Mark Vicari

About

Mark Vicari joins the Department of Biology as an assistant professor. His research focus has been on the role of microbes as mediators of interactions between plants and herbivores. He completed a bachelor’s degree in biology at Trent University, and an MSc at York under the supervision of Professor Dawn Bazely. At York, he studied the impact of grazing by feral sheep on the symbiosis between grasses and asymptomatic, toxin-producing fungi (endophytes) in the St. Kilda Archipelago of Scotland.

Vicari was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue a PhD at Lancaster University in England, where he studied the impact of mycorrhizal (below-ground) fungi on the relationship between plants, herbivores and foliar (above-ground) endophytes. Following his PhD, Vicari returned to York as a sessional instructor and taught courses in ecology and evolution for the Biology and Geography departments and the Natural Science Division. He continues to collaborate on research projects with Bazely.

Vicari's current research interests include the effects of herbivore saliva on the plant microbiome. He looks forward to integrating citizen science projects with a conservation focus into ecology courses in the Biology Department. In particular, he aims to explore ways – through public outreach – to increase awareness of, and action against, the biodiversity crisis – one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Research Areas