Forest Resources and Conservation

Dr. Jiri Hulcr, Assistant Professor

Jiri joined the School in 2012 as our resident Forest Entomologist.

“I study the ambrosia symbiotic complex – beetles, fungi, bacteria. I address the most fundamental questions about the evolutionary origin of this fungus-farming symbiosis, and the chemistry that makes it function, but also how the tree-killing symbiosis is impacting trees, forests, and people.”

Current Projects:

– I have developed a set of molecular approaches to explore the communities of ambrosia fungi and bacteria using the next generation sequencing.
– I maintain a cryo-preserved collection of ambrosia beetles, their fungal and bacterial symbionts, and other ecologically or phylogenetically relevant fungi (over 100,000 samples).
– Developing on-line interactive resources for wood boring beetles: www.ambrosiasymbiosis.org/resources
– I provide forest pest diagnostics and management recommendations: http://sfrc.ufl.edu/forestinsects/index.shtml
– Emerging Threats to Forest Research Team

Degrees:
PhD, Michigan State University, 2009
PhD, University of South Bohemia, Czech Republic, 2008