February 2026 AMS virtual seminar: Sydney I. Glassman - wildfires and fungal succession!
- ausmycsoc
- Feb 17
- 1 min read
We invite you to attend our upcoming AMS virtual seminar. This month, we're delighted to feature Sydney I. Glassman, an Associate Professor of Microbiology and Plant Pathology at the University of California, Riverside, USA.
Some Like It Hot: Impact of Fires on Microbial Succession and Traits
A/Prof Sydney I. Glassman
Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology,
University of California, Riverside, USA
Thursday, 26 February 2026
10 am (AEST) / 12 pm (NZST)
Summary
This research examines the impacts of natural wildfires and experimental "pyrocosms" on soil fungal biomass, richness, and succession in various arid ecosystems including deserts, grasslands, and shrublands. Sydney uses multiple methods including bioassays, genomics, and transcriptomics to explore the traits of pyrophilous fungi, or fungi that were rare or absent pre-fire, and increase massively in abundance post-fire, and determine how they are able to survive or thrive post-fire.
About Sydney
"My lab examines microbial ecology including arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal fungi, soil bacteria, and fungi. I am particularly interested in how disturbances such as wildfires impact soil fungal and bacterial microbial succession and traits. I received my B.A. in Biology at the University of Pennsylvania, where I also received a Masters of Environmental Studies. I completed my Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Policy, & Management at UC Berkeley with Prof. Tom Bruns. I completed my post-doc on microbial contribution to leaf litter decomposition with Prof. Jennifer Martiny at UC Irvine. I have been a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology at UC Riverside since 2018 and was tenured in 2024."
Check out Sydney's socials!
The article discusses fascinating research on fungal dynamics after wildfires, suggesting that the ecosystem's response is complex. The role of pyrophilous fungi is particularly intriguing because it represents a shift in community structure that could inform future ecological strategies. Understanding how these organisms thrive or adapt post-fire could lead to insights into resilience mechanisms in nature. The Pokies https://www.roaringmegs.co.nz/ concept in ecological research could help elucidate broader patterns of recovery and adaptation following disturbances.
The case report highlights an interesting relationship between seemingly unrelated body areas. When addressing client K's low back pain, the focus shifted towards her ankle's fascial adhesion, illustrating how interconnected our physical structures are. The impact of the Royal Reels www.nzartmonthly.co.nz therapy on her condition emphasizes the necessity of a holistic view in remedial treatments, as pain can often stem from unexpected sources.