Science Associates / Specialization:
Spatial Statistics
A. Kevin Geoffroy
A. Kevin Geoffroy
Affiliation
Mie University & Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (Japan)
Location
Japan
Research Description
I am establishing bioresources of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) from less investigated habitats particularly forests to unveil dark AMF and their associated bacteria. After identification and description, isolated AMF are used in laboratory experiments to check previous DNA-based hypotheses and clarify how AMF diversity and cohabitation drive their functions.
specializations
biomes
Benjamin Dauphin
Benjamin Dauphin
Affiliation
Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL
Location
Birmensdorf, Switzerland
Research Description
My research combines population genomics and soil ecology to understand ectomycorrhizal fungi-host adaptation to local environments. I investigate evolutionary processes in forest and alpine ecosystems, focusing on local adaptation, mating systems, and co-adaptation mechanisms. My work explores genotype-environment associations and factors maintaining intraspecific biodiversity in natural ecosystems.
specializations
biomes
Brian Steidinger
Brian Steidinger
Affiliation
University of Edinburgh
Location
Edinburgh, UK
Research Description
I use theory, experiment, and natural history to determine what controls the diversity and distribution of symbiont communities. My work focuses primarily on the mutualism between the majority of terrestrial plants and mycorrhizal fungi, though I am interested broadly in all types of mutualism.
specializations
biomes
Chandra Man Rai
Chandra Man Rai
Affiliation
Utah State University
Location
Bhutan
Research Description
I am working on how environmental changes such as forest expansion or tree line movement impact the underground microbial communities and their role in ecosystem processes
specializations
biomes
Clara Qin
Clara Qin
Affiliation
SPUN | Society for the Protection of Underground Networks
Location
Millbrae, CA
Research Description
I study the biogeography of soil fungi. I use statistical methods based on macroeco-evolutionary theory to understand how environmental conditions, biotic interactions, and evolutionary history shape fungal species ranges. My research predicts how mycorrhizal fungal species ranges will respond to global change and identifies areas of high conservation priority.
specializations
biomes
claralqin@gmail.com
David J. Castillo
David J. Castillo
Affiliation
Arizona State University
Location
Phoenix, Arizona / Mexico City
Research Description
We use low-cost remote, modular sensing devices to measure how environmental variables modulate the abundance of microbial population and their impact on vegetation growth in difficult settings, addressing unknown interactions between soil bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi in complex ecosystems dynamics like soil respiration, carbon cycle and nitrogen fixation.
specializations
biomes
Dr. Amna Imran
Dr. Amna Imran
Affiliation
University of the Punjab
Location
Pakistan
Research Description
My research explores ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity in Pakistan’s Himalayan temperate forests using metagenomics and next-generation sequencing (NGS). By integrating high-throughput sequencing with phylogenetic (ITS, LSU markers) and ecological analyses, I aim to uncover fungal community structures, their ecological roles, and applications in conservation and sustainable forest management.
specializations
biomes
Emilio José Mariscal Flores
Emilio José Mariscal Flores
Affiliation
University of Panamá
Location
Panamá; Coclé Province; Penonomé district
Research Description
Working with undergraduate students at the University of Panamá in the Agronomy Faculty in Agroforestry Engineering, one of our objectives is to strengthen their capabilities in understanding how the soil and its microorganisms work. 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 Ngäbe-Buglé in partnership with the GCBC-STRI project. In addition, our students will be using STRI labs for molecular (DNA) analysis and sequencing of fungal and mycorrhizal communities, working with Dr. Kristin Saltonstall.
specializations
biomes
Esteban Gallardo Pillancari
Esteban Gallardo Pillancari
Affiliation
Universidad Austral de Chile
Location
Valdivia, Chile
Research Description
Mi investigación busca comprender las comunidades de hongos micorrízicos asociados al dosel arbóreo de los bosques templados antiguos del sur de Chile, así de esta forma contribuir al conocimiento sobre estos ecosistemas poco estudiados y su interacción con la vegetación epifita.
specializations
biomes
esteban08n@gmail.com
Felix Zimmermann
Felix Zimmermann
Affiliation
Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL
Location
Birmensdorf, Switzerland
Research Description
I am a PhD student working on ecological genomics of ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with oaks. In particular, I am interested in evolutionary processes of the ECM species Cenococcum geophilum.
specializations
biomes
Fruzsina Eva Felegyhazi
Fruzsina Eva Felegyhazi
Affiliation
Hungarian Soil Science Society
Location
Budapest, Hungary
Research Description
In my research, I examine the correlations between pedodiversity and biodiversity. We research how soil properties and soil depth is effecting the arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi population.
specializations
biomes
Hugo Mauricio Ortega Andrade
Hugo Mauricio Ortega Andrade
Affiliation
Universidad Regional Amazónica Ikiam
Location
Tena, Amazonia, Ecuador
Research Description
Biogeography for conservation of threatened species/ecosystems. Systematics, taxonomy and evolutionary biology.
specializations
biomes
Ireland Sherrill
Ireland Sherrill
Affiliation
Stanford University
Location
San Francisco, CA
Research Description
Ireland Sherrill is a PhD student at Stanford University whose research applies spaceborne hyperspectral imagery to predict belowground microbial diversity through canopy trait analysis. By integrating remote sensing with ecological modeling, she aims to link foliar nutrient dynamics to soil microbial processes across forest ecosystems to support conservation and stewardship.
specializations
biomes
Jack Orebaugh
Jack Orebaugh
Affiliation
Oak Ridge National Lab
Location
United States
Research Description
Investigation of plant~fungal interactions centering around organic matter decomposition, stress response, and disturbance affects utilizing -Omics approaches, spectroscopy, and computational methods. The goal of my work is to understand how plant~fungal interactions impact ecosystem ecology and how we can scale up from lab to ecosystem scale.
specializations
biomes
Jordon Tourville
Jordon Tourville
Affiliation
Appalachian Mountain Club
Location
Burlington, Vermont, USA
Research Description
My research focuses on the response of plant and forest communities, particularly in montane systems, to global change drivers. This includes investigating mycorrhizal controls on tree species seedling establishment and distributions, and mycorrhizal-mediated community changes of alpine vegetation in northeastern North America.
specializations
biomes
Kennedy Ododa
Kennedy Ododa
Affiliation
Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Location
Kenya
Research Description
Spatial temporal compositional dynamics of fungal communities in old-growth and new regenerating forests
specializations
biomes
Laura Van Galen
Laura Van Galen
Affiliation
ETH University, SPUN
Location
Zürich, Switzerland
Research Description
I am a postdoctoral researcher at both ETH Zurich and SPUN, and I work with global-scale models to better understand the ecology and distribution of fungi around the world. I also work with eDNA from soils to improve our understanding of how fungal communities influence forest ecosystems (particularly with ectomycorrhizal fungi), as well as glasshouse experiments (involving both ectomycorrhiza and ericoid mycorrhizae).
specializations
biomes
Maan Bahadur Rokaya
Maan Bahadur Rokaya
Affiliation
Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences
Location
Nepal
Research Description
Dr. Maan B. Rokaya, a researcher at the Institute of Botany and the Global Change Research Institute, both under the Czech Academy of Sciences, is involved in research related to population dynamics of economically important plant species, plant adaptation, and species interaction in the Himalayan region.
specializations
biomes
Manish Kumar Sharma
Manish Kumar Sharma
Affiliation
Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences
Location
India
Research Description
I am a plant ecologist working in the Western Himalaya (NW Himalaya), focusing on climate change impacts on alpine ecosystems. My research examines how shifts in climate might influence plant communities, biodiversity, and functional traits, using field experiments and trait-based approaches to understand ecosystem responses.
specializations
biomes
Marlon Oswaldo Pineda Escobar
Marlon Oswaldo Pineda Escobar
Affiliation
Universidad Nacional de Loja
Location
Loja, Ecuador
Research Description
My research aims to diagnose and identify plant pathogens such as bacteria, fungi and nematodes in the crops of small and large farmers. I am also investigating the potential of beneficial microorganisms to control economic diseases affecting crops in sourthern Ecuador.
specializations
biomes
Michael Sakha
Michael Sakha
Affiliation
Kenyatta University
Location
Kenyatta University main campus
Research Description
My research is on the role of arbuscular mycorrhiza on carbon cylces processes
specializations
biomes
Raphael Wangalwa
Raphael Wangalwa
Affiliation
Mbarara University of Science and Technology
Location
Mbarara, Uganda
Research Description
Research focuses on documenting the diversity and understanding the ecology and population dynamics of under explored organisms including mycorrhizal fungal communities of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, an Afromontane forest located in southwestern, Uganda.
specializations
biomes
Sapphire McMullan-Fisher
Sapphire McMullan-Fisher
Affiliation
University of New England (Australia)
Location
Armidale, NSW, Australia
Research Description
Interested in developing better understanding by land managers about the different fungal groups. Hoping to improve conservation of remnants and restoration across landscapes. Particularly interested in getting baseline data for natural areas.
Interested in collaborative projects that include education and community engagement.
specializations
biomes
link
Fungi4Land.com
ffunecol@gmail.com
Skylar Perez
Skylar Perez
Affiliation
Texas
Location
United States
Research Description
I am a PhD student working at the intersection of remote sensing, soil ecology, and design in semi-arid landscapes. My research focuses on mapping mycorrhizal fungal diversity and understanding how underground networks respond to land-use change, agriculture, and desertification.
specializations
biomes
Smriti Pehim Limbu
Smriti Pehim Limbu
Affiliation
Dartmouth College
Location
United States
Research Description
I study plant and mycorrhizal communities in the context of global environmental change.
specializations
biomes
Swathi Kothattil
Swathi Kothattil
Affiliation
The Pennsylvania State University
Location
United States
Research Description
Filamentous fungi, Lignocellulolytic enzymes, proteomics
specializations
biomes
sqk6131@psu.edu
Umma Abdurrahman Yakasai
Umma Abdurrahman Yakasai
Affiliation
Bayero University Kano
Location
Kano, Nigeria
Research Description
I am an early-career researcher whose work focuses on the identification and characterization of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associated with crop plants and their application in sustainable crop production.
specializations
biomes
Urmila Mallick
Urmila Mallick
Affiliation
Yale University
Location
New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Research Description
My research explores the impacts of domestic and wild megaherbivores on mycorrhizal dynamics and ecosystem carbon balance in tropical and boreal systems. I apply methods across soil ecology, biogeochemistry, ecosystem ecology, and conservation biology to assess how animals mediate aboveground/belowground processes and can be incorporated into nature-based climate solutions.
