Margaret Wilch

I graduated with BSS in Biology from Cornell College in 1979 and completed a MS in General Biology for the University of Arizona in 1999. I have taught high school biology for 19 years, most recently with a focus on biotechnology, and have led an independent research program for high school students for the last 16 years. I have been very fortunate to share the process of research with many talented students  whose work has ranged from mechanical engineering to archeology to molecular genetics and ecology.  I find ecology and evolutionary biology most compelling and am fascinated by multi-trophic interactions, including bacterial symbionts in insects and fungal symbionts in plants. Recently I completed a small research project searching for bacterial symbionts in honey-pot ants, Myrmecocystus mendax. Through this Dimensions of Biodiversity award I will collaborate with the Arnold lab to share the science of fungal symbioses with students in my classes and beyond.