Robert Lücking
He was introduced to lichenology through his interest in photography, a hobby that led him to explore tropical foliicolous lichens during his study year abroad in Costa Rica.[15] Early in his career, from 1993 to 2000, Lücking compiled 250 issues of an exsiccata series (sets of dried and labelled herbarium specimens) titled Lichenes foliicoli exsiccati.[16] Lücking was the lead author of a 2020 study that documented the discovery and potential extinction of a new species of lichen, Cora timucua, identified through DNA analysis of museum specimens collected in Florida between 1885 and 1985.The study demonstrated the significance of digitised museum collections in uncovering previously misidentified species and emphasises the need to conserve remaining habitats to protect undiscovered or poorly understood lichen diversity.[20] Reflecting on the developments in lichenology over the past two decades in a 2021 interview, Lücking highlighted the significant impact of molecular phylogenetics, which has reshaped the understanding of evolutionary relationships and species boundaries within the field.[3] Lücking also offered advice to emerging lichenologists, emphasising the importance of a solid foundation in taxonomy, proficiency in bioinformatics, and the necessity of a critical and inquisitive mindset.He encouraged young scientists to engage deeply with their research questions and to communicate their findings compellingly, underscoring the value of sharing knowledge and data within the scientific community.