Livio Ruzzante, Ph.D.
Computational & Field Biologist

I am a researcher specializing in epidemiological modeling and sustainable agriculture at Agroscope, Switzerland, where I also began my academic journey. With a deep-rooted passion for biological sciences and nature, my research interests have spanned multiple disciplines, guided by intellectual curiosity and independence.

I obtained my undergraduate degree in Life Sciences Engineering from the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), where I developed a strong interest in physics and served as a student assistant in the subject during my final two years. My undergraduate studies culminated in a research project on locomotion restoration following severe spinal cord injuries, under the supervision of Professor Courtine.

Subsequently, I pursued a Master's degree in Evolution, Sustainable Agriculture, and Conservation Biology, a joint program between the Universities of Bern and Neuchâtel. During this time, I developed an interest in ecological and epidemiological modeling through an internship in Professor Koella’s lab, where I investigated the life history dynamics and energy expenditures of the malaria parasite and its mosquito host. My Master's research also included fieldwork in the Egyptian Red Sea, where I contributed to an observational study on coral reef ecology, and an extended study on arthropod diversity in viticultural landscapes in Switzerland and Argentina, under the guidance of Professors Arlettaz and Praz.

Building expertise in arthropod identification led me to further explore this incredibly diverse taxonomic group. In 2022, I completed my Ph.D. at the University of Lausanne under the supervision of Professor Waterhouse. My doctoral research focused on comparative genomics across hundreds of arthropod genomes, with an emphasis on the evolutionary dynamics of gene families and their functional implications. This large-scale study was supported by the development of specialized bioinformatics workflows. 

Following my Ph.D., I engaged in field research in East Africa as an assistant on a project led by Professor Turlings at the University of Neuchâtel. This research focused on biological control methods to mitigate fall armyworm outbreaks in maize fields as an alternative to synthetic pesticides. Upon returning to Switzerland, I leveraged the computational expertise gained during my doctoral studies to work as a data scientist at the Intensive Care Unit of Inselspital Bern, under the supervision of Professor Dr. Med. Schefold. This role provided valuable experience in handling sensitive clinical data, managing computational infrastructure, and navigating ethical and statistical challenges in medical research. 

Currently, my research at Agroscope is centered on pathosystem modeling and the integration of live data from airborne fungal spore monitoring in agricultural landscapes. My work aims to optimize pesticide applications, enhance biodiversity, and promote soil health within sustainable agricultural systems.