An internationally recognized and widely cited epidemiologist, Matthias Egger trained in medicine (University of Bern) and epidemiology (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine). He had academic appointments at University College London and the University of Bristol before returning to the University of Bern in 2002 as professor of epidemiology and public health. In 2016 he stepped down from heading the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine and was elected to the Presidency of the National Research Council of the SNSF, which he has been a member of since 2010.
The impact on science in Switzerland of the funding decisions made by the council that Matthias Egger leads is large. Last year the SNSF evaluated 6900 grant applications and awarded 1 billion francs to 3400 proposals. During his first term heading the research council of the SNSF, Egger focused on quality of evaluation and making funding selections fair and transparent, leveling the field for all researchers who apply for SNSF funding. Open access to data and publications, along with gender equity and scientific integrity will remain among his priority interests during his second term.
With longstanding engagement in research funding and science policy internationally, scientific collaboration with Europe is more vital than ever in this time of pandemic. In a Swiss context, Matthias Egger is a member of the Swiss National COVID-19 Science Task Force, which advises the Swiss government on the novel coronavirus pandemic. Egger also led the task force from its inception through July this year. Egger notes that "the future of scientific collaboration with Europe will be on our minds. This question is of vital importance for research in Switzerland."
