I am broadly interested on the belowground chemical ecologyandmutli-trophic mechanismsgoverning interactions within the soil communities. Up to this point, I have specialized in interactions between plants, insects, and micro-organisms mediated by root exudates and plant chemicals. Using this fundamental knowledge, I developed innovative crop protection strategies exploiting subterranean chemical signals. I have spent the last eight years developing as a soil biologist and a chemical ecologist. With my in-depth expertise, I am well prepared to lead my own group and research as well as collaborative projects aiming at describing mutli-trophic soil ecological interactions while developing sustainable management strategies based on natural signaling molecules and protecting soils as a pivotal resource. My unique background has prepared me for the specific requirements for lab leader positions such as pursuing new research avenues, building bridges between fundamental and applied science, teaching, and advisory under- and graduate students.

Showing leadership and good communication skills, I have been awarded a grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation (US$120,000) to work as a Senior Research Specialist in the laboratory of Prof. Bruce E. Hibbard (USDA-ARS and University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA). Thanks to this grant, I am currently leading my own research, working toward the development of sustainable agricultural practices to manage belowground invertebrate pests. I also successfully co-applied for two other grants bringing more than US$700,000 of extramural funding to my former lab in Switzerland, with whom I am still collaborating. I recently submitted a grant to conduct research on the impact of Global Change on communities in the rhizosphere.

My interest in plant protection stems from an aspiration to develop sustainable approaches to optimize stable development of our societies. Having worked with entomopathogenic nematodes both in the laboratory and in the field, I have extensive expertise in nematology in the context of plant protection and biological control of herbivorous insects. I participated in the isolation and identification of chemically mediated interactions in soil and I have transferred this fundamental knowledge to highly effective methods in controlling a belowground pest. 

My work has contributed to the scientific community through publication in several well-respected peer-reviewed journals such as Nature, PNAS, The Plant Cell, J. of Chem. Ecol., J. of Exp. Biol. or Plant and Soil. I have also had the opportunity to write and edit comprehensive book, book chapters, and reviews. I have presented my research at numerous international venues, being invited to give seminars and keynote presentations for several congresses, workshops and meetings worldwide.

Besides undergraduate teaching at the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, I developed an online course on belowground chemical ecology for the Swiss Plant Science Web. I also had the chance to supervise two M.S. students at the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland and I now member of two Ph.D. committees. I also supervised a visiting post-doc from Switzerland during his stay in Missouri this summer. Training and mentoring have consistently been an important component of my professional interests.

Sincerely yours,

Ivan Hiltpold