Albert Torzilli, Ph.D

Dr. Torzilli is the Graduate Program Director for the Environmental Science & Public Policy Department. Dr. Torzilli uses molecular and biochemical methods to study the diversity and role of salt-marsh fungi, mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi, and fungi of the human gut. His research projects include the molecular characterization of fungal communities associated with: detritus processing of salt marsh plants; roots of red maple in freshwater wetlands; roots of the invasive plant, Lespedeza, vs. native switch grass; and the human gut in relation to disease. Courses taught by Dr. Torzilli include Fungi and Ecosystems, Mycology, and Plant Biology.

Torzilli, A.P. and G. Andrykovitch. 1986. Degradation of Spartina lignocellulose by individual and mixed cultures of salt marsh fungi. Canadian Journal of Botany. 64:2211-2215

Torzilli, A. P. and J. D. Isbister 1994. Comparison of coal-solubilizing agents from bacteria and fungi. Biodegradation, 5:55-62.

Toth-Allen, J., A. P. Torzilli, and J.D. Isbister. 1994. Analysis of low-molecular mass products from biosolubilized coal. FEMS Microbiology Letters 116: 283-286

Torzilli, A. P. And J. D. Lawrey. 1995. Lichen metabolites inhibit cell wall-degrading enzymes produced by the lichen parasite Nectria parmeliae. Mycologia, 87:816-4362.

Torzilli, A. P. 1997. Tolerance to high temperature and salt stress by a salt marsh isolate of Aureobasidium pullulans. Mycologia, 89: 786-792.

Torzilli, A. P., P.A. Mikelson, and J.D. Lawrey. 1999. Physiological effect of lichen secondary metabolites on the lichen parasite Marchandiomyces corallines. Lichenologist 31:307-314

Lawrey, J.D., A.P. Torzilli and V. Chandhoke. 1999. Destruction of lichen chemical defenses by a fungal pathogen. American Journal of Botany 86: 184-189

Managbanag, J.R. and A. P. Torzilli. 2002. An analysis of trehalose, glycerol, and mannitol accumulation during heat and salt stress in a salt marsh isolate of Aureobasisium pullulans. Mycologia 94: 384-391.

Torzilli, A. P., S. Balakrishna, K. O’Donnell, and J. Lawrey. 2002 The degradative activity of a lichenicolous Fusarium sp. compared to entomogenous species. Mycological Research 106:1204-1210.

Torzilli, A. P., M. Sikaroodi, D. Chalkley, and P. M. Gillevet. 2006. A comparison of fungal communities from four salt-marsh plants using automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA). Mycologia 98: 690-698.

Gillevet, P. M., M. Sikaroodi, and A. P. Torzilli. 2009. Analyzing salt-marsh fungal diversity: comparing ARISA fingerprinting with clone sequencing and pyrosequencing. Fungal Ecology 2: 160-167.

AREAS OF SCIENTIFIC INTEREST:

  • Molecular Fungal Ecology
  • Fungal Physiology & Biochemistry

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