Speakers
Our conference will feature inspiring speakers from various fields, sharing insights on advancing human performance and resilience in protective clothing. Stay tuned as we finalize the lineup!
Meet Our Keynote Speakers
René Rossi
René Rossi studied applied physics at the University of Neuchâtel and obtained his PhD at ETH Zurich. Since 2003, he has been leading the Laboratory for Biomimetic Membranes and Textiles at Empa, a group of around 40 researchers developing novel smart fibers and textiles for body monitoring, drug delivery, and tissue engineering applications. A special focus is to develop physical and numerical skin/body models for the analysis of the interactions between materials and the human skin to optimize the protection and ergonomics of systems. René Rossi is adjunct professor at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology at ETH Zurich and a founding member of ESPC.
Dr. Xiaojiang Xu
Dr. Xiaojiang Xu is a Biophysical Mathematical Modeler and a Principal Investigator for modeling and manikin research at US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine. His work aims to enhance human performance and health by minimizing medical risks in extreme environments, such as heat, cold, and water immersion. Dr. Xu’s expertise includes development of thermoregulatory models, evaluation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) relative to heat and cold stress, clothing biophysics and thermal physiology. He employs the modeling and manikin approach to investigate complex interactions between humans, PPE, and the environment, gaining insights into physiological responses. His research has led to the creation of the most advanced 3D thermoregulatory models, a thermoregulatory model for air and water, and vital decision support tools for end-users, including the Probability of Survival Decision Aid (PSDA) and Cold Weather Ensemble Decision Aid (CoWEDA). Since 2010, PSDA has been instrumental in optimizing maritime Search and Rescue operations.