Hodge, Kathie Therese
Associate Professor of Mycolog
I am a systematic mycologist. My focus is on teaching and learning about the classification, evolution, and characterization of fungi. Fungi are a particularly poorly known group, with only about 5% of species formally described. My focus is in fungal biodiversity, especially of species that are pathogens of insects. I use molecular and morphological approaches to discover their relationships, devise classification systems, and understand factors that have driven their evolution. I direct the Cornell Plant Pathology Herbarium (CUP), a world-class collection that documents the earth`s diversity of fungi and plant disease organisms. I teach undergraduate and graduate classes on fungi.
research
research and scholarship focus
My research program focuses on the taxonomy and classification of fungi, particularly those that are associated with insects. I use molecular biology and microscopic methods to investigate fungal relationships. I develop basic knowledge on the biodiversity of fungi, describing new species and genera, and construct resources to aid in their identification.
primary investigator of
co investigator of
research areas
- agroforestry | collaborative research area (CALS)
- biodiversity | collaborative research area (CALS)
- biological control | collaborative research area (CALS)
- ecology | collaborative research area (CALS)
- evolution | collaborative research area (CALS)
- forest management | collaborative research area (CALS)
- insects | collaborative research area (CALS)
- integrated pest management | collaborative research area (CALS)
- microbiology | collaborative research area (CALS)
- pathogens | collaborative research area (CALS)
- pest management | collaborative research area (CALS)
- plant pathology | collaborative research area (CALS)
submitted impact statement
- The Cornell Mushroom Blog | 2007 Impact statement
- Identification of mushrooms in human and animal poisonings | 2006 Impact statement
- An issue of clear communication: the names of fungi | 2005 Impact statement
- Access to biodiversity information: the Cornell plant pathology herbarium | 2004 Impact statement
- The identification and systematics of fungi that kill scale insects and whiteflies | 2004 Impact statement
- Fungi that kill whiteflies: how many species? | 2004 Impact statement
affiliations
head of
- Cornell Plant Pathology Herbarium | museum collection
faculty appointment in
- Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology (PPPMB) | Cornell department
member of graduate field
- Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology | graduate field
teaching
teaching focus
I teach undergraduate and graduate classes about fungi. My undergraduate classes include one field class that teaches mushrooms identification skills, and one lecture/laboratory classes that gives a broad overview of fungal classification and ecology. A graduate-level class promotes critical thinking skills through critique of cutting edge scientific articles on fungi.
teaches
- PLPA 3190 - Mushrooms of Field and Forest (W 01:25:PM-04:25:PM) | fall 2009 class
- PLPA 4970 - Independent Study in Plant Pathology & Plant-Microbe Biology (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- PLPA 4980 - Undergraduate Teaching Experience (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- PLPA 4990 - Undergraduate Research (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- PLPA 7980 - Graduate Teaching Experience (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- PLPA 7990 - Graduate-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- PLPA 8900 - Master's-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- PLPA 9900 - Doctoral-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | fall 2009 class
- PLPA 3290 - Medical and Veterinary Mycology (TR 10:10:AM-11:00:AM) | spring 2009 class
- PLPA 4990 - Undergraduate Research (TBA -) | spring 2009 class
- PLPA 6490 - Special Topics Series - Fungal Biology (M 11:15:AM-12:05:PM) | spring 2009 class
- PLPA 7980 - Graduate Teaching Experience (TBA -) | spring 2009 class
- PLPA 7990 - Graduate-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | spring 2009 class
- PLPA 8900 - Master's-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | spring 2009 class
- PLPA 9900 - Doctoral-Level Thesis Research (TBA -) | spring 2009 class
- VETMI 3290 - Medical and Veterinary Mycology (TR 10:10:AM-11:00:AM) | spring 2009 class
- PLPA 3190 - Mushrooms of Field and Forest (W 01:25:PM-04:25:PM) | fall 2008 class
service
outreach focus
I aim to demystify fungi, including molds and mushrooms, and promote public appreciation of their key roles in the environment. I founded the successful Cornell Mushroom Blog to answer public demand for information about fungi, while also involving my students in outreach through writing about science for a general audience.
current professional activities
- Mushroom Cultivation Club (2006–) co-leader
- Curriculum committee, Dept. of Plant Pathology
background
educational background
- Ph.D. Cornell University, 1998
- M.S. Cornell University, 1993
- B.Sc. University of Toronto, 1990
professional background
- Assistant Professor of Mycology, Cornell University, Department of Plant Pathology and L.H. Bailey Hortorium, 1999-present
- NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow, Oregon State University, 1998-1999
awards and distinctions
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada postdoctoral fellowship, 1998-99.
- President’s Council of Cornell Women Fellowship, 1997
- Mycological Society of America Graduate Fellowship, 1996
featured in
- 'Evil' fungi are beauteous, beneficial, says mycologist | Cornell Chronicle feature
- BOOM and Faculty Innovation in Teaching set for February and March | Cornell Chronicle feature
- Kent Loeffler's photographs of tiny fungi tower in exhibit 'Miniature Landscapes' | Cornell Chronicle feature
publications
linked articles
- Virtual Library: Mycology | web educational resource
Keywords: aschersonia, ascomycetes, clavicipitaceae, entomopathogenic fungi, entomophthorales, evolution, fungi, hypocrella, insect pathogens, molds, mushrooms, mycology, phylogenetics, systematics, taxonomy