Thorsten Lumbsch

Thorsten joined the Museum as Assistant Curator in 2003, developing a research program focused on the evolution of lichen-forming fungi. In 2006, he was promoted to Associate Curator and then to full Curator in 2014. From 2009 to 2013, he served as chair of the Department of Botany, and after a reorganization of the Museum’s scientific areas, as Associate Director and then Director of the Integrative Research Center (2013–2017).

Thorsten has been fascinated by lichens (often overlooked but ecologically important) since childhood. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Essen in 1993 and served as an assistant professor (“Privatdozent”) at the University of Duisburg-Essen before joining the Field. His publications number more than 5480 papers, over 20 book chapters, and five books. He has active research collaborations in Thailand, Spain, and Kenya. Fieldwork has taken him to all continents, but his work is focused on Australia and south-east Asia, especially Thailand. He has collaborated on the description of more than 280 new lichen species. Thorsten is managing editor of the journal MycoKeys member of several other editorial boards, and past president of the International Association for Lichenology.

In addition to his administrative and research roles, Thorsten is also active as a mentor to the scientists of tomorrow. He is a lecturer at the University of Chicago, and is active in advising graduate students there and at the University of Illinois–Chicago. He also supervises postdoctoral scientists at the Museum and participates in K-12 educational programs, and served as content adviser for the...