Sabine Huhndorf's research program focuses on the systematics, biogeography, and floristics of Ascomycetes, especially Pyrenomycetes and Loculoascomycetes. Her primary current research is a multifaceted study of the Lasiosphaeriaceae, a common group of wood inhabiting Ascomycetes. This project is funded through a NSF Partnership for Enhanced Expertise in Taxonomy (PEET) grant. Sabine also is investigating factors influencing the diversity of tropical wood inhabiting Ascomycetes. Research Sites: Electronic Image Management NSF-PEET Lasiosphaeriaceae Patrick Leacock's research focuses on the ecology and conservation of Basidiomycetes and the systematics of the mushroom genus Lactarius. Pat coordinates the Museum's mycology programs assessing local diversity and the effect of human disturbance on the distribution and diversity of fungi. Research Sites: NAMA Voucher Collection Project Robert Lücking studies lichenized fungi, with special emphasis on tropical lichens, crustose microlichens, and leaf-inhabiting lichens. His approaches include alpha-taxonomy and systematics (molecular and phenotype phylogeny), biogeography, ecology, and applications. In collaboration with the AFTOL group, he is involved in developing a revised fungal classification for the 2006 edition of the Dictionary of the Fungi. He also manages the fungal collections and the departments new KE EMu database system. Among his current projects are a lichen biodiversity inventory in Costa Rica (TICOLICHEN), a foliicolous lichen inventory in Mexico, a monograph on foliicolous lichens for the Flora Neotropica series, a taxonomic revision of ostropalean fungi, and the development of an import module for the KE EMu database. Research Sites: TICOLICHEN - The Costa Rican Lichen Biodiversity Inventory Thelotremataceae Website Foliicolous Lichen Homepage AFTOL KE Emu Search Page Costa Rican Fungi and Lichens Search Page Thorsten Lumbsch's research program centers on the systematics, taxonomy and evolution of fungi that form mutualistic symbioses with algae or cyanobacteria. The symbiotic organisms usually look very different from the single bionts and form a special lichen morphology. Greg Mueller undertakes research on the systematics, population biology, biogeography and ecology of mushrooms and their relatives, and the diversity and ecology of mycorrhizae. Current projects include monographic studies on mushrooms and false truffles, a survey of Costa Rican Agaricales, a comparison of U.S./China mycogeographic relationships, and studies in restoration biology and of the impact of air pollution on fungi. Research Sites: Agaricales of Costa Rican Quercus Forests Macrofungi of China and Eastern North America Mushroom Genus Laccaria in North America NAMA Voucher Collection Project Northern Illinois and Indiana Fungi Singer Index Betty Strack works on diversity studies of Agaricales, culturing of fungi, and the scanning electron microscope. Student research includes investigations into factors influencing fungal diversity on dead woody substrates, factors influencing mycorrhizal diversity, the use of fungi as indicators of environmental quality, Basidiomycete and Ascomycete systematics (lichenized and nonlichenized), and the effect of restoration on the abundance of mycorrhizae. Other Botany Department Research: Economic Botany | Flowering Plants | Fungi/Lichens | Mosses/Liverworts

Agaricales of Costa Rican Quercus Forests Electronic Image Management Macrofungi of China and Eastern North America Mushroom Genus Laccaria in North America NAMA Voucher Collection Project Northern Illinois and Indiana Fungi NSF-PEET Lasiosphaeriaceae Singer Index