|
V. Bala Chaudhary
Ph.D. Candidate - Northern Arizona University
 My research revolves around studies of the ecology of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in natural ecosystems. I also am interested in the management of AM fungal communities and therefore try to tailor my research questions to serve land managers. To this end, my projects primarily focus on community and ecosystem-scale questions. Specifically, I am interested in understanding how AM fungal communities are assembled, AM community feedbacks with plant communities, and AM fungal 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 Jim Bever and Peggy Schultz and did an undergraduate thesis with 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. I began graduate school in 2003 at Northern Arizona University with Nancy Johnson. In 2006, I obtained my M.S. in Biological Sciences and intend to complete my Ph.D. in the spring of 2010. I had a baby girl in February 2009 and am thoroughly enjoying the balancing act of being a scientist and mother! |