Matteo Garbelotto’s research focuses on uncovering the mechanisms behind invasions by exotic forest pathogens. His lab uses molecular tools to understand pathogen biology, ecology, and epidemiology. Current projects include work on Sudden Oak Death, Phytophthora cinnamomi, and Pine Pitch Canker in California, as well as Cypress Canker and Heterobasidion invasions in Europe. Garbelotto’s group uses both beneficial and pathogenic fungi as model systems to study isolation by distance, island biogeography, and community structure in relation to habitat size and age. Ongoing projects involve Central American mangroves, Matsutake mushrooms worldwide, and truffles in Europe. His lab is engaged in documenting biodiversity and supporting natural resource conservation. Major projects include barcoding the Venice Fungal Herbarium and the BIOCODE (Fungi) initiative on the island of Moorea. The group also applies population genetics and phylogeographic approaches to understand how genetic diversity is structured—and should be maintained—within species. Garbelotto’s laboratory leads efforts to test the efficacy, sensitivity, and reliability of new diagnostic tools for detecting and studying forest diseases. The team is also involved in genomic research on Phytophthora ramorum and Heterobasidion irregularis (formerly H. annosum). His research evaluates the efficacy and persistence of direct chemical controls for forest diseases, with a particular focus on phosphonates due to their minimal environmental impact. The lab also investigates how horticultural practices (e.g., pruning, composting) and silvicultural approaches (e.g., thinning) influence disease epidemiology and effects. Additionally, they study potential natural resistance or tolerance to Sudden Oak Death in oaks, tanoaks, and California bay laurel. Garbelotto’s team examines relationships between the airspora and infections caused by root rot organisms, the effects of stump creation on root rots, and the role of insects in vectoring vascular diseases such as blackstain root disease.