2015 - Faculty of Science Educational Leadership Award 2014 - University of Calgary Teaching Excellence Award (Full-time faculty) 2014 - Student’s Union Teaching Excellence Award 2008 - Student's Union Teaching Excellence Award (Honourable mention) 2005 - Faculty of Science Excellence in Teaching Award

Plant roots play host to a wide diversity of fungi. We have a good understanding of the ecological roles of a few root-inhabiting fungi: some are pathogens and others, such as mycorrhizal fungi, are mutualists that benefit host plants (e.g. through increased uptake of soil nutrients). However, the ecological roles of many other root-inhabiting fungi are unexplained. I am researching one such group of fungi, known as the "dark septate endophytes" (DSE), which inhabit plant roots without causing symptoms of disease in their hosts and can have positive effects on their hosts, but the basis for such benefit is unknown. One intriguing possibility is that DSE may increase host defenses against pathogens.

Addy, H.D., M.M. Piercey and R.S. Currah. 2005. Microfungal endophytes in roots. Can. J. Bot. 83:1-13. Stockey, R.A., G. W. Rothwell, H.D. Addy and R. S. Currah. 2001. Mycorrhizal association of the extinct conifer Metasequoia milleri. Mycol. Res. 105(2): 202-205. Addy, H.D., S. Hambleton and R.S. Currah. 2000. Distribution and molecular characterization of the root endophyte Phialocephala fortinii along an environmental gradient in the boreal forest of Alberta. Mycol. Res. 104(10): 1213-1221