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About

Liz, a remarkable individual, effortlessly wears multiple hats as a researcher, museum curator, and small business owner, with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi being the unifying thread that ties her diverse roles together. Dr. Liz Koziol's exceptional expertise, unwavering dedication, and pioneering initiatives in the realm of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi have solidified her position as a trailblazer in the field.


As an assistant research professor at the University of Kansas within the esteemed Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research, Liz dedicates herself entirely to research and service. Since 2016, her groundbreaking work at KBS has revolved around investigating the applications of mycorrhizal fungi in various contexts. Notably, she has focused on its potential in native ecosystem restoration. Liz has forged partnerships with the Land Institute to explore its role in perennial agriculture. Additionally, Liz has collaborated with local farms, such as Juniper Hill Farms and Kaw Valley Cannabis in Lawrence, KS, to delve into the applications of mycorrhizal fungi in organic agriculture.

Building on her research endeavors, Liz serves as an associate curator of the renowned International Collection of (Vesicular) Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (INVAM) collection at the University of Kansas. This prestigious collection stands as the world's largest, boasting over 1,000 unique isolates representing more than 100 species of fungi. Liz's curatorship at INVAM reflects her profound expertise and dedication to advancing our understanding of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. As an associate curator, Liz further enhances her profound contributions to the field by preserving and expanding this invaluable resource, ensuring its accessibility to researchers and enthusiasts worldwide.

 

Liz also spearheads MycoBloom LLC, a pioneering biotechnology company. MycoBloom specializes in providing U.S. native isolates of mycorrhizal fungi for various applications, ranging from home gardening and agriculture to landscaping and ecosystem restoration. Emphasizing regional specificity, MycoBloom offers meticulously curated mixtures of fungi tailored to mixedgrass prairie, tallgrass prairie, and deciduous forest ecosystems. Through her venture, Liz empowers individuals and organizations to harness the power of mycorrhizal fungi for sustainable and thriving environments.

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Education

2016

Indiana University

Ph. D. Ecology & Evolution

2007

Indiana University

B.S Biology

Awards, Scholarships and Grants

As of May 2023, Liz has been awarded more than $890,000 to pursue her research from NSF, USDA, and many other funding agencies both internal and external to universities. 

  • 2023 Ecological Society of America, Registration Grant, $243

  • 2022-2023 SPRINT Supplement, NSF PFI, $49,999

  • 2021 University of Kansas Proposal Preparation Fund, $3951

  • 2020-2023 NSF Partnership for Innovation, $250,000

  • 2020-2022 USDA NIFA Post-Doctoral Fellowship, $165,000, declined

  • 2020 University of Kansas Proposal Preparation Fund, $2798

  • 2018-2019 USDA I-Fast/I-Corps Entrepreneurship Training, $50,000

  • 2016-2020 Perennial Agriculture Project Post-doctoral Fellowship $237,925

  • 2016 Alfred Mower Fellowship, $1,500

  • 2016 Floyd Plant and Fungal Biology Summer Fellowship, declined, $2234

  • 2015-2016 USDA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Predoctoral Fellowship, $79,000  

  • 2014 & 2012 Charles B. Heiser Fellow $2,000

  • 2013 Indiana University Biology Department Research Fellowship, $12,000

  • 2013 Indiana University Sustainability Research Development Grant $3,500

  • 2011-2016 College of Arts and Sciences Fee Scholarships $26,429

  • 2012-2015 Floyd Plant and Fungal Biology Summer Fellow $7,936

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