About

Dr. Liz Koziol is a plant–microbe ecologist dedicated to understanding how beneficial fungi shape plant communities, ecosystem function, and sustainable land management. For more than two decades, her research has focused on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)—the microscopic fungal partners that form symbiotic relationships with the roots of most terrestrial plants.

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As an Assistant Research Professor at the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research at the University of Kansas, Liz leads research investigating how native AMF can be conserved, propagated, and restored to improve ecosystem recovery and agricultural sustainability. Her work combines field ecology, greenhouse experimentation, molecular approaches, and applied biotechnology to answer practical questions about how fungi can be effectively integrated into restoration and land management.

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Building the Science of Fungal Restoration

A central focus of Liz's research is overcoming the barriers that limit the use of native fungi in restoration. This includes understanding which fungi provide the greatest ecological benefits, determining how to effectively produce and apply native inoculum, and developing evidence-based approaches that allow practitioners to restore fungal communities at meaningful scales.

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Her research has demonstrated that native AMF can increase plant diversity, improve soil function, and support ecosystem recovery following disturbance. By connecting ecological discovery with practical implementation, her work aims to transform fungal restoration from an experimental approach into a standard conservation practice.