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V. Bala Chaudhary, Ph.D.
Adjunct Faculty
School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability
Northern Arizona University
 My research revolves around studies of the ecology of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in natural and managed ecosystems. I try to tailor my research questions to serve land managers and focus my work at the community and ecosystem scales. Specifically, I am interested in understanding how AM fungal communities are assembled, how these communities interact with other soil organisms, and how they provide vital ecosystem services such as the enhancement of soil stability. I am particularly intrigued by the diversity and biogeography of AM fungal communities and how this knowledge can be applied to the burgeoning field of fungal conservation biology.  I grew up in Fridley, Minnesota and received my undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago in 1999. I began working on mycorrhizas as a research assistant to Drs. Jim Bever and Peggy Schultz and did an undergraduate thesis with Dr. R. Michael Miller at Argonne National Laboratory. After college, I worked as a research technician for Jim and Peggy at UC Irvine for one year. From 2000 to 2003, I worked as a biologist for EARTHWORKS Restoration Consulting in Los Angeles designing restoration plans and conducting research on the role of mycorrhizas in ecosystem restoration. In 2003, I began graduate studies in Biological Sciences at Northern Arizona University with Dr. Nancy Johnson. In 2006, I obtained my M.S. and in 2010 I completed my Ph.D. I became an adjunct faculty member of NAU's School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability in the fall of 2010 and have had the pleasure to teach and remain active in research. I have two small children and thoroughly enjoy the balancing act of being a scientist and mother! |