Ari Jumpponen

Jumpponen's research interests focus on fungal and general microbial communities and their role in ecological processes. His laboratory utilizes molecular tools to investigate fungal and bacterial communities in diverse systems, including prairie soils, glacier forefronts, as well as anthropogenic and urban environments. Jumpponen's research aims to elucidate how these microbial communities assemble and respond to environmental conditions and environmental change, including climate change, drought, and urbanization. Additionally, his work explores the interactions between soil-inhabiting fungi and their plant hosts, including mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi, and how these host interactions may contribute to nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning.