Lutzoni Lab – Evolution, Ecology, and Genomics of Fungal Symbioses

Welcome to the Lutzoni Lab

NSF - Arctic fungi

Learn more about our NSF project on endophytic and endolichenic fungi of the Arctic

NSF - GoLife

Learn more about our NSF, GoLife, project on the largest group of unknown fungi.

Factors shaping lichen networks

Learn more about our NSF BEE project on lichen networks.

Research interests in the Lutzoni lab are centered on symbiotic systems involving fungi and photoautotrophic organisms. Lichens, including their microbiomes, have been our principal focus, but since 2005 our research program has expanded to include endophytic fungi found in all lineages of land plants and endolichenic fungi found in lichen thalli. We have been studying these symbioses primarily from a macroevolutionary perspective, but since 2003 we have adopted an interdisciplinary approach bridging evolutionary biology, ecology, and genomics. Research in the Lutzoni lab spans the full spectrum of activities, from intensive fieldwork-based surveys to experimental laboratory work, across broad spatio-temporal scales.

Summer 2026: Three Lutzoni Lab Ph.D. students were recognized at national and international conferences this summer!

By Diego Garfiasgallegos September 29, 2026 September 29, 2026 News

Congratulations to Amanda, Diego, and Carlos!

Amanda Wilson, won best poster award at the annual conference of the Mycological Society of America (MSA, Portland, Oregon) for the second year in a row!
Diego Garfias Gallegos, won best oral presentation (Margalith Galun award) at the 10th congress of the international Association for Lichenology (IAL10, Trieste, Italy).
Carlos Pardo-De la Hoz, is the recipient of the Mason Hale Award in recognition of excellence in research by a young lichenologist for outstanding work resulting from a doctoral dissertation. He received this award during the 10th congress of the international Association for Lichenology (IAL10, Trieste, Italy). Currently, postdoc at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

2026-04-30: Congratulations, Arielle and Amber!

By Diego Garfiasgallegos May 8, 2026 May 8, 2026 News

Celebrating the graduation of two of the undergraduate students in the Lutzoni lab. Arielle Kim will soon start her training in genetic counseling, and Amber White is graduating with distinction and will be pursuing a premed post-baccalaureate training program. Both will be included as co-authors in upcoming publications. Congratulations to both. We will miss you!

From left to right: Jolanta Miadlikowska, Amber White, Amanda Wilson, Arielle Kim, and François Lutzoni)