Dr. Jo Nyffeler is a group leader in the Department of Cell Toxicology since January 2023. Their group “High-throughput ecotoxicology (HITEC)” is developing new alternative testing methods for environmental-relevant species (e.g., fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects). These methods will be applied in high-throughput for chemical hazard assessment.

Jo completed their Bachelor in biochemistry at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, and the Masters in biology at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. They then pursued a PhD in in vitro toxicology at the University of Konstanz, Germany, aiming to develop alternative testing methods for developmental neurotoxicology. Upon completion of the PhD in 2017, they moved to North Carolina, USA, to join the Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a PostDoc. Jo’s main focus was the establishment of the "Cell Painting" assay at the Center, an image-based high-throughput method to screen chemicals for their bioactivity. This assay will also be part of their ongoing research efforts at UFZ.

Jo’s continuous efforts to develop alternatives to animal testing have been recognized with the Lush Prize 2020 Young Researcher Award (£10.000) and with the Best Postdoctoral Publication Award from the Society of Toxicology in 2021.