No Y in fungi
Ari Jumpponen's "Mushroom Bois" lab gives students hands-on experience with one of nature's most important organisms
By Tommy Killian
Division of Communications and Marketing
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Ari Jumpponen, university distinguished professor and associate director of the Division of Biology, studies fungi and their vital roles in ecosystems.
His research focuses on fungal ecology and fungus-plant interactions, exploring how environmental conditions shape microbial communities.
Using advanced genomics tools, his lab investigates fungi in diverse environments — from prairie soils affected by climate change to forests, streams and other changing landscapes.
Through hands-on learning, students work alongside Jumpponen to better understand the hidden world of mushrooms and their impact on our environment.
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