Dr. Huzefa Raja, a Research Scientist in the Oberlies Research Group in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, has a received a one-year, $15,000 grant from the Indianapolis Zoo to study freshwater ascomycete fungi from submerged wood in aquatic habitats of Marion County, Indiana.
The abstract below provides additional info.
Beneath the quiet waters of a small lake, bog, swamp or within the waters of a running brook or river, unseen but ecologically active, a distinctive yet largely unknown group of fungi lives and reproduces. This ecological group is very poorly studied and additional collections are necessary to fully characterize these microscopic fungi to formulate understanding of conservation policy. The continued degradation and loss of aquatic habitats due to agriculture, industrial and land development activities make it imperative. Thus, in this project, we will collect, isolate and identify freshwater ascomycete fungi from submerged wood in aquatic habitats of Marion County, Indiana. This information is pivotal for bio-monitoring activities and habitat restoration, so that freshwater ascomycetes can be conserved.
