University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The Fungal Ecology Research Lab is directed by Dr. Teddy Garcia-Aroca. Our lab's research intersects the multidisciplinary fields of biological sciences, microbiology, and bioinformatics, with a focus on fungal plant pathogens.
Our research spans multiple dimensions, including the evolution of pathogen populations, host range, ecological niche adaptation, and human-driven factors such as pathogen resistance to agricultural chemicals. We also explore the diversity of pathogens across ecosystems, the variety of secondary metabolites they produce, lifestyle transitions, survival strategies, pathogen-pathogen interactions, and their roles in community ecology.
We are always looking for motivated candidates to join our lab as graduate and undergraduate students, postdocs, and visiting scholars or staff. If interested, please email Teddy at teddy.garcia@unl.edu.
To join our lab, please make formal inquiries by visiting the Join Us section and filling out the form (priority will be given to these inquiries).
Kelvin's shared some of his art and research with MSA and it was featured in their June 2025 Newsletter. Read more about it here.
Teddy contributed to a new manuscript that will be published in Plant Health Progress soon. The manuscript is titled "A Diagnostic Guide for Fusarium Root Rot of Soybean" and it is the outcome of efforts by an international group of researchers, led by Febina Mathew at North Dakota State University. Find the pre-print here.
Riley Eisenbraun, who joined our lab in the Fall of 2024 as an undergraduate student, has completed her Bachelor's Degree in Cellular Biochemistry as a Chancellor's Scholar at UNL. Riley graduated with the highest distinction in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR). Congratulations, Riley! Find a note here.
Tessa Fiore, has completed her Bachelor's degree in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, with highest distinction in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Congratulations, Tessa! Find a note here.
Riley Eisenbraun successfully defended her undergraduate thesis titled: "Single and Multiple Fungicide Resistance Among Genetically Distinct Populations of the Potato Black Dot Pathogen, Colletotrichum coccodes." Congratulations, Riley!
Tessa was featured as the May 2025 student spotlight by the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). Tessa joined our lab in the Fall of 2023 and recently completed her undergraduate thesis and graduated with highest distinction. Congratulations, Tessa! Read it here.
Preangka joins us from The Ohio State University. Preangka's research interest are soybean diseases and soilborne pathogens. She is originally from Bangladesh and has reported fungal diseases on dragonfruit in Bangladesh, among other things. Read her manuscript here.
Riley participated in the annual meeting of the American Society of Plant Biologist (ASPB) Midwest and won the 1st place in the poster competition. The title of her poster was "Single and Multiple Site Fungicide Resistance Among Genetically Distinct Populations of the Potato Black Dot Pathogen, Colletotrichum coccodes. Congratulations, Riley! Find out more here.
Kelvin delivered his first departmental seminar titled: "Navigating challenges in the management of soil-borne pathogens of soybean" on March 10th, 2025. This is an important step for Kelvin in the pursuit of a MS degree in Plant Pathology. Congratulations, Kelvin!
Teddy recently attended the Southern Soybean Disease Workers (SSDW) meeting in Pensacola Beach, FL and was elected to serve as their VP in their 2026 meeting. This is an important step to continue building collaborations across the country. Find out more here.
Xin Zhi Khoo, who joined our lab in January of 2023, obtained her MS degree at the December 2024 commencements and graduation ceremony. Xin Zhi did a wonderful job and she will be dearly missed. . Congratulations, Xin Zhi! Find out more here.
Kelvin, who is currently working in the diversity and fungicide resistance of soybean-associated Fusarium spp. won the 1st place at the graduate level poster competition of the 4th annual UNL Microbiology Symposium. Congratulations, Kelvin! Find out more here.
Xin Zhi, who joined our lab in the Spring of 2023, delivered her exit seminar and defender her MS thesis this past month. Her thesis was titled: "Evolution of Rhizoctonia solani is shaped by host range and population-specific transitions to specialism". Congratulations, Xin Zhi!!
