Professor Thorunn Helgason
Chair in Ecology, Head of School
School of Biological Sciences | University of Edinburgh
3 sentences on your research interests
Variation in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities, and interactions between AMF and other organisms, has the potential to affect large scale ecosystem function. My research focuses on determining what controls AM fungal biodiversity and function, including host plant effects and soil environment, and how these factors affect fungal fitness and evolution. We study this using manipulative field and laboratory experiments, and molecular and bioinformatic approaches.
What excites you most about ICOM12?
Everything! We are striving to be true to ICOM’s traditions of excellent and interesting science, seeing new parts of the world, and having enough time to talk to people. ICOM has always been one of my favourite meetings.
Why should people attend ICOM12?
ICOM is a transformative community. I have forged my most important collaborations at this meeting in the past, and I have no doubt that ICOM12 in Manchester will help you find yours!
