Prof. Dr. Monika Maurhofer Bringolf

Education

1988: Dipl. sc. nat. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich)

1993: Dr. sc. nat. Institute of Phytopathology/Plant Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zürich)

Professional Experience

1996 - 1999: Assistant researcher at the Institute of Plant Sciences/ Phytopathology (ETH Zürich)

Since 2000: Senior researcher and lecturer at the Institute of Integrative Biology/Plant Pathology (ETH Zürich)

Research Interests

Our research focus is on the ecological properties of biocontrol pseudomonads as well as the mechanisms that govern interactions among biocontrol bacteria, phytopathogens, pest insects, the plant and the non-target microbiota. Our aim is to understand the complex interactions between crop plants and the harmful and beneficial microorganisms inhabiting the rhizosphere and to develop methods to improve plant health either by applying biocontrol bacteria or by promoting their natural abundance and activity in agricultural environments.

We are working on the following topics:

• Sustaining and improving soil health with plant-beneficial bacteria
• Exploration and exploitation of insecticidal activity of pseudomonads as a new biocontrol trait
• Comparative genomics and transcriptomics to understand the skills of biocontrol pseudomonads and their ability to switch between different ecological niches
• Combining different biocontrol organisms for pest control
• Diversity of plant- and insect-associated bacteria
• Risk assessment of biocontrol agents

Research Projects

Find more details here (research group).

Professional Associations

Member of the Swiss Expert Committee for Biosafety (SECB); Swiss Society for Phytiatry.

Awards

Winner of the “golden owl” 2014, a prize awarded to faculty members of ETH Zurich by the students for best teaching

Winner of the “golden owl” 2017, a prize awarded to faculty members of ETH Zurich by the students for best teaching