César Metzger

Assistant and PhD candidate in the group of Prof. Dieter Ebert. Works on host-parasite co-evolution in the Daphnia-Pasteuria model system.

powaqqatsi: (from the Hopi language) sorcerer life, an entity, a way of life that consumes the life forces of other beings in order to further its own life.

Research interests

 Foremost my interests lie in disciplines such as Evolutionary Biology, Infectious Diseases and Parasitology, but also the classical disciplines of Comparative Zoology and Anatomy. More specifically I am fascinated by the effects of parasitism and symbiosis on the evolution of organisms, and in the mechanisms and processes of such phenomena. How do organisms enter in a parasitic relationship? Then how do they evolve in relation to their partner organism(s)? What are the consequences?  Some of the projects I am currently applying myself to include:

• Studying life traits and describing a poorly known microsporidian parasite of Daphnia pulex
• Studying the infection process of the gram-positive bacteria Pasteuria ramosa in its host Daphnia magna
• Studying the genetics of resistance/susceptibility of Daphnia magna to its parasite Pasteuria ramosa and their co-evolutionary consequences

 

Trivial occupations

Within the realm of science, I am a huge fan of anatomy and dissection (I strongly recommend Kšörperwelten!), as well as fieldology and ancient anatomy books. Outside of science I enjoy the sempiternal beauty of the sky, which is why I have always been drawn to flying and have done so a great many times, whether by aircraft or glider. Traveling is also something I really don't mind doing, be it to an urban area or to some remote place in the middle of nowhere. Other interests include industrial design, performing arts, and cinema.

 

Curriculum vitae

 

Born in 1984 in Lausanne, Switzerland
2010-ongoing	PhD thesis in evolutionary zoology at the Zoological Institute, University of Basel
2009-2010	Scientific collaborator at the Section of Conservation Biology, University of Basel
2009	Field research assistant, Laboratory for Conservation Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne and Land and Wildlife Conservation Firm AMAIBACH, Oron-la-ville, Switzerland (“Study of the hybrid zone of Triturus c. cristatus and T. c. carnifex in Switzerland”)
2007-2009	M.Sc. in Behavior, Evolution and Conservation (MSc BEC), supervised by Dr. Philippe Christe PD-MER and in collaboration with Dr. Sylvain Ursenbacher, University of Lausanne
2007-2008	Field research assistant, KARCH, Koordinationsstelle für Amphibien- und Reptilienschutz in der Schweiz (Invasive snake species monitoring)
2007	Undergraduate research assistant to Prof. Claus Wedekind, Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne (“Testing computer-operated game theory experimental setups with humans”)
2003-2007	B.Sc. in Biology, University of Lausanne
2003	Undergraduate lab assistant to Prof. David A. Chiszar, Herpetology Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Colorado (Care-taking of several Crotalus species and to Boiga irregularis and some bibliographical work)
2003	One study-semester in Environmental, Population and Organismic Biology (EBIO), University of Colorado, USA.

Spoken languages: English, French, Swiss-German, German, Finnish (Still a beginner, it's a very long learning process!)

 

Teaching experience

 

2013 Spring	“Zoology Blockkurs”, Zoology practicals, 3rd year B.Sc. in biology students, University of Basel (Locust dissection & development; Teaching Assistant; ~45 students; ~7h)
2012 Spring	“Zoology Blockkurs”, Zoology practicals, 3rd year B.Sc. in biology students, University of Basel (Locust dissection & development; Teaching Assistant; ~40 students; ~7h)
2011 Spring	“Zoology Blockkurs”, Undergraduate research projects, 3rd year B.Sc. in biology students, University of Basel (Undergraduate research project; Supervisor; 2 students: Kristina Anselm & Andrea Kaufmann; ~60h)
2011 Spring	“Zoology Blockkurs”, Zoology practicals, 3rd year B.Sc. in biology students, University of Basel (Locust dissection & development; Teaching Assistant; ~35 students; ~7h)
2010 Fall	Teaching assistant to Dr. Jean-Claude Walser, Evolutionary Bioinformatics Practicals, University of Basel (Practicals in Computer Room; ~6h)
2010 Fall	Introduction into Biology Tutorial Course, University of Basel (Teaching Assistant/Tutor; 10-12 students; 6x 1.5h)
2010 Spring	“Zoology Blockkurs”, Undergraduate research projects, 3rd year B.Sc. in biology students, University of Basel (Undergraduate research project; Co-Supervisor; 2 students: Bianca Bracher & Tobias Schär; ~60h)
2010 Spring	“Zoology Blockkurs”, Zoology practicals, 3rd year B.Sc. in biology students, University of Basel (Locust dissection & development; Teaching Assistant; ~30 students; ~7h)
2008 Spring	Zoology practicals for 1st year B.Sc. in biology students, University of Lausanne (Mainly dissections and some behavioral ecology; Teaching Assistant; ~35 students; ~30h)
2008 Spring	Animal keeping/caretaking: Snakes, 1st year Animal-Keeper trainees, EPSIC and University of Lausanne (Instructor; ~25 students; 2x 45min)
2008 Spring	Swiss amphibian fauna fieldtrips (8x 5h) and lecture (45min) for 1st year B.Sc. in biology students, University of Lausanne (Primary Instructor; ~150 students)
2007 Spring	Swiss amphibian fauna fieldtrips (10x 5h) and lecture (45min) for 1st and 2nd year B.Sc. in biology students, University of Lausanne (Primary Instructor; ~200 students)

 

Memberships & Affiliations

• Swiss Zoological Society (SZS) - Member of the board (2011 - ongoing)
• Swiss Systematics Society (SSS)

 

Publications

Papers

2011

• Metzger C., Christe P., Ursenbacher S. (2011) Diet variability of two convergent natricine colubrids in an invasive-native interaction. Mertensiella. (invited contribution)

• Metzger C., Ferchaud A.-L., Geiser C., Ursenbacher S. (2011) New Polymorphic Microsatellite Markers of the Endangered Meadow Viper (Vipera ursinii) Identified by 454 High-throughput Sequencing: When Innovation meets Conservation. Conservation Genetics Resources. link

2009

• Metzger C., Ursenbacher S., Christe P. (2009) Testing the competitive exclusion principle using various niche parameters in a native (Natrix maura) and an introduced (N. tessellata) colubrid. Amphibia-Reptilia. 30(4): 523-531. pdf link

 

Popular press

2010

• Metzger C. (2010) La Suisse protège ses animaux. 24heures. 228:20. pdf

   

Talks & Posters

Talks

2013

• Metzger C. (2013) Genetics of resistance: simple genetics in a crustacean infectious disease – Research Seminar, Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Switzerland. (research seminar of the institute)
• Metzger C. (2013) Host-range of Gurleya vavrai – Research Seminar, Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Switzerland. (research seminar of the institute)

2012

• Metzger C. (2012) Going for the throat: survival of the stickiest – Interaction Seminar, Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Switzerland. (in-house interaction seminar)

2010

• Metzger C., Luijckx P. (2010) Experimental co-evolution by negative frequency-dependent selection under semi-natural conditions – Interaction Seminar, Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Switzerland. (in-house interaction seminar)

2009

• Metzger C., Ursenbacher S., Christe P. (2009) Comparaison des régimes alimentaires de Natrix maura et N. tessellata en sympatrie sur les bords du Lac Léman (résultats un an après) – Koordinationsstelle der Amphibien- und Reptilienschutz der Schweiz (KARCH) – Annual Herpetological Symposium, Bern, Switzerland. (invited talk)
• Metzger C., Ursenbacher S., Christe P. (2009) Testing the Competitive Exclusion Principle using various niche parameters in a native (Natrix maura) and an introduced (N. tessellata) colubrid – Zoological Institute, University of Basel. (invited talk)

2008

• Metzger C., Ursenbacher S., Christe P. (2008) Comparaison des régimes alimentaires de Natrix maura et N. tessellata en sympatrie sur les bords du Lac Léman – Koordinationsstelle der Amphibien- und Reptilienschutz der Schweiz (KARCH) – Annual Herpetological Symposium, Bern, Switzerland. (invited talk)
• Metzger C., Ursenbacher S., Christe P. (2008) Trophic competition between Natrix maura and N. tessellata. – Natur- Landschaft- und Umweltwisenschaften (NLU) Institut, University of Basel. (invited talk)

 

Posters

2010

• Metzger C., Ursenbacher, S., and Christe, P. (2010) Evaluating the potential for trophic competition between two colubrids, one native (Natrix maura) and one invasive (N. tessellata) – Koordinationsstelle der Amphibien- und Reptilienschutz der Schweiz (KARCH) – Annual Herpetological Symposium, Goldau (Kanton Schwyz), Switzerland. file

2009

• Metzger C., Ursenbacher, S., and Christe, P. (2009) Trophic regime analysis in two congeneric water-snakes, one native and one introduced. – D.Day – University of Lausanne. (Poster – Awarded with the Prize of the Fondation Hainard) file

Other contributions

Reviewing work

Amphibia-Reptilia, Mertensiella.

Scientific activities & services

• Member of the Organizing Comitee - Biology13, Meeting of the Swiss Botanical, Mycological and Zoological Societies. Edition 2013 in Basel.

• Consultative member of the Organizing Comittee - Host-Associated Microbiota 2012 Meeting & Workshop. First Edition (2012) in Basel.

• Consultant for the organization of the Stressflea Workshop 2012 at the University of Basel, Switzerland.

• Co-organisator (together with Lucas Marie-Orléach) of the interaction seminars of the Zoological Institute, University of Basel, Switzerland. (Every other Wednesday, September 2010 - December 2011)

• Member of the Scientific Advisory Comittee of the Doctoral Program in Population Genomics (Participating universities: Basel, Bern, Fribourg, Lausanne. Period of activity: 2010 - ongoing)

• Member of the Organizing Comitee, Department Board & Lodging - SymBioSE 2011, the Annual Symposium of Biology Students in Europe edition 2011 in Switzerland.

• Member of the Dean Commission in charge of motivating candidatures and selecting a candidate for the position of Director of the School of Biology - University of Lausanne (2008-2009)(invited position).

• Member of 6 Selection/Hiring & Tenure Committees (Hiring/Tenure levels: Assistant Professor Tenure-track, Associate Professor Tenure-track, Associate Professor, Extraordinarius. Research Fields: Zoology, Behavioural Ecology, Molecular Vegetal Biology, Fundamental Microbiology, Evolutionary Botany) - Universities of Lausanne and Basel (Period: 2006 - 2011)(invited positions).

Science outreach

def. “Science outreach, also called Education and Public Outreach (EPO or E/PO) or simply Public outreach, is an umbrella term for a variety of activities by research institutes, universities, but also institutions such as science museums, aimed at promoting public awareness (and understanding) of science (PAWS) and making informal contributions to science education.” (Source Wikipedia)

Member	Frei Denken Uni Basel - Free thinkers academic association, University of Basel
Instructor	Environmental issues and ecological awareness course for the Maintenance and NBC-defense troops of the Swiss Army
Guest instructor	Wilderness camp “Les Pros de la Forêt” (Newspaper article)
Snakes demonstrator	University open house “Les Mystères de l'Unil”
Chief counsellor	Teen camp about farm and wild animals “La Ferme du Bonheur”
Camp counsellor	Teen camp about farm and wild animals “La Ferme du Bonheur”
Rules judge	United States of America's National Ocean Sciences Bowl
Science judge	United States of America's National Ocean Sciences Bowl
Junior caretaker	Reptile, amphibian and insect zoological garden “Vivarium de Lausanne”