Abstract: Dispersal is a fundamental process influencing both large-scale biogeographical patterns and local community assembly, but considerable knowledge gaps exist for dispersal of microbial fungi that form Earth’s most common symbioses. Variation in dispersal is predicted among species due to variation in spore traits, but these predictions have yet to be empirically tested. Furthermore, passive accumulation of fungal propagules in urban environments suggests rapid aerial dispersal. Using field experiments, functional traits, and high-throughput sequencing we investigate the prevalence and patterns of aerial dispersal of fungi. These data inform microbial dispersal conceptual models and guide predictions about how stochastic processes drive microbial biogeography and community structure.

Bio: Dr. Bala Chaudhary is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Studies at DePaul University in Chicago. She is a trained biological scientist, conducting her undergraduate degree at the University of Chicago and her MS and PhD at Northern Arizona University. Research in her lab examines plant-soil-microbial ecology to address landscape-scale questions in natural and mana ged ecosystems from deserts to rain forests to cities. Bala has numerous publications in high profile journals and, in 2019, she received a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to study microbial biogeography as well as ways to promote racial and ethnic diversity in STEM.

For event Link - Email Tanu Malik tanu.malik@depaul.edu