معرفی
Prof. Alex Widmer is a Full Professor of Plant Ecological Genetics at ETH Zurich's Department of Environmental Systems Science. He holds a PhD from ETH Zurich (1996) and has extensive postdoctoral experience at institutions in Switzerland, the USA, and France. His research focuses on evolutionary processes in plants, particularly the genetic basis of adaptation, ecological speciation, and conservation genetics of tropical timber species like Dalbergia. Widmer leads the Institute of Integrative Biology and collaborates on projects combining genomic analyses with field experiments.
Education
- BSc/MSc in Biology, ETH Zurich (1992)
- PhD in Biology, ETH Zurich (1996)
Research Interests
Widmer's work bridges evolutionary genetics and ecology, addressing how plants adapt to environmental gradients. Key themes include:
- Genetic mechanisms of local adaptation
- Ecological speciation in alpine plants
- Conservation of biodiversity through molecular tools
- Impact of climate change on plant-herbivore interactions
Grants & Collaborations
His research involves interdisciplinary projects, such as the Synthesis Center for Biodiversity Conservation, which integrates scientific and practical conservation strategies. He also leads initiatives to monitor genetic diversity in Switzerland and develop non-destructive methods for historical DNA analysis in pinned insect specimens.
Labs & Teams
Widmer directs the Plant Ecological Genetics Lab at ETH Zurich, focusing on evolutionary genomics and conservation applications.
