Fungal Traits

My past research involved fungal communities of liana roots and tropical disease ecology. I now study root-associated fungi inside Podocarpus trees in Western Panama. This work hopes to better understand the interactions between root-associated fungi, root morphology, and soil dynamics.

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Working on mycorrhiza control over SOM dynamics in mediterranean forests of Chile. Assessing the impact of increased relative abundance of EcM systems due to pine plantation for timber production and cellulose.

Responses and adaptation of fungi to global climate change and impacts to biogeochemical cycles.

• Benefits of Plant Growth Promoting Microorganisms (PGPM): Highly effective strains, encapsulation, seed coating
• Mycorrhiza/PGPM: Physiology, markers and predictive tools, strategies for mastering colonization/beneficial effects on crop production, tracking introduced strains
• Quality control of mycorrhizal fungi as microbial plant biostimulants, member of CEN-TC 455 'Biostimulants for future'

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Research scientist with specialization in paleoecology (soil and sediment analysis) whose objective is to reconstruct vegetation history and restoration in a given habitat/landscape. Activities associated with the research includes; soils sampling (grab sample), recovery of sediment cores, laboratory soil/ sediments processing, microscopy to assess pollen and fungal spores and data management.

Working with undergraduate students at University of Panamá in the Agronomy Faculty into Agroforestry Engineering, ones of our objective is strengthen their capabilities understanding how the soil and their microorganisms working on. Under this focus, We will try to  evaluate the total fungal and mycorrhizal community richness and composition that will vary with elevation due to changes in climatic influences, in addition to soil characteristics and the influence of vegetation. For that, we will be establishing plots  to collect data at several sites across the Comarca Gnabe Bouglé in partnership with GCBC -STRI project. In addition our students must be using Labs from STRI to study molecular  (DNA)  and sequencing of fungal and mycorrhizal working with Saltonstall Kristin Dr.

Currently, my research explores mycorrhizal associations in orchids.

I am the founder and director of the Telluride Environmental Science and Engineering Laboratory (TESEL).  I am also the Director of Science and Research at the Telluride Institute.  My laboratory has a portfolio of ongoing projects focused on environmental biology in alpine and subalpine ecosystems in the San Juan Mountains near Telluride Colorado.  Much of my research focuses on complex-systems biology and fungal biodiversity, including a new research initiative to assess mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi in high-elevation fens.

Bioecology of mycorrhizas and associated fungi in natural and human-modified environments; Taxonomic and functional diversity of mycorrhizas; Direct and indirect ecosystem services provided by mycorrhizas; Search for fungal species with biotechnological potential for application in various aspects of everyday life, remediation and restoration of natural environments; Fungi and global change.

My primary research focus lies in harnessing the power of genomics to develop innovative solutions that promote a harmonious relationship between agriculture and the environment. Additionally, I'm passionate about exploring marine bioprospecting for the development of novel drugs and other valuable applications.

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Dr. K. Premsagar  research expertise lies in Characterization of metal ion transporters from Neurospora crassa and their role in life cycle development and fungal biodegradation of lignocellulose. Currently working on Trichoderma metal ion transporters,  isolation of fungal biofertilizers from hill and mountain areas in Nalgonda region.

Research Scientist with specialization on mycorrhizal fungi research. My expertise is on field soil sampling, fungi taxonomy, molecular applications, trap cultures establishments and data management and analysis.

I am interested in the molecular dialogue between plants, mycorrhizal fungi and bacteria during community formation. I apply electron tomography and light microscopy to study the structural organisation of community interactions during symbiosis and how the mechanisms of molecular transport inform our understanding of planetary health.

Horizontal and vertical precipitation effect on above-belowground carbon cycle and microbial community in upper montane forests

Estudio de la intercomunicación entre plantas mediada por redes micorrícicas comúnes