Prof. Willy Tinner is a leading academic at the University of Bern, serving as Head of the Paleoecology section and Vice Executive Director within the Institute of Plant Sciences. His research focuses on reconstructing past environmental changes through pollen analysis, vegetation dynamics, and human-ecosystem interactions. Tinner's work integrates paleoecological data with climatology, archaeology, and conservation biology to understand long-term ecological processes. His expertise spans Holocene climate impacts, Neolithic land use patterns, and biodiversity conservation challenges in alpine and Mediterranean ecosystems. Notable research includes studies on Fagus-Quercus forest coexistence in Italy, Abies alba climatic adaptations, and human-driven vegetation changes across Europe. Tinner collaborates internationally, contributing to projects in Greece, Ukraine, and the Balkans. He has published extensively on topics such as fire regimes, lake sediment archives, and the ecological consequences of ancient agricultural practices. His leadership positions reflect his role in shaping Switzerland's ecological research priorities through institutions like WSL Cadenazzo.
Simone Fior is a Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Systems Science , ETH Zürich , focusing on ecological genetics and plant adaptation. Their research integrates genomic, quantitative genetics, and ecological field experiments, particularly on Dianthus (Caryophyllaceae) along altitudinal and climatic gradients. Recent work explores climate-induced range shifts, local adaptation, and genomic responses to environmental changes. Professional experience includes roles at ETH Zürich since 2013 (Senior Assistant, Postdoc) and prior positions at the Edmund Mach Foundation (2009-2012) and University of Insubria (2007-2008). Education spans a PhD in Plant Biology (University of Milan, 2007) and an MSc in Natural Sciences (University of Milan, 2003). Simone co-organizes the Bioinformatics for Adaptation Genomics Winter School . Key research areas include adaptive divergence , polygenic adaptation , climate change biology , and phylogenomics . Articles emphasize genomic selection signatures, functional-structural modeling, and ecological-genetic interactions. Notable collaborations involve Jake Alexander, Alex Widmer, and interdisciplinary teams at ETH Zurich.
Prof. Dr. Sabine Rumpf is a faculty member in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Basel . Her research focuses on environmental influences on biotic systems, particularly in alpine and arctic ecosystems, with expertise in paleoecology, climate-driven range dynamics, and ecological modeling. Key research areas: Alpine ecology, biogeography, climate change impacts, environmental reconstruction Current projects: Ultra-high-resolution climate change assessments in Swiss mountain lakes, ecosystem development studies, spring ecology monitoring She serves as an associate editor for Diversity and Distributions and guest editor for Journal of Vegetation Science . Active in interdisciplinary collaborations through the Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center and Swiss Commission for Polar Research. 2020: Doc.Award (City of Vienna/University of Vienna) 2019: PhD Award (Ecological Society of DACH region) 2018: Austrian State Prize for Dissertations
Prof. Flavio Anselmetti is a Full Professor of Quaternary Geology and Paleoclimatology at the University of Bern , where he has been employed since 2012. He also serves as the Managing Director of the Institute of Geological Sciences . Prior to this, he held significant roles at ETH Zurich, including SNSF Assistant Professor, and at EAWAG Dübendorf as Head of the Sedimentology Group, while remaining a Titular Professor at ETH Zurich until 2012. His academic training includes a Diploma in Geology (1990) from the University of Basel , followed by a PhD (1994) from ETH Zurich and University of Miami (USA) . He spent three years as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Associate at the University of Miami between 1994 and 1997. Paleoseismology : Using lacustrine and marine sediments to reconstruct earthquake and tsunami records Climate Change Studies : Investigating Holocene and Pleistocene climate shifts through sediment cores Sediment Dynamics : Analyzing source-to-sink systems and glacial sediment properties His recent publications focus on sedimentary archives in Science Advances , Quaternary Research , and Environmental Modelling and Software , with an emphasis on deep learning applications in sediment analysis , multi-proxy paleoenvironmental reconstructions , and human impact assessments over millennia. He has contributed to major projects in the Alpine foreland and Caribbean regions . Prof. Anselmetti leads the Quaternary Geology and Paleoclimatology Research Group and collaborates with international teams on ICDP-DOVE drilling campaigns and multibeam bathymetry mapping in Swiss lakes. His work extends to geohazard assessment , carbonate-siliciclastic shelf dynamics , and subaqueous fault analysis in active tectonic zones.
Jaboury Ghazoul serves as Full Professor of Ecosystem Management at ETH Zurich's Department of Environmental Systems Science since October 2005, holding a concurrent Prince Bernhard Chair of International Nature Conservation at Utrecht University since 2015. His academic journey spans from PhD studies at University of St Andrews to faculty positions at Imperial College London (1998-2005), with extensive fieldwork across tropical regions including Vietnam and Thailand. His educational background includes a 1993 PhD in evolutionary ecology of wasps from University of St Andrews under Prof. Pat Willmer, preceded by biodiversity survey work with Vietnam's Ministry of Forestry (1993-1994) and postdoctoral research at London's Natural History Museum (1995-1998). Ghazoul's research centers on plant reproductive processes in natural and human-altered environments, with three interconnected pillars: Pollination ecology - examining bee behavior and coffee fruit set dynamics in tropical agroforestry systems Forest conservation - investigating landscape fragmentation impacts on tree reproduction and genetic diversity Ecosystem services - quantifying climate and pest-driven shifts in agricultural systems while assessing carbon storage implications His work uniquely bridges molecular genetics, landscape ecology, and human livelihoods in tropical settings. Publications reveal a consistent focus on tropical ecosystems (70%), pollination networks (60%), and human-environment interactions (50%), with growing emphasis on climate change impacts since 2012. Key methodological approaches include field experiments across landscape mosaics, genetic analysis of fragmented populations, and interdisciplinary assessment of ecosystem services. Major recognitions include: ETH Zurich Golden Owl Teaching Award (2011) ATBC Award for Excellent Service (2013) President of Association of Tropical Biology and Conservation (2015) Prince Bernhard Chair appointment (2015) UK Forest Commission Expert Committee membership (2014) Ghazoul has supervised numerous doctoral students through ETH Zurich's environmental programs and secured significant research funding from CIFOR, WWF Netherlands (supporting his Utrecht chair), and Swiss National Science Foundation. His editorial leadership as Biotropica Editor-in-Chief (2006-2013) shaped tropical ecology discourse globally. Current projects integrate coffee agroforestry systems with forest conservation in Southeast Asia, supported by interdisciplinary grants examining climate-resilient agricultural landscapes. He maintains active field research in the Seychelles (evidenced by 'Working hard in the Seychelles' reference) and collaborates with institutions including CIFOR, UK Forest Commission, and Utrecht University's conservation programs. His lab focuses on tropical tree reproductive ecology using molecular tools combined with landscape-scale field studies.
Dr. Erika Gobet is a Lecturer in Paleoecology at the University of Bern's Institute of Plant Sciences. Her work focuses on reconstructing long-term environmental changes through multi-proxy analyses of lake sediments, ice cores, and macrofossil records. She specializes in understanding interactions between climate, vegetation dynamics, and human activities, particularly during the Holocene and Late Glacial periods. Her research spans multiple regions including Switzerland, Greece, Ukraine, the Mediterranean, and Central Asia. Key themes include the impact of Neolithic land use on ecosystems, climate-driven vegetation shifts, and teleconnections between distant ecosystems via monsoon patterns. She employs cutting-edge methods like high-resolution chronologies, machine learning for pollen sequence analysis, and genetic studies of plant species adaptation. Dr. Gobet collaborates across disciplines, integrating archaeology, climatology, and ecology to address questions about human-environmental interactions. Her work highlights biodiversity conservation challenges posed by historical and modern environmental changes, especially in mountainous and mediterranean ecosystems. Recent studies emphasize methodological advancements in paleoenvironmental reconstruction (e.g., ice-core microfossil extraction) and interdisciplinary projects like Burgäschisee archaeological excavations. Though no awards are explicitly mentioned, her prolific publication record and methodological innovations indicate significant contributions to the field.
Edward Mitchell is a Full Professor at the University of Neuchâtel , affiliated with the Faculty of Sciences and the Institute of Biology . His research focuses on soil biodiversity, protist taxonomy, and paleoecology, with particular emphasis on testate amoebae and forensic ecology. Education: MSc in Biology (1995) and PhD in Sciences (2001) from University of Neuchâtel His ongoing projects include AI-assisted soil fauna analysis and peatland regeneration studies funded by Swiss federal agencies. Recent research explores biodiversity monitoring via metabarcoding and ecological impacts of cadaver decomposition. Scientific awards include multiple Swiss National Science Foundation grants and federal environmental/metrology projects: SNSF 31003A_182531: Soil protist biodiversity in islands FOEN SoilFaunAI: AI analysis of soil fauna METAS peat detection method: CHF 174,116.50
Dr. Lieveke van Vugt is a Postdoc researcher at the University of Bern's Institute of Plant Sciences, specializing in Paleogenomics & Vegetation Modelling. Her work focuses on reconstructing Holocene environmental changes, particularly the interplay between climate, vegetation, and human land use in Mediterranean and alpine regions. She employs multidisciplinary methods including pollen analysis, sediment DNA, and archaeological data to trace ecological transitions linked to prehistoric agricultural expansion and societal impacts. Key research interests include the coexistence of Fagus and Quercus forests under climatic extremes, the role of wild/domesticated animals in shaping alpine biodiversity, and the drivers of synchronous forest declines in northern Greece during the Early Holocene. Her studies often bridge paleoecology with archaeological inquiries, emphasizing long-term human-environment feedback mechanisms. Her recent work highlights the climatic drivers behind vegetation shifts at the onset of European farming and reveals comparable land-use patterns across southern and central Europe during the Neolithic. Methodologically, she advances high-resolution palaeoecological records from lacustrine sediments, integrating genetic and macrofossil evidence for comprehensive ecological reconstructions.
Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW)Switzerland
Prof. Dr. Rolf Krebs serves as Head of the Institute of Natural Resource Sciences at Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) School of Life Sciences and Facility Management. His institutional affiliation includes leadership over soil and water research teams, with a current advisory role at Lucky Shrimp AG (2022-2026). Previously, he directed soil protection for Canton St. Gallen (1998-2002) and led inorganic chemistry in water/soil protection at Canton Bern (2002-2005), establishing his expertise in environmental management across Swiss cantonal and academic sectors. His educational foundation includes a PhD in Environmental Sciences (1992-1996) and Dipl.nat. ETH in Environmental Sciences (1987-1992), both from ETH Zurich. Professional development is evidenced by ZHAW certifications: CAS Management for Leaders (2016) and CAS Leadership advanced (2015), reflecting administrative specialization beyond core environmental science training. Research centers on hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) for sewage sludge valorization, with emphasis on phosphorus recovery , pathogen removal , and energy-efficient waste treatment . Complementary work explores heavy metal behavior in soils, alpine environmental processes , and soil formation dynamics over geological timescales. His HTC innovations bridge waste management with agricultural resource recovery, targeting circular economy solutions. Article trends reveal a strategic pivot toward sustainable sanitation since 2013: 10 of 15 recent publications focus on HTC applications for sewage sludge, waste whey, and fecal treatment. Key journals include Energies and Applied Sciences , highlighting interdisciplinary work combining chemical engineering, soil science, and public health. Earlier studies (2012-2010) established his legacy in heavy metal contamination and alpine soil evolution. No scientific awards, fellowships, or medals are documented in the provided text. As institute head, Krebs leads research teams but no advisees are explicitly named. His project involvement (e.g., hydrothermal carbonization for fecal waste treatment) implies grant management, though specific funding sources aren't cited. The Lucky Shrimp AG advisory role indicates industry collaboration beyond academia. The Institute of Natural Resource Sciences houses laboratories for soil chemistry, water analysis, and waste processing. His hydrothermal carbonization research utilizes industrial-scale test reactors, while historical work involved cantonal environmental monitoring teams in Bern and St. Gallen for soil protection and water quality assessment.
David Alexander Marques is a Lecturer at the University of Basel's Department of Environmental Sciences within the Faculty of Humanities and Natural Sciences. His work intersects with interdisciplinary environmental research, focusing on ecosystem dynamics and biotic systems. Research interests include environmental and climate reconstruction using biotic indicators in lake sediments, paleoecology, and studies on springs as transitional habitats. The department investigates human impacts on ecosystems and employs geochemical analyses of microfossils. Contact: davidalexander.marques@unibas.ch
Emanuel Duarte Ribeiro is a PostDoc researcher at the University of Basel , affiliated with the Faculty of Humanities and Natural Sciences and working within the Department of Environmental Sciences under the FG Salzburger research group. His research focuses on paleoenvironmental reconstruction using biotic indicators in lake sediments, climate change impacts on aquatic ecosystems, and experimental studies in alpine springs. Current projects include KUMiT (Climate, Environment, People in Thurgau), SNSF-funded work on remote mountain lake ecosystems, and laboratory experiments on pesticide effects. His recent publications address diverse topics including Alpine plant diversity dynamics Neolithic land-use impacts Methane cycling in meromictic lakes Tropical paleofire metrics Fish fossil records Multi-proxy climate reconstructions Collaborations span institutions including UNESCO Biosphere Engiadina Val Müstair , Swiss National Park , and multiple international research teams analyzing paleoenvironmental datasets from Europe, Africa, and South America.
Prof. Dr. Torsten Scheyer is an Adjunct Professor of Paleontology at the Palaeontological Institute, University of Zurich, where he serves as Vice-Director. His research focuses on the osteology, histology, and evolutionary morphology of Mesozoic marine reptiles, including turtles, ichthyosaurs, placodonts, and archosauromorphs. He specializes in Triassic-Jurassic transitional ecosystems and the functional anatomy of fossils. Research Themes: Marine reptile evolution, bone histology, cranial development, and paleoecology. Recent Work: Investigates osteoderms, neck elongation, and dental adaptations in Triassic taxa, leveraging advanced imaging techniques like synchrotron microtomography. Scientific Context: Collaborates on global studies of Lagerstätten and contributes to systematic revisions of key clades (e.g., Tanystropheidae, Placodontia).
Dr. Maria Leunda is a Postdoc researcher at the Institute of Plant Sciences (University of Bern), specializing in Paleogenomics & Vegetation Modelling . Her work focuses on reconstructing past environmental and climatic conditions using multi-proxy approaches, including lake sediments, ice cores, and ancient DNA analysis. She investigates long-term vegetation dynamics, human-environment interactions, and the impacts of climate change on mountain ecosystems. Her research spans the Pyrenees, Alps, and Iberian Peninsula, with notable contributions to understanding Holocene vegetation shifts, glacial retreat, and industrial-era environmental pollution. She is part of interdisciplinary projects like the Marboré Symphony , blending science with art to raise awareness about climate change. Dr. Leunda's lab is located at the Birrlihus building (H-203), and she collaborates with institutions like the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology. Key Research Themes : Paleoenvironmental reconstruction via aDNA and sediment records Glacier and ice cave microbiology Human-induced environmental changes in mountain regions Climate-driven vegetation transitions Her recent work highlights alarming ice melt rates in Pyrenean caves and the vulnerability of ancient glaciers to modern warming. She has contributed to global studies on aridity trends and biodiversity loss linked to human activity.
Patrick Eppenberger Patrick Eppenberger is an Associate Professor and co-head of the Evolutionary Pathophysiology and Mummy Studies Group at the University of Zurich's Institute of Evolutionary Medicine. He holds a dual background in industrial design and medicine, with a doctorate in medicine (2012), an Executive MBA (2024), and a Habilitation thesis (2023) focused on medical imaging of ancient human remains. His research integrates evolutionary medicine, paleopathology, and advanced imaging technologies to study human health evolution and ancient diseases. Education & Background: Industrial Design Degree, Zurich University of Art and Design (2002) Medical Doctorate, University of Zurich (2012) Executive MBA, University of Zurich (2024) Habilitation Thesis: 'Adaptation of medical imaging modalities for the diagnostic evaluation of ancient human remains' (2023) Research Focus: Eppenberger’s work spans evolutionary medicine, non-communicable disease epidemiology, and the application of cutting-edge imaging techniques (CT, MRI, Raman spectroscopy) to analyze ancient human remains. Key projects include: SNF Weave/Lead Agency project on the PIEZO1 ion channel’s role in red blood cell physiology Experimental mummification and paleoradiology studies Global demographic and economic trends analysis via geospatial methods Imaging Facilities: He leads the IEM Clinical & Investigational Imaging Lab , equipped with portable and advanced stationary imaging systems for on-site archaeological studies and clinical diagnostics. Grants & Collaborations: Co-Principal Investigator in the PIEZO1 ion channel project International collaborations in Egyptology, Japanese mummy studies, and medieval dental anthropology Labs & Teams: His lab develops interdisciplinary methods for studying ancient populations, including multi-modal imaging and experimental replication of embalming techniques.
Markus Egli is a Professor in Soil Science and Geochronology at the Department of Geography, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Zurich. He has been affiliated with the university since 1998 and heads the geochronology laboratory. He also holds guest and teaching positions at the University of Palermo and the University of Applied Sciences in Wädenswil. His research spans alpine and Mediterranean environments with a focus on landscape dynamics, soil formation, and geochronological methods. Ph.D., University of Zurich (1995) Habilitation (Venia Legendi), University of Zurich (2003) Post-Doc, Research Institute for Soil Study and Conservation, Florence (2000–2002) Research stays at Macaulay Institute (Scotland), University of Michigan (USA), Northern Iowa University (USA), and St. Petersburg State University (Russia) His research interests include landscape dynamics , chemical weathering , soil formation , clay mineralogy , and carbon sequestration in alpine and Mediterranean environments. He employs numerical dating methods (e.g., 10Be, 14C) and fallout radionuclides (e.g., 137Cs, 239+240Pu) to reconstruct long-term erosion rates, soil development, and paleoenvironmental changes. His work integrates field studies with geochemical and mineralogical analyses. The most recent publications highlight trends in soil erosion and redistribution , landscape evolution in mountain regions , clay mineral formation , and paleoenvironmental reconstruction using geochemical tracers . His research spans Europe, South America, and Asia, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches in geomorphology, soil science, and Quaternary geology. Editor, CATENA (since 2014) Editorial Board, Geoderma Editorial Board, BGS-Bulletin Guest Editor, Radiocarbon , Geografiska Annaler , Journal of Soils and Sediments Markus Egli has supervised numerous research projects, including the multidisciplinary GISALP project on high-mountain environments. He has collaborated with researchers across Europe and North America and has contributed to understanding soil-landscape interactions , fire history , and human impact on soil systems . His editorial and collaborative roles underscore his leadership in the soil science and geochronology communities. He leads the geochronology laboratory at the University of Zurich and continues to mentor students and early-career scientists.
