معرفی
Reto Nyffeler, PD Dr., has been Lecturer and Curator of Phanerogams at the University of Zurich since 2002. He leads the Institute of Systematic Botany’s herbarium activities and heads the Nyffeler research group, collaborating closely with the Sukkulenten-Sammlung Zürich.
Education & Career
- Diploma in Systematic Botany, University of Zurich (1988-1991)
- Ph.D., Institute of Systematic Botany, University of Zurich (1994-1997)
- Post-doctoral researcher & Mercer Fellow, Arnold Arboretum, Harvard University (1997-2000)
- Post-doctoral researcher, Stanford University (2000-2001)
- Lecturer and Herbarium Curator, University of Zurich (2002-present)
Research Focus
Nyffeler’s work integrates plant systematics, biogeography, and phylogenetic methodology. Empirically, he concentrates on the diversification of succulent plants—especially Cactaceae—using molecular phylogenetics to untangle taxonomy, growth-form evolution, and biogeographic history. Parallel interests include the floristics of alpine regions and the systematics of Campanulaceae, Asteraceae, and Ranunculaceae.
Across dozens of peer-reviewed papers (2010-2025) he has advanced family-wide phylogenies for Cactaceae and Caryophyllales, documented repeated succulent radiations, and created online taxonomic backbones such as Caryophyllales.org. His current projects combine next-generation sequencing with classical morphology to revise genera like Parodia and to understand adaptation in high-altitude Callianthemum.
Students & Mentoring
- PhD advisee: Anita Lendel (systematics of Trichocereeae)
- Master advisees: 16 students (2006-2018) working on alpine ecology, cactus morphology, and floristic change
Research Group & Collaborations
The Nyffeler group comprises a scientific assistant (Dr. Heike Hofmann), technical and IT staff, and rotating Master students. The team maintains close collaborations with the Sukkulenten-Sammlung Zürich, Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum (Mercer Fellowship network), and multiple international cactus specialists.
