Group leader
Prof. Cleo Bertelsmeier
![](https://wp.unil.ch/bertelsmeiergroup/files/2020/02/Cleo-Bertelsmeir-UNIL-e1582189326569.jpg)
I have broad interests in insect ecology, invasion biology and climate change impacts. My group and I investigate different aspects of these topics. See research for more details.
Post-docs
![](https://wp.unil.ch/bertelsmeiergroup/files/2021/08/XX-e1678963301797.jpg)
Dr. Lucie Aulus-Giacosa
I joined the group in July 2021. I am currently working on the definition of ants and insects’ bioregions. I am interested in how dispersal of alien species redefines biogeographic areas.
![](https://wp.unil.ch/bertelsmeiergroup/files/2020/03/FC52F126-2853-4957-BC8D-EA2B791F62B2-e1583952991514.jpg)
Dr. Olivia Bates
I joined the group in April 2019. I am currently investigating climatic niche dynamics between native and non-native ranges of invasive species
![](https://wp.unil.ch/bertelsmeiergroup/files/2024/04/Tongyi_Liu-2-1024x683.jpg)
Dr. Tongyi Liu
I joined the research group in February 2024, with a focus on human-mediated dispersal. I am currently working on understanding the role of globalization in the worldwide spread of invasive ant and insect species.
![](https://wp.unil.ch/bertelsmeiergroup/files/2024/04/image-mathieu-1.jpg)
Dr. Mathieu Leclerc
I’m currently interested in the impact of microclimate on ant behaviour, and more specifically on the invasive species Tapinoma magnum. I want to better understand the effect of microclimate and environmental temperatures on ant activity.
PhD Students
![](https://wp.unil.ch/bertelsmeiergroup/files/2022/07/Aymeric_Bonnamour-768x1024.jpg)
Aymeric Bonnamour
I joined the group in February 2020 as a master student, working on global invasion models. I started a PhD in October 2020. I am investigating the impact of globalisation on the spread of alien species.
![](https://wp.unil.ch/bertelsmeiergroup/files/2021/10/photo_tristan_klaftenberger-980x1024.jpg)
Tristan Klaftenberger
I joined the group in September 2021. I am currently interested in the distribution, roles and evolution of color in ants at different spatial scales.
![](https://wp.unil.ch/bertelsmeiergroup/files/2023/01/Photo_newsletter1567-688x1024.png)
Eddie Pérochon
I joined the group in July 2022. During my PhD, I am investigating the role of environmental factors in shaping the variation and plasticity of social organization in ant species.
![](https://wp.unil.ch/bertelsmeiergroup/files/2021/03/bachelors_biologie2019-ZoeSherpa.jpg)
Zoé Sherpa
I joined the group as a PhD student in October 2022. I am currently working on niche dynamics in invasive species and across phylogenies.
![](https://wp.unil.ch/bertelsmeiergroup/files/2024/04/Photo-pour-site-web-2-768x1024.jpg)
Rosaëlle Perreault
I joined the group as PhD student in April 2024. I am currently working on temporal invasion dynamics of invasive insects.
Biostatistician
![](https://wp.unil.ch/bertelsmeiergroup/files/2024/04/TESS_OLLIER.jpg)
Dr. Sébastien Ollier
I am particularly interested in multivariate analysis, spatial statistics and comparative analyses. I work on spatiotemporal invasion dynamics and the evolution of color in ants.
Masters Students
See the page masters students for more information about their ongoing projects
Past Lab members
![](https://wp.unil.ch/bertelsmeiergroup/files/2020/02/FennuGida2.jpg)
Dr. Gyda Fenn-Moltu
I joined the group in February 2019. I am currently investigating how human trade routes influence the global spread of invasive species.
![](https://wp.unil.ch/bertelsmeiergroup/files/2020/02/JGippet-e1646823313258.jpg)
Dr. Jerome Gippet
I joined the group in January 2019. I am currently working on how human-mediated dispersal affects invasive species. Current work involves how the pet trade influences invasion processes
![](https://wp.unil.ch/bertelsmeiergroup/files/2020/02/Bujan.jpg)
Dr. Jelena Bujan
I am interested in the physiological limits of different species. I am currently investigating plasticity in thermal tolerances of ant species
![](https://wp.unil.ch/bertelsmeiergroup/files/2020/02/Szewczyk.jpg)
Dr. Timothy Szewczyk
Tim worked in the group as Post-Doc from 2019-2021. He worked on species distribution and trait modelling in response to elevational gradients. His work involved conducting research for ‘operation fourmis’ in the canton Vaud, Switzerland