Cardiff University professor recognised for outstanding research in ecology

Professor Lynne Boddy of Cardiff University School of Biosciences has received the prestigious Marsh Award for Ecology in recognition of her outstanding research in this field.

Supported by the Marsh Christian Trust and administered by the British Ecological Society, the Marsh Award for Ecology is awarded for an outstanding recent discovery or development which has had a significant impact on the development of the science of ecology, or its application.

Professor Boddy is one of the world’s leading fungal ecologist with a particular interest in how fungal communities function and develop in fallen wood and standing trees. She has pioneered research in this area and her ground-breaking work on cord-forming basidiomycetes has revealed the key roles that these fungi play in the function of the woodland ecosystem.

Over the course of her career Professor Boddy has received several international honours, including an outstanding achievement award by European Mycological Society, honorary membership of Mycological Society of America, Miller visiting Professorship at Berkeley. She has trained more than 40 PhD students, written over 260 scientific papers, and her 1988 book – Fungal Decomposition of Wood: Its Biology and Ecology – remains the authoritative book on the subject

On being awarded the Marsh Award Professor Boddy said

“I am delighted to receive this award. It highlights the importance of research into fungi, whose roles are at least as crucial as those of macro-organisms to the ecosystems of our planet.”

Professor Jim Murray, Head of the School of Biosciences, added

“On behalf of the School of Biosciences, I would like to extend my congratulations to Professor Boddy on this fantastic achievement. The award is very much deserved, recognising the enormous contribution Professor Boddy has made to the important field of ecology of decomposer fungi over the course of her career.”

Another colleague, Dr Hefin Jones of Cardiff University, said: “Anyone who knows, or indeed has encountered, Professor Boddy will be aware that she wastes no opportunity to expound to all why planet Earth and human life would founder without fungi.”

The Awards Ceremony will take place on Tuesday 13 December 2016 at the BES Annual Meeting in Liverpool.