Multitrophic interactions Professors and Supervisors in Switzerland

Günter Hochمشاهده پروفایل

مدرس ارشد

University of BaselSwitzerland

PD Dr. Günter Hoch is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Environmental Sciences – Botany at the University of Basel , Switzerland. His research centers on the ecophysiology of trees , with a particular emphasis on carbon storage dynamics , drought stress responses , and the resilience of forest ecosystems to climate change. Research Focus: Carbon allocation and storage in trees under carbon limitation Physiological controls of non-structural carbohydrate reserves (e.g., starch, lipids) Drought-induced tree mortality and recovery mechanisms Whole-tree carbon balance and growth under environmental stress Scaling from individual tree responses to ecosystem-level processes Approach: His team integrates field observations , experimental manipulations , and biophysical modeling to understand how trees regulate carbon reserves and water relations under stress. A key goal is to identify biomarkers (e.g., starch concentrations in sapwood) that reflect the carbon status and health of trees. Recent Work: His publications span high-impact journals like Nature Reviews Earth & Environment , New Phytologist , and Global Change Biology , addressing topics such as hydraulic failure, carbon starvation, and the impacts of extreme droughts (e.g., 2018 Central European drought) on forest ecosystems. Collaborations: He contributes to large-scale networks like TreeNet , a Swiss initiative monitoring drought and growth indicators in forests, and collaborates internationally on projects linking plant ecophysiology to biogeochemical cycles. Contact: guenter.hoch@unibas.ch | Tel: +41 (0)61 207 35 14

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Monika Maurhofer Bringolfمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

University of BaselSwitzerland

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.

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Malte Jochumمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

University of BernSwitzerland

Malte Jochum is a Professor of Above-belowground Interaction Ecology at the University of Würzburg. His research focuses on global change impacts on multitrophic communities and ecosystem functioning, with a particular emphasis on energy flux dynamics and anthropogenic drivers like climate change and land-use transformation. He holds a PhD from Georg-August-Universität Göttingen (2016) and a diploma in Biology from TU Darmstadt (2012). His academic career includes postdoctoral positions at iDiv, Leipzig University, and the University of Bern. Current Role: Junior Professor, Department of Ecology (University of Würzburg) Key Research Themes: Biodiversity-ecosystem functioning, food web theory, invasive species impacts Research Interests: Jochum investigates how global change factors—such as warming, land-use intensification, and invasive earthworms—alter community structures and ecosystem services. His work bridges theory (e.g., metabolic theory, stoichiometry) with empirical studies spanning terrestrial, marine, and freshwater systems. Recent projects include the Global Change Experimental Facility and EcoStressWeb experiments. Publications Highlight: Over 45 peer-reviewed articles, including influential studies on earthworm invasion effects, energy flux quantification, and biodiversity experiment validity. Notable recent works include the StoichLife global dataset (2025) and analyses of sustainable land-use impacts (2024). Awards: Recipient of the Werner und Inge Grüter-Preis (2025) and Transfer Preis (2024) for science communication and research impact. Recognized for early-career contributions, including a GfÖ award (2016). Advising & Grants: Supervised over 20 theses (PhD, MSc, BSc) and contributed to major projects like the Bug-Network and MultiCrossBEF . Active in grant initiatives linking experimental and observational ecology. Labs/Teams: Leads the Würzburg-based Above-belowground Interaction Ecology group and collaborates with iDiv, UFZ, and international networks.

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Markus Fischerمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

University of BernSwitzerland

Prof. Markus Fischer is a leading ecologist at the University of Bern's Institute of Plant Sciences, heading the Plant Ecology section. His research focuses on global change impacts, biodiversity dynamics, and ecosystem functions. He integrates evolutionary, ecological, and social-ecological sciences to address conservation and sustainable development challenges. Key research areas include plant population biology, biodiversity assessment, ecological synthesis, and policy-relevant conservation strategies. His work spans global scales, examining drivers of biodiversity loss, ecosystem services, and climate change effects. Publications emphasize translocation of rare plants, forest biodiversity-carbon trade-offs, drought impacts on grasslands, and multifunctional landscapes. He collaborates on initiatives like the IPBES and Jena Experiment, advocating for science-policy interfaces to enhance biodiversity awareness and governance. Notable contributions include the 'ReSurveyEurope' database and assessments of mountain biodiversity. His lab promotes integrative approaches to balance ecological, social, and economic needs in land management.

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Eric Allanمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

University of BernSwitzerland

Prof. Eric Allan is a Professor and Head of the Community Ecology section at the University of Bern’s Institute of Plant Sciences. His research focuses on biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships, plant community dynamics, and the impacts of land use and climate change. He leads studies on grassland ecology, nitrogen cycling, and invasive species effects, with a particular emphasis on functional traits and ecosystem resilience. Education details are not explicitly listed, but his academic career is centered at the University of Bern. Research interests include exploring how biodiversity influences ecosystem services, particularly under anthropogenic pressures like land use intensification and climate extremes. His work integrates plant-soil interactions, herbivore impacts, and invasive species dynamics across multiple spatial and organizational scales. Recent publications highlight his contributions to understanding thresholds of functional diversity, plant disease severity under climate change, and the ecological consequences of nitrogen enrichment. Articles consistently emphasize multifunctionality in ecosystems, invasive species management, and the role of dominant species in community recovery under stress. No awards or grants are explicitly mentioned in the provided text. His lab focuses on experimental and observational studies in grasslands and forests, with collaborative projects on biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management.

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Jake Alexanderمشاهده پروفایل

مدرس

ETH ZurichSwitzerland

Jake Alexander is a Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, affiliated with the Institute of Integrative Biology. His research sits at the intersection of ecology and evolution, focusing on plant species distribution dynamics, invasive species control, and climate change responses in alpine ecosystems. Institution: ETH Zürich Academic Rank: Lecturer Research Focus: Plant community assembly, species interactions, and climate change adaptation His work examines how species interactions (e.g., competition, facilitation) and environmental gradients influence plant diversity in mountain systems. Key projects include MIREN (Mountain Invasion Research Network) and experimental climate warming studies on the Calanda mountain in Switzerland. He integrates field experiments, mathematical models, and trait-based analyses to address ecological challenges. Recent publications highlight his expertise in invasive plant spread in mountain regions, novel species interactions under climate change, and functional trait dynamics in community assembly. Specific topics include elevation-dependent phenology, arbuscular mycorrhizal associations, and genetic adaptation in non-native species. Current lab members include doctoral students and postdocs working on projects like Arctic greening and adaptive responses to warming . His teaching emphasizes applying ecological theory to conservation and management, particularly in alpine environments.

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Christelle A. M. Robertمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

University of BernSwitzerland

Prof. Christelle A. M. Robert is a Professor and Head of the Chemical Ecology Group at the University of Bern's Institute of Plant Sciences. Her work focuses on plant defense mechanisms against herbivores, particularly the chemical and ecological interactions between plants, insects, and microbes. She leads research on how plants produce and utilize secondary metabolites like glucosinolates and benzoxazinoids to resist herbivory and pathogen attack. Her studies also explore how root herbivores exploit plant defenses or induce volatile signals that attract natural enemies. Prof. Robert collaborates extensively with international teams and publishes in top journals such as Science and PNAS . Her research spans plant-insect interactions, entomopathogenic nematodes, and the role of environmental factors like light and drought on plant defense strategies. Notable contributions include uncovering how insect herbivores sequester plant toxins for self-defense and how plant volatiles mediate communication between organisms in ecological communities. Prof. Robert's recent work emphasizes root exudation dynamics, microbial interactions in soil, and the application of chemical ecology to sustainable agriculture. Her lab integrates field experiments, biochemical analysis, and genomic approaches to understand multitrophic interactions in natural and managed ecosystems.

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Mark Mescherمشاهده پروفایل

مدرس

ETH ZurichSwitzerland

Prof. Dr. Mark Mescher is a Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Systems Science at ETH Zürich, Switzerland. His research focuses on ecological interactions between plants and insects, particularly exploring plant defense mechanisms, chemical ecology, and the impacts of environmental changes on biodiversity. He investigates how plants respond to herbivory, pathogen infection, and symbiotic relationships, with a strong emphasis on natural and agricultural ecosystems. Key research interests include the role of plant volatiles in defense priming, insect behavior modification by pathogens, and the ecological consequences of invasive species. His work integrates field studies with controlled experiments to understand multitrophic interactions and their implications for pest management, conservation, and sustainable agriculture. Recent studies highlight his contributions to understanding how plant-microbe interactions influence herbivore populations, the effects of climate change on pollinator behavior, and the application of ecological principles to mitigate agricultural pests. Mescher’s research also explores the broader implications of biodiversity loss and habitat management strategies in restoring ecosystem functions.

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Hannier Pulido Barriosمشاهده پروفایل

پژوهشگر

ETH ZurichSwitzerland

Dr. Hannier Pulido Barrios is a Researcher affiliated with the Professorship for Biocommunication and Ecology at ETH Zurich's Department of Environmental Systems Science (D-USYS). His primary role involves advanced ecological and biochemical research, focusing on plant-microbe interactions and their broader ecological implications. Research Interests: Chemical ecology and multitrophic interactions Beneficial effects of rhizobacteria on plant-insect dynamics Plant defense mechanisms Metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis Dr. Pulido Barrios employs high-throughput data mining techniques to analyze complex biological datasets, including GC-MS data in malaria biomarker research. His work bridges experimental ecology with computational methods to uncover patterns in species communication networks. No specific scientific awards or articles are listed in the provided text, but his contributions to transdisciplinary research methodologies are implied through collaborative projects. Contact details include phone numbers and an institutional email address.

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Rudolf Philippe Rohrمشاهده پروفایل

مدرس

University of FribourgSwitzerland

Rudolf Philippe Rohr is a Senior Researcher and Lecturer at the University of Fribourg , where he leads the Theoretical Ecology and Evolution group within the Department of Biology under the Faculty of Science and Medicine . His research spans coexistence theory, eco-evolutionary dynamics, and ecological network analysis. Education: PhD in Interdisciplinary Science (Mathematics-Physics), University of Geneva (2008) M.Sc. in Physics, University of Geneva (2003) Diploma of ETS Engineer in Electricity (Applied Physics), Geneva (1998) Research Focus includes understanding how coevolutionary trajectories shape communities and ecosystems through a multidimensional structural approach to coexistence theory. He combines field data, theoretical models, and numerical simulations to study biodiversity-functioning relationships, ecological network architecture, and the impacts of environmental change. Selected Publications (2019-2025) cover topics like biodiversity-stability relationships, eco-evolutionary feedback loops, species interaction networks, and microbial community dynamics. Recent work explores temperature impacts on ecosystem functioning and the viability of complex ecological networks. Collaborations include partnerships with Prof. Louis-Félix Bersier (Fribourg), Prof. Serguei Saavedra (MIT), and researchers from Sorbonne University, Eawag, and Swiss research institutions. Contact: rudolf.rohr@unifr.ch | ORCID

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