Jonathan Schilling
Dr. Schilling's research couples the biology of decomposer fungi with their ecological implications and biotechnological applications. Fungi are common pests of living plants, but they also play a key role in plant decomposition and ecosystem health. In many cases, boundaries are not strict between pathogens, endophytes and saprophytes. His work is geared to understand the genetic and metabolic basis for plant cell wall decomposition among the fungi that offer either/both natural insight and/or commercial promise.