Press Release

CHICAGO – The Spanish Royal Academy of Sciences (RAC) has elected Thorsten Lumbsch, PhD, Vice President of Science at the Field Museum and a botanist expert in the study of the evolutionary biology of lichens, to join the prestigious organization’s international academic staff.

Lumbsch’s work demonstrating that the diversification of extant lichens occurred in parallel with that of land plants has transformed our understanding of the species diversity of this group, the history of its diversification, and its biogeography, the RAC said in a statement. Lumbsch’s appointment brings the RAC’s international academic staff to 105 professionals. 

“This is a wonderful honor, and well-earned,” says Field Museum President and CEO Julian Siggers, PhD. “The Field Museum is delighted to see our colleague Thorsten Lumbsch recognized in this way for his exceptional scholarship and many impactful contributions to the study of lichens.” 

Lumbsch, who is originally from Germany, has been with the Field Museum since 2003 and is also a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The RAC noted that Lumbsch has published five books, 20 chapters, and more than 580 articles, and has described over 300 species of lichen, including many cryptic ones.

Lumbsch says he is humbled and honored by RAC’s acknowledgment.

“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Ana Crespo for her enduring collaboration and support as both a colleague and mentor,” he adds. “I am equally grateful to my colleagues at the Field Museum, whose encouragement and support have helped me throughout my career.”