I am an evolutionary ecologist and mycologist interested in the diversity, ecological roles, and evolutionary origins of fungal symbionts of plants. I focus on fungal endophytes -- one of the most ubiquitous but least-studied groups of symbionts on earth. I completed my B.S. in Biology at Duke  in 1995 and my Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Arizona in 2002. Following an NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in Microbial Biology at Duke (2003-2004), I joined the faculty in Plant Pathology and Microbiology/Plant Sciences at the UA in 2005. Together, my students and I address diverse questions in fungal biology in plant communities ranging from tropical forests to Arctic tundra. We're united by our interest in organismal biology, ecology, evolution, and phylogenetics. In addition to my research, I enjoy teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, collaborating with local teachers to conduct an active outreach program, and serving as Curator of the Robert L. Gilbertson Mycological Herbarium (ARIZ). More information on my work and research group can be found at http://www.arnoldlab.net.