Olaf Blanke

Bertarelli Foundation Chair in Cognitive Neuroprosthetics Center for Neuroprosthetics & Brain-Mind Institute Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL)

Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Geneva

Olaf Blanke is Bertarelli Foundation Chair of Cognitive Neuroprosthetics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), where he directs the Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience at Geneva’s Campus Biotech. He founded and directed EPFL’s Center for Neuroprosthetics (2012-2018) and is Professor at Geneva University Hospital. Blanke’s research focuses on the neuroscience of consciousness and embodiment, human augmentation and personalized medicine. Blanke pioneered the development and integration of robotic and virtual reality technology in neuroscience of embodiment and consciousness studies. His medical activities are dedicated to the application of these innovations to novel diagnostics and therapeutics in neurological patients with chronic pain and Parkinson’s disease, in patients suffering from psychiatric disease, and for well-being and mental health applications. Blanke’s research launched the field of immersive digiceuticals. He advises then VR company Imverse, is on the Board of the neurotech company Mindmaze, and co-founder of the Well-being tech company Metaphysiks (all spin-off companies from Blanke’s Lab at EPFL).