Inaugural Professorial Lecture -Professor David Orlovich

Exploring the Fungal Underworld
About Professor David Orlovich's research:

David is a mycologist and botanist with expertise in fungal cell biology, molecular ecology, plant and fungal evolution, taxonomy and systematics.

He has a Bachelor of Science and PhD from the University of New South Wales, and conducted postdoctoral research at the Universities of Melbourne, Queensland and New South Wales before coming to New Zealand and Otago.

He currently leads a Marsden-funded study to understand the genetic basis for the evolution of truffle-like fungi.

Other current research focuses on discovering and describing new species of native mushrooms.

David curates the fungal and slime mould collections in the Otago Regional Herbarium and adds to this collection through the annual New Zealand Fungal Foray.

David shares his passion for plants and fungi through teaching at all levels.

He has been President of the Fungal Network of New Zealand since 2004 and the Head of the Department of Botany since 2017.

This lecture will be followed with light refreshments, tea, coffee and juice.