Raquel Pino Bodas

I am a mycologist specialized on lichen forming fungi systematics, taxonomy and evolution and I use the ecologically important and worldwide distributed family Cladoniaceae as a model system. I am interested in understanding the origin of the lichen symbiosis from an evolutionary and ecological point of view. I have worked towards the reconstruction of the largest phylogeny of the family and in the taxonomy and diversity of Cladonia, the largest genus in the family. Throughout my research career I have placed special interest in the problem of species delimitation within the genus Cladonia. Aside from my work on Cladoniaceae, I have also devoted part of my career to the study of lichenicolous fungi, a fascinating group of fungi that grow on lichens either as parasites, commensals or saprophytes.