ETH Zurich, where he focused on developing novel optical quantum sensors to detect and visualize strongly correlated electronic phases in van der Waals heterostructures. He began his scientific ca- reer at the University of Warsaw, where he studied computer science and physics and completed his doctoral dissertation on the spectroscopy of quan- tum dots in 2018. Smoleński considers it a great privilege to now be working as an assistant professor in this inspiring environment in Basel. The numerous tasks he per- forms, such as planning the laboratory, ordering equipment, training students and collaborating with other researchers, mean there is never a dull mo- ment. “In addition, the scientific issues we deal with are very exciting and of interest to many people,” he says when asked what inspires him. “With our re- search, we contribute to the understanding of the world at the nanoscale.” Further information: Video with Tomasz Smoleński Research group Tomasz Smoleński “Van der Waals heterostructures provide us with an almost infinite number of new materials that offer an ideal platform for our investigations.“ Prof. Tomaz Smoleński Tomasz Smoleński and his team work with Van der Waals heterostructures, which consist of a few atomic layers of different materials. 14 SNI INSight December 2025