Lichens are complex symbiotic units formed by a main fungal partner, a green algal and/or a cyanobacterial partner, along with a diverse community of microorganisms.  They represent an important biological group present in most terrestrial ecosystems, with key functions such as colonizers, food source, nitrogen fixers, among many others. During this talk, you will learn more about lichens in general – what they are, why they are important and how to detect important characters to identify them in the field and in the lab.

Manuela Dal Forno (Manu) is a Brazilian-American researcher interested in multiple aspects of the lichen symbiosis. She earned her PhD in Environmental Sciences and Public Policy at George Mason University in Virginia and later was awarded two postdoctoral fellowships to work at the Botany Department at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. She joined the Botanical Research Institution (BRIT) in 2019. Her research has particularly focused on the discovery of new species, especially in the Tropics, and how they are related to one another. 

We will be meeting via Zoom at least one more time.  Check our website and FB page for any last minute updates.  Zoom link on website link below.

Event Location: 
Zoom TX
Date and Time: 
Tuesday, September 21, 2021 - 7:00pm