prof. Menna El-Assady
Interactive Visualization and Intelligence Augmentation Lab (IVIA), ETH Zurich
30 years CGL is a huge achievement. I’m starting to build my own lab now and it’s inspiring to see what Markus has accomplished over these 30 years. I look up to CGL as a place where Markus has been able to empower so many people to succeed while still having fun in the process and being not just a research group but also a community and a family. So, I’m looking forward to creating a lab that will hopefully be as successful as CGL.
Prof. Matthias Teschner
Computer Graphics Group, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg im Breisgau
Working as a young postdoctoral researcher at CGL from 2002 to 2004 was a very important building block in my academic career. After obtaining my docotoral degree in Erlangen and a first postdoctoral year at Stanford University, Markus Gross opened up a wide range of opportunities for professional development within CGL at ETH Zurich. I was integrated into the lecture program, took on project responsibilities and had the privilege of working and publishing with several extremely talented docotoral students. I have very fond memories of the atmosphere at CGL, which was characterized by the clear commitment of each individual to achieve scientific excellence.
At the same time, the diversity of research topics encouraged collegiality and mutual support. It is extremely impressive to see that working at CGL under Markus Gross was the cornerstone of a successful career in academia or industry for many docotoral students of that generation. My postdoc position at CGL ended with an appointment to a professorship in computer science at the University of Freiburg. This was a successful conclusion to a very enjoyable time in Switzerland.
Dr Fabio Zünd
Managing Director, Game Technology Center and Media Technology Center, ETH Zurich
I had the most incredible time at CGL’s 30th anniversary celebration. It was such a treat to catch up with all the amazing people I've had the pleasure to work with in the past. My time at CGL was very formative. It was exciting to work with so many bright but also warm and loving people. Markus Gross is a gifted leader and visionary, and I consider myself lucky to continue to work with him today. Working at the CGL is a wonderful mix of hard work and fun in which conducting world-class research and participating in top-tier conferences on the one hand and being a close-knit community on the other hand take equal parts.
Markus Portmann
Manager Operations, Computer Graphics Lab (CGL), ETH Zurich
I have had the pleasure of taking care of administrative matters at CGL for over twelve years. During this time, I have had the opportunity to get to know many interesting people and work in a familiar environment, which constantly enriches my day-to-day work. I particularly appreciate the close collaboration with Markus, Barbara and all CGL members, which is always characterised by trust and professionalism. Every day I experience how the most creative and best minds in their field successfully conduct research here and achieve ground-breaking results. I am very happy to be part of this great team and am grateful for the many inspiring moments I get to experience here.
Dr Thabo Beeler
Senior Staff Research Scientist, Google
Markus has shaped my professional career like no other; as a mentor at ETH, as a doctoral supervisor at CGL, as a manager at Disney Research and as a co-founder in various start-ups. I can still remember my first meeting with him. Coming from the University of Applied Sciences, I needed a reference on the ETH side, and my choice fell on Markus. We met in the canteen of the IFW building for a first interview - I was very nervous, but fortunately I was able to win Markus over. However, he was careful and politically savvy and added at the end of our conversation that we would install a "predetermined breaking point". I never found out where this point was, but I am very glad that it has held to this day.