FOREST FUNGI

Dr. Ahmed M. Abdel-Azeem is Professor of Mycology at the University of Suez Canal Department of Botany and Microbiology. Dr. Abdel-Azeem’s research focuses on fungal ecology, taxonomy, biology, secondary metabolites, bioremediation and biosorption by fungi, endophytes, climate change, and fungal biodiversity and conservation. He is the founder and president of the Arab Society for Fungal Conservation and an executive committee member of the International Mycological Association (IMA). He was a founding member of the International Society for Fungal Conservation and is a member of both the European Mycological Association and Mycological Society of America, as well as the IUCN SSC Specialist Group for Cup Fungi, Truffles, and Their Allies. He has published several titles, including Elsevier’s Endophytic Fungi and Forest Fungi.

Dr. Marieka Gryzenhout PhD is passionate about studying fungi (mycology). Her mycology career started when she developed a world monograph of the important tree pathogen fungal family Cryphonectriaceae. Her research instilled in her a hunger to discover fungal species, describe them and untangle taxonomic problems using a practical approach and making the knowledge available to diverse end-users who do not necessarily have the appropriate skills and background. Her current position as biosystematist in the Department of Genetics at the University of the Free State, is conducive to follow her research ideals. Currently she published 85 international peer reviewed articles, three books (one has been revised and released again) and four book chapters

Dr. Soumya Ghosh is currently working as an Assistant Professor at the Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center, University of Nizwa, Oman since January, 2024. Previously, he worked as postdoctoral researcher at the University of the Free State, South Africa (2019 - 2024). Following his Ph.D. from Stellenbosch University, South Africa (2011-2015) he pursued his first postdoctoral studies at Thompson Rivers University, Canada (2016 -2017). After returning from Canada, he joined as visiting faculty of Microbiology at Kuchaman College, Rajasthan, India. Prior to his PhD, Dr. Ghosh worked as Research Fellow at the Biological Center, University of Gröningen, The Netherlands (2005). Thereafter, he worked as a Research Fellow at the Centre of Plant Molecular Biology, Tübingen University, Germany (2005-2008) where he secured his Biologie-Diplomarbeit (2005-2006) and consecutively at the Technical University Munich, Germany (2008 to 2010). Dr. Ghosh completed his Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from Garware College, Pune, India in 1999 and subsequently his Master’s degree in Zoology at Pune University in 2001. Dr. Ghosh works on diverse fields ranging from plant biology to microbial diversity (bacteria and fungus). Recently, since 1^st January, 2024, Dr. Ghosh has been awarded with the South African National Research Foundation (NRF)- C3 scientist rating.

Dr.Teroj A. Mohammed PhD is currently working as a microbiologist at the Basic Science Department, College of Dentistry, University of Duhok and she is a Ph.D. candidate for medical microbiology.Teroj research includes isolation, identification, and taxonomic analysis of Microbiological organisms, emphasizing those that are Zoonotic and have an impact on human health, as well as special interest on fungi that produce biologically active compound . Her most recent attraction is for fungus consevation and biodiversity. She is a member of the American Society for Microbiology, the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Collaborator Network, and the Iraqi Mycologists newtwork . She has published more than 13 research paper journals, focusing on Microbe's human health effect and Fungal bibliography