"I am my own research group"

22 scientific articles, 20 publications, 25 lectures and numerous workshops – a glance at Ueli Merz’ website shows that the plant pathologist is one of world's leading experts in the area of powdery scab. He has been conducting research into the fungus-caused disease since he started at ETH. After completing his doctorate, he continued his research as a senior scientist in the plant pathology group at the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, which recently became the Department of Environmental Systems Science.

25 years have passed since then. The 62 year-old remembers the time well: "My dissertation meant a lot of work." The trained agronomist wanted to develop a suitable method for verifying the powdery scab pathogen. Hardly any scientists in Switzerland had researched the matter before him. The consequence was that Merz had to arrange the financing of his position as a doctoral student himself. He also had to develop the methods from scratch, "not an easy task", as he says, particularly as he did not have a mentor. "I was mostly left to my own devices."

Promoting traditional and molecular plant pathology

Little has changed in this area since. Merz is his own research group, as he says himself. But that does not mean that he is alone. The exchange of ideas and experience within the team is lively. Also, colleagues often drop by his office. A frequent reason is that they cannot find a suitable device for their research method. Ueli Merz then often turns out to be their saviour: he usually knows what instrument would be suitable and where to find it.

The reason is that, thanks to his apprenticeship as a radio and TV technician, he was able to help the in-house mechanic during the time he was writing his dissertation. After the mechanic's retirement, he became responsible for assessing new, and maintaining old, devices. That enabled him to become familiar with numerous research methods and today means that he can put himself in the position of the individual researchers. He says: "I have become something of a central organ in the group."

The committed researcher is today one of the most experienced scientists in the plant pathology group. A lot has changed since he started out. Merz is a traditional plant pathologist, who grew up with field tests. In line with this research tradition, the interaction with pathogens is examined in the field on the host plants. Contemporary genetics is increasingly replacing such methods. Today, laboratory-based research focuses on the level of interaction of molecules and genes.

He is observing this development with concern: "Both approaches will continue to be needed: traditional and molecular plant pathology. We will only arrive at new findings if we apply both methods." He is also committed to traditional plant pathology as a lecturer. He teaches students, amongst other things, how to diagnose the key diseases of the individual host groups.

A degree in Agronomics, a doctorate and 25 years in research – the husband and father has spent nearly half his life at ETH. Not without reason, as he says: "My work is the ideal job for me. Not least because I have also had the opportunity that many of my colleagues around the world don't: at ETH, I have been able to conduct in-depth research into my field over many years."