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International collaboration to investigate global fungal spore dispersal
International collaboration to investigate global fungal spore dispersal
The Department of Biology at the University of York to host March 2020 workshop to design novel spore trap experiment and create global network of ecologists.
Ecologists from University of York UK, and DePaul University in Chicago, USA, along with campaigning group Ada Lovelace Day, have been awarded a £80,177 grant by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) to study fungi essential to soil health as part of a global collaboration that will also promote inclusivity and the retention of women and minorities in science.
The deadline for expressions of interest has now passed, and applicants will hear from the i-COMET team soon.
The deadline for expressions of interest has now passed, and applicants will hear from the i-COMET team soon.
Dr Bala Chaudhary on a green roof experiment in Chicago, installing a spore trap to measure fungal spore dispersal.
Innovative investigation into crucial fungi
Innovative investigation into crucial fungi
An international workshop in York in the spring of 2020 will bring together ecologists from around the world to design a spore trap to be used in locations across the globe to collect samples and shed some light on the airborne dispersal of mycorrhizal fungi spores. Participants will co-design the trap itself, the data collection methods, and implementation, leading to the development of a dynamic, predictive model of mycorrhizal fungi distribution and dispersal networks.
Mycorrhizal fungi are essential to soil health, playing a major role in soil quality, plants’ nutrient and water uptake, as well as protecting them from pests and pathogens. By investigating the dispersal rates of these spores, we can better understand if and how these fungi spread from area to area - the first step to rebuilding resilience in soils that have degraded due to environmental change, and subsequently strengthening food production and security.
Global network to support women and minorities
Global network to support women and minorities
With support from universities on five continents, the project will also develop participants’ cross-timezone collaboration and professional networking skills to create a sustainable and truly global community. It will particularly focus on recruiting scientists who are diverse in gender, race, geography and culture with support for those from low and middle income countries.
The project will be lead by Dr Thorunn Helgason, Senior Lecturer in Ecology at the University of York, alongside Dr Pen Holland, Lecturer in Ecology at the University of York, with project partners including Dr V Bala Chaudhary, Assistant Professor in Environmental Science and Studies at DePaul University and Suw Charman-Anderson, founder of Ada Lovelace Day, an annual international celebration of the achievements of women in STEM.
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