Phylogenetic relationships of fungi are poorly known. My research incorporates modern molecular techniques with traditional taxonomic methods to test morphological-based classifications from the class level to the species level. Well-supported phylogenies provide clues as to which morphological characters may be informative for predicting evolutionary relationships and which are misleading. In most cases, molecular phylogenies do not reflect current classifications leading to new insights regarding character evolution in fungi.
My lab is currently conducting systematic studies on a wide variety of fungi, including Sordariomycetes, Dothideomycetes, Geoglossomycetes (earth tongues), Annulatascaceae, Clavariadelphus, Morchella (true morels) and Gyromitra (false morels).