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Michael W.I. Schmidt is a Full Professor of Physical Geography in the Department of Geography at the University of Zurich (UZH) . He has been a faculty member since 2002, advancing from Assistant to Full Professor in 2014. His research focuses on soil biogeochemistry, particularly soil carbon cycling under climate change, microbial carbon use efficiency, and the stability of pyrogenic organic matter. Research Interests: His work investigates how deep soils respond to warming, the role of microbes in carbon sequestration, and the long-term fate of biochar in soils. He leads the Swiss National Science Foundation project Deep C: Deep soil carbon cycling in a warming world (2017–2023) and collaborates with international institutions including the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Lawrence Berkeley Lab, and Cornell University. Publication Trends: His recent articles (2019–2025) reflect a strong focus on climate change impacts on soil carbon, with frequent publications in high-impact journals such as Nature , Nature Geoscience , and Global Change Biology . Key themes include microbial carbon use efficiency, deep soil warming, peatland carbon dynamics, and the stabilization of organic matter. His work increasingly integrates field experiments, molecular analysis, and global synthesis. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Mercator Fellow, German Research Foundation (DFG), 2021 Teacher of the Hour 2020 (student election) Advising and Grants: While specific students are not listed, he leads major funded research projects and has supervised numerous PhD and Master’s theses. He has served as Program Director for five Bachelor and Master programs at UZH (2018–2020), indicating strong academic leadership. His research is supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation and international collaborations. Labs and Teams: He is affiliated with the Department of Geography at UZH and participates in international networks such as the National Hub of the European Joint Program Soil and the Deep Soil Warming Experiment Network. His work involves interdisciplinary teams focusing on soil biogeochemistry, climate change, and sustainable land use.

• Soil Biogeochemistry
• Soil Carbon Cycling
• Climate Change Impacts on Soils
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Dr. Aurélien Bailly is affiliated with the University of Zurich in the Department of Plant and Microbial Biology . His research focuses on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as signaling molecules in plant-microbe communication, particularly in mediating growth and immune responses. Research Interests Molecular mechanisms of VOC-mediated cross-kingdom signaling Plant perception of bacterial volatiles Trade-offs between growth and immunity via phytohormones Functional characterization of microbial VOC bouquets Publication Trends highlight work on Arabidopsis thaliana and rhizobacteria, with emphasis on auxin transport , systemic resistance , and biocontrol strategies . His articles span disciplines including microbial ecology , plant physiology , and chemical biology .

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in plant-microbe interactions
• Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions
• Induced systemic resistance in plants
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Monika Maurhofer is a Professor at the Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich , specializing in multitrophic interactions within the rhizosphere. Her research bridges plant pathology, microbial ecology, and biological control of plant diseases and insect pests. 1988: Dipl. sc. nat., ETH Zurich 1993: Dr. sc. nat., ETH Zurich Research focuses on biocontrol pseudomonads and their molecular interactions with plants, fungi, and insects. Key projects include: Understanding Pseudomonas protegens mechanisms in rhizosphere colonization Comparative genomics of entomopathogenic bacteria Developing disease-suppressive compost diagnostics Investigating microbial consortia for pest control 2024-2025 publications highlight her work on entomopathogenic pseudomonads and nematode-bacteria symbiosis , with applications in sustainable agriculture. She received the Golden Owl Award for teaching excellence in 2014 and 2017. Current collaborations include Syngenta Crop Protection and interdisciplinary teams at University of Zurich and University of Basel.

• Plant Pathology
• Microbial Ecology
• Biological Control
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Moritz Lehmann is a Professor at the Department of Environmental Sciences , University of Basel , specializing in Aquatic and Isotope Biogeochemistry . His research spans Aquatic Biogeochemistry , Stable Isotope Geochemistry , and Microbial Ecology , with a focus on lake and marine systems. Education: PhD in Environmental Geochemistry/Stable Isotope Geochemistry from ETH Zurich (2002). Professional Roles: Full Professor (2017–present), Head of Department (2019–2023), Cox Visiting Professor at Stanford University (2018). Research Trends: Recent publications highlight his work on lake sediment priming effects , oxygen isotope calibration , nitrous oxide kinetics , and methanogenesis in oxic waters . Collaborative projects with institutions like ETH Zurich and Stanford emphasize stable isotope analysis and biogeochemical modeling . Leadership & Grants: Served on the Department Board of Directors (2017–2023) and as Dean of Research (2014–2017). Led projects funded by agencies including the Federal Office for Agriculture and Zurich Basel Plant Science Centre .

• Aquatic Biogeochemistry
• Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry
• Organic Geochemistry
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PD Dr. Jochen Klumpp is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST) at ETH Zurich. His research focuses on bacteriophage biology, bacterial pathogenesis, and antimicrobial strategies. He leads studies on phage-host interactions, phage-based diagnostics, and phage therapy applications, particularly targeting pathogens like Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Key research areas include phage resistance mechanisms, genomic analysis of bacterial pathogens, and development of broad-spectrum phage cocktails. His work spans food safety, clinical microbiology, and evolutionary virology. Recent studies emphasize engineering phages for rapid pathogen detection in clinical samples and exploring phage diversity in environmental and clinical settings. Publications highlight innovations in phage taxonomy, CRISPR-Cas9 systems in bacteria, and structural biology of phage-tail components. Collaborations with global institutions, including Thailand and Kenya, underscore his commitment to addressing global health challenges through phage research. Awards: None explicitly listed. Advising/Grants: No student names or grant details provided. Research is supported through institutional and collaborative funding. Labs/Teams: Part of D-HEST's microbiology and biotechnology research groups, focusing on applied and fundamental phage research.

• Bacteriology
• Virology
• Microbiology
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Camille Delavaux is a researcher affiliated with ETH Zurich's Department of Global Ecosystem Ecology, part of the Professorship for Global Ecosystem Ecology. Her work focuses on plant-microbe interactions, ecosystem ecology, and biogeographic patterns. Key research interests include island biogeography, microbial diversity, invasion biology, and the application of environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques. She has conducted fieldwork in diverse locations like the Galapagos Islands, Panama, and semi-arid prairie ecosystems. Her research explores how mutualistic relationships (e.g., mycorrhizal fungi) influence plant diversity and community dynamics, with studies addressing topics such as latitudinal diversity gradients, invasive species impacts, and soil microbial feedback mechanisms. She has contributed to developing molecular tools for identifying arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and advocated for integrative approaches in ecological research, including the use of large language models in science. Delavaux collaborates on projects spanning tropical forests, post-agricultural grasslands, and island ecosystems, emphasizing the role of microbes in planetary health and the Sustainable Development Goals. Her work bridges field ecology, molecular biology, and computational methods to address global ecological challenges.

• Ecosystem Ecology
• Biogeography
• Microbial Diversity
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Kentaro Shimizu is a Full Professor and Director of the Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. He holds additional roles as Guest Professor at Yokohama City University and Visiting Professor at Kyoto University. His research focuses on molecular mechanisms of biodiversity, speciation via polyploidy, and evolutionary genomics of plants (Arabidopsis, wheat, tropical trees) and humans. He develops tools like HomeoRoq for polyploid RNA-seq analysis and GeLaTo for integrating genetic and linguistic data. Education: Ph.D. in Biology, Kyoto University (1997–2002) B.S. in Biology, Kyoto University (1993–1997) Research Interests: His work bridges evolutionary biology, ecology, and computational biology. Key areas include: Genomic basis of speciation and adaptation in polyploid plants Plant defense mechanisms against herbivores Language evolution correlations with genetic diversity Development of bioinformatics tools for genomic analysis Awards: 2015 NISTEP Award for contributions to research Grants & Leadership: Swiss representative of the Multinational Arabidopsis Steering Committee Director of the PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology (2016–present) Co-director of the University Research Priority Program 'Evolution in Action' (2021–2024) Labs & Teams: His lab integrates fieldwork, genomics, and machine learning to study plant evolution. Collaborations span institutions globally, including projects on wheat resistance and tropical tree conservation.

• Molecular basis of biodiversity
• Speciation by genome duplication (polyploidy)
• Evolutionary genomics
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Prof. Thomas Wicker is a Professor at the University of Zurich's Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, affiliated with the Mathematisch-naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät (Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences). His research focuses on molecular plant biology, phytopathology, and genome evolution with an emphasis on transposable elements (TEs) and their role in genomic dynamics. Wicker leads the Molecular Plant Biology/Phytopathology group, developing computational tools for genome analysis and contributing to projects like the TREP database for transposable elements. His work integrates comparative genomics and bioinformatics to study plant-pathogen interactions, particularly in wheat and its fungal pathogens like powdery mildew. He also explores metagenomics of lichens and contributes to crop improvement through genomic studies. Education details are not explicitly stated in the provided texts, but his academic career includes positions as a Privatdozent (2011) and Titularprofessor (2021). His research has led to over 100 publications, including landmark studies on pathogen genome evolution and wheat resistance mechanisms. Collaborations include projects on einkorn wheat genomics and international efforts to map disease resistance genes. Wicker's lab develops publicly available bioinformatics software for genomic analysis, underscoring his commitment to open science. His work bridges fundamental research and applied agriculture, addressing challenges in crop resilience and genetic diversity. Wicker's scientific contributions include identifying mechanisms of TE-driven genome evolution, analyzing effector genes in pathogens, and tracing the global spread of plant diseases linked to historical human activity. His team's studies on wheat powdery mildew revealed hybridization events influencing pathogen adaptation, while metagenomics work on lichens explores symbiotic complexity. Teaching responsibilities include courses on plant biology and research internships, reflecting his engagement in training the next generation of scientists.

• Molecular Plant Biology
• Phytopathology
• Genome Evolution
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Dr. Sara Cazzaniga is a Researcher in the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich, affiliated with the Professorship for Global Ecosystem Ecology. Her work focuses on soil ecology, microbial interactions in agroecosystems, and the role of cover crops in enhancing soil health and suppressing pests. She investigates how plant-based manipulations influence soil microbiota and nematode communities to promote sustainable agricultural practices. Her research interests include soil microbiology, plant-microbe interactions, and the application of molecular tools like SSU rRNA sequencing to monitor soil communities. She has conducted field experiments across multiple locations to assess cover crop impacts on soil biodiversity and crop growth. Recent studies highlight her exploration of nematode antagonists' steerability via cover crops and the legacy effects of cover crops on microbial communities. While no scientific awards are listed, her contributions to understanding belowground ecosystems are significant. She collaborates within the Global Ecosystem Ecology team at ETH Zurich and has published widely on topics like microbiome steering and sustainable agroecology.

• Soil Ecology
• Agricultural Microbiology
• Agroecology
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Emmanuel Frossard is a Full Professor at the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich, Switzerland. His research focuses on nutrient efficiency in agricultural systems, particularly phosphorus, nitrogen, zinc, and cadmium dynamics across soil-fertiliser-plant interfaces and semi-natural ecosystems. He integrates advanced techniques like isotope tracing (33P, 15N), NMR spectroscopy, ICP-MS, and molecular methods in laboratory, greenhouse, and field experiments. His work emphasizes sustainable nutrient management strategies to enhance food security while preserving soil health. As President of the Swiss National Research Program on soil (NRP 68), he drives national soil research initiatives. The group also explores nutrient cycling in agroecosystems, aquaponics, and climate-impacted environments like subarctic treelines and vineyards. Recent publications highlight his interdisciplinary approach to nutrient modeling, fertilizer efficiency, trace metal dynamics, and climate adaptation in crops like winter wheat and yams. Collaborations extend to Stanford University (2013) and institutions in West Africa, the Amazon, and Europe.

• Soil Science
• Plant Nutrition
• Agronomy
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Dr. Fabio Rezzonico is a researcher at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) , affiliated with the School of Life Sciences and Facility Management and the Institute of Natural Resource Sciences . His work spans plant pathology, bacterial genomics, and environmental microbiology. His research focuses on: Fire blight ( Erwinia amylovora ) epidemiology and control Development of molecular diagnostic tools (qPCR, CRISPR typing) Genomic analysis of plant-associated bacteria Environmental microbiology in aquaponics and wastewater systems Assisted migration in forest ecosystems Notable projects include: Fire Blight App for Central Asia (completed) - a citizen science tool for disease mapping Antibiotic resistances in Enterobacteria (completed) - studying NDM-producing bacteria MinION2FixID (completed) - nanopore sequencing for bacterial ID Evaluation of benefits and risk of assisted migration in Fagus species (completed) He collaborates extensively across disciplines, particularly with Swiss and international microbiology teams. Publications include work in Phytopathology Research , Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease , and Journal of Plant Pathology .

• Plant Pathology
• Microbiology
• Genomics
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Dr. Joël Pothier is a researcher at the Institute of Natural Resource Sciences , part of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences School of Life Sciences and Facility Management . He holds a position as a Researcher and specializes in microbiology, plant pathology, and genomics. His work focuses on understanding plant-microorganism interactions, developing diagnostic tools, and exploring biotechnological applications. Expertise Areas: Microbial genomics Plant disease diagnostics Molecular biology techniques Environmental microbiology Bioinformatics applications Agricultural sustainability Dr. Pothier leads multiple ongoing research projects including: Development of biofungicides using actinobacteria Comparative genomics of plant pathogens MALDI-TOF MS for microorganism identification Chitin soil amendment effects His recent publications demonstrate expertise in: Xanthomonas species genomics Actinobacteria biotechnology Phage characterization Molecular diagnostics development Microbial community analysis Plant pathogen surveillance Dr. Pothier collaborates extensively with institutions across Europe and contributes to global plant health initiatives through his research on pathogen detection and management strategies.

• Microbiology
• Plant Pathology
• Genomics
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Monika Maurhofer Bringolf serves as a Titular Professor and Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zürich, where she leads the research group focused on Biological Control. Her academic career at ETH Zürich spans over 25 years, beginning as an assistant researcher (1996-1999) and progressing to her current position as senior researcher and lecturer since 2000. Her educational background includes a Dipl. sc. nat. from ETH Zürich (1988) and a Dr. sc. nat. from the Institute of Phytopathology/Plant Sciences at ETH Zürich (1993). These qualifications established the foundation for her extensive research in plant-microbe interactions and biological control mechanisms. Professor Maurhofer Bringolf's research centers on the ecological properties of biocontrol pseudomonads and the complex interactions between crop plants and microorganisms inhabiting the rhizosphere. Her work spans microbial ecology, plant pathology, and biological pest control, with particular emphasis on how plant-beneficial bacteria can improve soil health and plant resistance against pathogens and pests. She investigates the mechanisms governing interactions among biocontrol bacteria, phytopathogens, pest insects, plants, and non-target microbiota. Her research employs approaches ranging from field studies to comparative genomics and transcriptomics to understand how biocontrol bacteria can switch between different ecological niches. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on entomopathogenic bacteria, microbial consortia for pest control, and the suppressive properties of composts against soilborne pathogens. The research shows an increasing trend toward understanding microbial communities and their collective effects on plant health and pest management, with particular attention to how different biocontrol organisms can work synergistically. Winner of the 'golden owl' teaching award from ETH Zurich students in 2014 Winner of the 'golden owl' teaching award from ETH Zurich students in 2017 She actively contributes to scientific policy as a member of the Swiss Expert Committee for Biosafety (SECB) and the Swiss Society for Phytiatry. Her research has been supported by grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation, including projects on microbial consortia for pest control and molecular determinants of insect-plant associated lifestyles of beneficial pseudomonads. Professor Maurhofer Bringolf teaches Plant Pathology I and Plant Pathology III courses at ETH Zürich, maintaining her commitment to educating future plant pathologists and environmental scientists while continuing her active research program.

• Plant Pathology
• Biocontrol
• Microbial Ecology
• +7 more

Dr. Giovanni Broggini is a Lecturer in the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zurich, specializing in plant genetics and breeding. His research focuses on advancing apple breeding through genomic selection, cisgenic modifications, and phenotyping technologies. He leads initiatives leveraging genomic data and environmental variables to enhance crop resilience against diseases like fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) and apple scab (Venturia inaequalis). His work integrates molecular biology techniques, including CRISPR/Cas9 and LiDAR-based phenotyping, to develop disease-resistant cultivars while ensuring biosafety through omics analysis. Broggini collaborates with Swiss breeding programs to utilize core genetic resources, such as the Swiss Apple Core Collection, for sustainable cultivar development. Key projects include cisgenic apple line C44.4.146 demonstrating resistance to fire blight without unintended effects, and the FruitPhenoBox device for rapid fruit quality assessment. His teaching includes the course 'Applied Laboratory Techniques in Agricultural Sciences' (Autumn 2025). Publications highlight innovations in genomic prediction, non-destructive phenotyping, and transgene stability assessment, contributing to both fundamental and applied plant science.

• Genomics
• Plant Breeding
• Agricultural Biotechnology
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Dr. Martin Fischer is a Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, Switzerland. He holds a PhD from the University of Bern and has extensive postdoctoral experience at ETH Zurich. His primary affiliation is with the Institute of Integrative Biology, focusing on evolutionary genetics and conservation biology. Education: PhD in Computational and Molecular Population Genetics (2010), University of Bern MSc in Biology (2003), University of Bern BSc in Biology (2001), University of Bern Research Interests: Dr. Fischer’s work bridges empirical, experimental, and computational approaches to study genetic diversity dynamics. Key areas include: Monitoring genetic diversity in Swiss ecosystems (GenDiv project) Evolutionary genomics of Silene acaulis and Brassicaceae species Adaptation to climate change and anthropogenic impacts Development of non-destructive DNA extraction methods for historical specimens Policy integration of genetic diversity indicators (EU Nature Restoration Law) Publications Overview: Recent work emphasizes genomic approaches to conservation, including climate-driven adaptation mechanisms and policy applications of genetic monitoring. Awards & Grants: No awards explicitly listed, but active in securing research funding for genetic monitoring initiatives. Advising & Teams: Leads the GenDiv project and collaborates with international teams on biodiversity policy and genomic tools. Organizes the Bioinformatics for Adaptation Genomics (B@G) Winter School. Labs/Teams: Associated with the Plant Ecological Genetics Lab at ETH Zurich, focusing on evolutionary and conservation genomics.

• Genetic Diversity Monitoring
• Evolutionary Genomics
• Conservation Genetics
• +4 more