Prof. em. Dr. Ladislaus Rybach

Ladislaus Rybach was head of the research group Geothermics and Radiometrics at the Institute of Geophysics until October 2000. In 1980 he was given the title of Professor.

Prof. Rybach was born on April 1, 1935 in Sopron, Hungary. He came to Switzerland in 1956 and received his diploma, doctorate and habilitation successively at the ETH. Post-Doc Rice University Houston/USA 1965-1966, Guest Scientist U.S. Geological Survey 1979 & 1981.

His research activities span general and applied geothermics as well as environmental radioactivity, natural and artificial. A method developed in his group is now routinely used to monitor the environs of the Swiss nuclear power plants. He has published over 400 papers and several textbooks (also in Russian and Chinese translations). He worked as an expert in Austria, China, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Romania, Turkey, and USA. After retirement he was co-founder and Managing Director (2002-1011) of the ETH Spin-off company GEOWATT AG, Zurich (now Scientific Advisor). He was 2001-2004 Vice President and 2007-2010 President of the International Geothermal Association (IGA).

Ladislaus Rybach is Honorary Guest ot University Zurich, Foreign Member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Honorary Member of the Hungarian Geophysical Society, recipient fo teh Japanese Government Reserach Award, of the Unione Geotermica Italiana Honorary Award, and of the GRC Henry Ramey Geothermal Reservoir Engineering Award. He is Honorary Professor and Doctor of the Eötvös University Budapest, Hungary.