Grégoire Castella

Grégoire Castella heads the Humanitarian Division of EPFL's EssentialTech Center, where he leads initiatives to bridge science, technology, and humanitarian action. After earning his Ph.D. in Life Science from the University of Lausanne, he spent several years with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) working in various conflict zones. His career spans humanitarian innovation and social entrepreneurship, including serving as Antenna Foundation deputy director where he developed solutions for poverty alleviation. He co-founded Watalux SA, a social startup focused on water solutions, and coordinated innovation initiatives for MSF Switzerland. In his current role at EPFL, he supports humanitarian organizations in leveraging science and technology to enhance their impact, focusing on developing practical solutions for communities in need. His expertise bridges the gap between technological innovation and humanitarian action, helping organizations implement effective solutions in challenging environments.