The research profile of Dirk Schmeller is not only characterized by a multidisciplinary view, but also a global view on research questions. He is an expert in linking local environmental issues to global problems. As an ecologist, Schmeller has been using biotas, keystone species and  host-pathogen-environment interactions in mountain ecosystems as model systems. Understanding the host-pathogen-environment triangle is of high scientific and societal importance, as pathogens and parasites are an important evolutionary force shaping populations, species, and ecosystems.

His research on the host-pathogen-environmental triangle in the Biodiversa Project RACE (https://www.biodiversa.eu/2022/11/01/race/) and the Belmont Forum project P³ - People, Pollution and Pathogens (https://www.p3mountains.org/) has thus far produced several scientific milestones: (1) developing a multidisciplinary research approach linking plankton ecology, bio-geochemistry, toxicology and microbial ecology, (2) understanding the impact of abiotic factors on the infection dynamics of an amphibian fungal pathogen, (3) furthering our understanding of the interactions between the environmental biota and infective agents, and (4) communicating and interpreting research findings for application by practitioners and decision-makers. These milestones were only possible due to his broad knowledge of many aspects of biology and biodiversity research, acquired over more than 20 years of research career, allowing him to break new research ground. Indeed, he was able to establish new relationships between pathogens/parasites, their (biotic and abiotic) environment, and their hosts. This led to the development of the concept of the disease pyramid, as the host microbiome plays an important role in these complex interactions and the expression of disease. Schmeller pursues highly innovative research on the interface between functional ecology and disease ecology using and developing the latest methodologies in environmental-DNA, network analysis, experimental ecology, handling of large datasets, and computational approaches. Currently, Schmeller holds the AXA Chair for Functional Mountain Ecology, intensively investigating global change impacts on mountain freshwater ecosystems and contributes to our understanding of the impact of pathogens on mountain freshwater ecosystems. He links global changes to risks for human well-being and hence, makes a link between ecosystem degradation and health of animals and humans, basing his work in the OneHealth/EcoHealth context.

Title of the presentation : "Health, Mountains, and Climate Change".