Dr. Esther Fischer

Personal profile

Management role

Head, Research group crop protection

Position at the ZHAW

Lecturer
Lecturer for Phytopathology, Weed-Control, Environmental Analysis

www.zhaw.ch/iunr/phytomedizin

Expertise and research interests

General phytopathology. Diagnosis of plant diseases. Bacterial toxins and their use as biocontrol agents. Cryo-storage of nematodes and other small multi-cellular organism.

Past research experiences:
Coral-Algae symbiosis, coral-bleaching.

Educational background

General Biology at the University of Zurich (1996/1997).
Marine Biology at James Cook University, Townsville (Australia) (1998-2000).
PhD at Southern Cross University, Lismore Australia about the use of dimethylsulphonio-propionate (DMSP), dimethyl-sulphide (DMS)and urea as short-term indicators of physiologigal stress response of the staghorn-coral Acropora intermedia to elevated nutrients and temperatures.

Membership of networks

• Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Phytomedizin (SGP)
• Swiss Food Research, Innovation group fungi
• Society for Invertebrate Pathology
• IOBC

Projects

• Bakterien von Nematoden als Kupferersatz / Project leader / Project ongoing
• Mushroom cultivation on substrate blocks in agricultural production and gardens / Project leader / Project ongoing
• Pilotanlagen Insektenproduktion / Deputy project leader / Project ongoing
• Pilzanbau im Freiland / Project leader / Project ongoing
• Untersuchung Bakterienstämme auf Kraut- und Knollenfäule (Phytophthora infestans) / Project leader / Project completed
• Biognosting / Deputy project leader / Project completed
• CO2 neutral insect production for PetFood / Deputy project leader / Project completed
• Überprüfung des Unkrautregulierungs-System EMMA im Garten und auf befestigten Stellflächen / Deputy project leader / Project completed
• Neophytenbekämpfung mit Radiowellen / Project leader / Project completed
• Selbstkalibrierende Steuerung für ressourcenschonende Bewässerung in der Landwirtschaft / Team member / Project completed

Publications

• Jones, Graham B.; Fischer, Esther; Deschaseaux, Elisabeth S.M.; Harrison, Peter L.,

  2014.

  The effect of coral bleaching on the cellular concentration of dimethylsulphoniopropionate in reef corals.

  Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology.

  460(11), pp. 19-31.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2014.06.003

• Péchy-Tarr, M.; Bruck, D. J.; Maurhofer, M.; Fischer, Esther; Vogne, C.; Henkels, M. D.; Donahue, K. M.; Grunder, Jürg; Loper, J. E.; Keel, C.,

  2008.

  Molecular analysis of a novel gene cluster encoding an insect toxin in plant-associated strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens.

  Environmental Microbiology.

  10(9), pp. 2368-2386.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1462-2920.2008.01662.x

• Graham, Jones; Curran, Mark; Broadbent, Andrew; King, Stacey; Fischer, Esther; Jones, Rosemary,

  2007.

  Factors affecting the cycling of dimethylsulfide and dimethylsulfoniopropionate in coral reef waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

  Environmental Chemistry.

  4(5), pp. 310-322.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1071/EN06065

• Fischer, Esther; Jones, Graham,

  2012.

  Atmospheric dimethylsulphide production from corals in the Great Barrier Reef and links to solar radiation, climate and coral bleaching [paper].

  In:

  Special Issue of the 5th International Symposium on Biological and Environmental Chemistry of DMS(P) and Related Compounds, Goa, India, 19-22 October 2010.

  5th International Symposium on Biological and Environmental Chemistry of DMS(P) and Related Compounds, Goa, India, 19-22 October 2010.

  Springer.

  pp. 31-46.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10533-012-9719-y

• Fischer, Esther,

  2017.

  Gefährdung von Arbeitenden durch Kontakt mit Pflanzenschutzmitteln während Nachfolgearbeiten in der Landwirtschaft. Auftragsstudie des Staatssekretariats für Wirtschaft (SECO).

  ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften.

  Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-3827

• Bucher, Daniel; Fischer, Esther,

  2006.

  A possible role for urea in mediating coral responses to pulsed doses of ammonium [paper].

  In:

  Proceedings of the 10th international Coral Reef Symposium, Okinawa.

  10th International Coral Reef Symposium, Okinawa, 27 June - 2 July 2004.

  International Society for Reef Studies.

  pp. 831-837.

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