Chicago Botanic Garden

for immediate release

Chicago Botanic Garden Names
Vice President, Science and Academic Programs

Dr. Greg Mueller joins staff to lead plant conservation research
and education programs

 

Media Only:
Gloria Ciaccio
(847) 835-6819
gciaccio@chicagobotanic.org

GLENCOE, Ill. (Nov. 3, 2008) — The Chicago Botanic Garden announced that Dr. Gregory Mueller has been named Vice President, Science and Academic Programs. Dr. Mueller will join the Garden in January 2009.

As Vice President, Science and Academic Programs, Dr. Mueller will lead the development of academic programs of the Chicago Botanic Garden, including plant science conservation and research; graduate student training programs; the Lenhardt Library and the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Botanic Garden.

Dr. Mueller will play a critical role in guiding the expansion of the Garden plant science and conservation efforts, as the Garden grows in its role as an international center for research in rare and endangered plant biology, ecological restoration, horticultural ecology and soil science.

Dr. Mueller has served as the President of the Mycological Society of America and as International Coordinator for Fungal Programs at the Costa Rican National Biodiversity Institute. He is a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Species Survival Commission, Fungal Specialist Group; and the Science Advisory Council for the Illinois Chapter of the Nature Conservancy. He also serves as Associate Chair and Lecturer, Committee on Evolutionary Biology at the University of Chicago; and as Adjunct Professor, Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Dr. Mueller’s research focuses on the biology and ecology of fungi, especially mushrooms, providing vital information for the management and conservation of temperate and tropical forests, particularly in the Chicago region, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and China. He has authored six books and nearly 100 journal articles.

Dr. Mueller worked for more than 23 years at the Field Museum, most recently as the Curator of Mycology in the Department of Botany. He was Chair of the Field Museum’s Department of Botany from 1996 to 2005, during which time the Department renovated its collections facilities, added lab and research space, and significantly increased the size of its curatorial and professional staff.

“My work will focus on expanding an already outstanding science program that will continue to address the critical needs of the 21st century. I would like to build capacity, make connections with other organizations and botanic gardens engaged in similar work and enhance people’s ability to study the world around them,” Mueller said.

“Greg’s many years of work with the Field Museum, the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of Chicago and Chicago Wilderness offers the Chicago Botanic Garden a unique opportunity to combine the complementary strengths of each organization to solve the complex issues facing the plant life of the Chicago area, the nation, and the world. Bringing these organizations together in a unified effort to enhance knowledge and understanding of plant life holds the promise of making Chicago an international center of plant conservation biology and education,” said Sophia Siskel, president and CEO of the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Mueller holds B. A. and M. S. degrees in Botany from Southern Illinois University and a Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Tennessee.

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Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $15; free for members. On Tuesdays, senior citizens age 62 and older pay just $7 for parking. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden's Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. The Garden is also breaking new ground in urban horticulture and jobs training through a 15-acre project in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago called Windy City Harvest. The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.