PhD Program in Ecology

Completing a PhD research project in the joint University of Zurich (UZH) and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, PhD Program in Ecology, in one of the internationally acclaimed research groups, enhances a student’s PhD experience. Students of this program are enrolled at either the UZH or the ETH. The program offers research training in the interdisciplinary field of ecology, general skills training for academic and non-academic excellence, and opportunities to interact with other doctoral students. The program includes a curriculum of at least 12 ECTS credits, teaching experience, and is usually completed within three to four years (full-time). It offers yearly graduate schools, courses on subject specific matters and on methods that are of direct use to the work of doctoral students. Additional courses on transferable skills prepare students for professional life, whether this is in an academic institution or not. Research seminars foster international collaborations and the exchange of experiences among doctoral students and experts from different fields of ecology.

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Field-based environmental DNA analysis protocols with CRISPR-Dx enable to rapidly detect elusive species
Flurin Leugger

Environmental DNA workflow: taking water samples in the Conkouati-Douli National Park (Republic of the Congo; top left; © Nina Giotto), extracting the DNA at the camp in the national park (middle left; © Flurin Leugger) and analysing the samples using CRISPR-Dx assays with lateral flow strips (bottom left; © Michel Schmidlin). We successfully detected African manatee DNA with the field-based method, though the lab-based method were more sensitive, resulting in additional detections.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) has emerged as a promising method for biodiversity assessment, but current protocols are often slow and reliant on advanced laboratory infrastructure. The application of eDNA is currently mainly limited to well-developed countries and, for example, rarely applied in tropical regions. Therefore, we have developed a field-deployable eDNA protocol using CRISPR-based diagnostics and lateral flow tests, enabling rapid, on-site detection of species. To demonstrate its application, we created a CRISPR-Dx assay targeting the African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis), arguably one of Africa’s least studied mammals. We successfully detected its DNA in water samples from a national park in the Republic of Congo analyzing the samples in a hut in the national park. These field-based detections were later validated in the lab using a lab-based CRISPR-Dx protocol and quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay. While less sensitive than lab-based methods, the field protocol offers significant advantages in speed, cost, and accessibility. This field-based eDNA analysis protocol with CRISPR-Dx and lateral flow tests as read out has the potential to expand the reach of eDNA monitoring and support conservation efforts for elusive and threatened species.

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Photography for Scientists
Science and science communication rely heavily and extensively on photography. In this course organised by the PhD Program in Ecology, student scientists were taught how to be more "visually literate", empowering them to more effectively communicate their science.

Filmmaking for Scientists
In this course organised by the PhD Program in Ecology, students learnt how to prepare their own documentary films, including how to deal with camera and lighting, screenwriting/storyboard and film editing. At the end of the workshop, the PhD students prepared a short documentary film.