Pilar Junier

Pilar Junier is a Full Professor at the Microbiology Laboratory, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland. She holds a Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Chile (2004) and a Master’s-equivalent degree in Genetics from the National University of Colombia (2000). Currently, she is pursuing a MAS in Translational Medicine at the University of Bern.

• Education
  • Ph.D. in Ecology, University of Chile (2004)
  • Biologist (Master’s-equivalent) in Genetics, National University of Colombia (2000)
  • MAS in Translational Medicine, University of Bern (ongoing, started 2022)

Junier’s research focuses on microbial ecology, particularly bacterial-fungal interactions in soil ecosystems, geomicrobiology, and applied microbiology for environmental and industrial applications. Her work addresses topics such as geothermal fluid properties, critical metals recovery from ores and industrial waters, and combating fungal pathogens using ecological theory. She has secured grants from prestigious institutions like the Swiss National Science Foundation, Horizon Europe, and US Department of Energy.

She teaches courses including Diversity of Life, General Bacteriology, and advanced topics like Geomicrobiology and Microbial Ecology at both Bachelor’s and Master’s levels.

Contact: pilar.junier@unine.ch | Tel. +41 32 718 22 44

Her projects include:

• Bacterial:Fungal Interactions in Soil Functioning (US DoE, Co-PI)
• Geothermal Fluid Properties Optimization (Horizon2020, Horizon Europe, Co-PI)
• Eco-friendly Metal Recovery Systems (Innosuisse, Collaborator)
• Light-Based Toxic Cyanobacteria Monitoring (Velux Foundation)
• Lung Fungal Pathogen Research (Swiss National Science Foundation, PI)