Fungi are the second most species-rich organism group after insects. However, they are a very much understudied and underexplored group with more than 90% of them still unknown to science. In this project, we are exploring fungal diversity and distribution patterns through molecular and morphological studies. The work will likely result in identifying and describing new species. Herbarium samples and newly collected samples from montane tropical oak forests in Costa Rica will be analyzed using both approaches.

As part of the project team, the intern will undertake DNA extractions, PCR, and sequencing as well as morphological characterizations of selected preserved samples. The generated data will be used in phylogenetic analyses for identifying species and understanding evolutionary and biogeographic relationships among the species. Work will be split between the Field Museum (lab work) and the Chicago Botanic Garden (phylogenetic analyses).