Currently the IAL is granting the following awards –
IAL Awards
The Acharius Medal is presented in recognition to the life work of distinguished lichenologists. It was established in 1992, awarding one to multiple awards every two years.
| 2021 | Ninth International Lichenological Symposium IAL9, Bonito, Brazil (virtual) |
| Jørgensen, Per Magnus, University of Bergen, Bergen (Norway) References | |
| Lawrey, James D., George Mason University, Fairfax (Virginia, U.S.A.) References | |
| 2018 | 11th International Mycological Congress IMC11, San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Weber, William A., University of Colorado Museum of Natural History, Boulder (USA) References | |
| 2016 | Eighth International Lichenological Symposium IAL8, Helsinki, Finland |
| Green, Thomas George Allan, University of Waikato, Hamilton (New Zealand) References | |
| Hafellner, Josef, Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Graz (Austria) References | |
| McCune, Bruce, University of Montana, Missoula (USA) References | |
| 2014 | 10th International Mycological Congress IMC10, Bangkok, Thailand |
| Crittenden, Peter, University of Nottingham, Nottingham (U.K.) References | |
| Nimis, Pier-Luigi, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Trieste (Italy) References | |
| 2012 | Seventh International Lichenological Symposium IAL7, Bangkok, Thailand |
| Crespo, Ana, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid (Spain) References | |
| Tibell, Leif, Uppsala University, Uppsala (Sweden) References | |
| 2010 | Ninth International Mycological Congress IMC9, Edinburgh, U.K. |
| Coppins, Brian J., The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh (U.K.) References | |
| Nash III, Thomas Hawkes, Arizona State University, Tempe (USA) References | |
| 2008 | Sixth International Lichenological Symposium IAL6, Asilomar, USA |
| Galloway, David, Landcare Research, Dunedin (New Zealand) References | |
| Hertel, Hannes, Botanische Staatssammlung München, München (Germany) References | |
| Honegger, Rosmarie, University of Zürich, Zürich (Switzerland) References | |
| 2006 | Eighth International Mycological Congress IMC8, Cairns, Australia |
| Seaward, Mark R. D., University of Bradford, Bradford (U.K.) References | |
| 2004 | Fifth International Lichenological Symposium IAL5, Tartu, Estonia |
| Elix, John A. [Jack], Australian National University, Canberra (Australia) References | |
| Kappen, Ludger, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Kiel (Germany) References | |
| Letrouit-Galinou, Marie-Agnès, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris (France) References | |
| 2003 | Forth International Symbiosis Society Congress ISS4, Halifax, Canada |
| Smith, Sir David C., University of Oxford, Oxford (UK) References | |
| 2002 | Seventh International Mycological Congress IMC7, Oslo, Norway |
| Hawksworth, David L., Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid (Spain) References | |
| 2000 | Forth International Lichenological Symposium IAL4, Barcelona, Spain |
| Ahti, Teuvo T., University of Helsinki, Helsinki (Finland) References | |
| Clauzade, Georges A., Ecole maternelle des Hautes-Férailles, Cavaillon (France) References | |
| Golubkova, Nina S., Komarov Botanical Institut, St. Petersburg (Russia) References | |
| 1996 | Third International Lichenological Symposium IAL3, Salzburg, Austria |
| Ahmadjian, Vernon, Clark University, Worcester (USA) References | |
| Huneck, Siegfried, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Germany) References | |
| Leuckert, Christian, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin (Germany) References | |
| 1994 | Fifth International Mycological Congress, IMC5, Vancouver, Canada |
| Brodo, Ernie, Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa (Canada) References | |
| Galun, Margalith, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv (Israel) References | |
| Kurokawa, Syo, Botanic Gardens of Toyama, Toyama (Japan) References | |
| Tschermak-Woess, Elisabeth, Universität Wien, Wien (Austria) References | |
| 1992 | Second International Lichenological Symposium IAL2, Båstad, Sweden |
| Awasthi, Dharani, Lucknow University, Lucknow (India) References | |
| Culberson, Chicita F., Duke University, Durham (USA) References | |
| Culberson, William L., Duke University, Durham (USA) References | |
| Degelius, Gunnar, Göteborgs Universitet, Göteborg (Sweden) References | |
| Henssen, Aino, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg (Germany) References | |
| James, Peter, British Museum of Natural History, London (U.K.) References | |
| Krog, Hildur, Botanical Museum, Oslo (Norway) References | |
| Lange, Otto L., Universität Würzburg, Würzburg (Germany) References | |
| Poelt, Josef, Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Graz (Austria) References | |
| Santesson, Rolf, Botanical Museum, Uppsala (Sweden) References | |
| Thomson, John W., University of Wisconson, Madison (USA) References | |
| Trass, Hans, University of Tartu, Tartu (Estonia) References | |
| Vězda, Antonin, Academiae Scientiarum Cechoslovacae, Brno (Czech Republic) References |
The Dharani Awasthi Award for a prominent young researcher working and living in a low income country, who has completed a Ph.D. within five years prior to the submission deadline.
| 2021 | Ninth International Lichenological Symposium IAL9, Bonito, Brazil (virtual) |
| Joseph, Siljo, Lichenology Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow (India) References between 2015 and 2021 | |
| 2016 | Eighth International Lichenological Symposium IAL8, Helsinki, Finland |
| Mishra, Gaurav Kumar, National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow (India) References between 2011 and 2016 |
The Margalith Galun Award for outstanding student contributions to an IAL meeting.
| 2021 | Ninth International Lichenological Symposium IAL9, Bonito, Brazil (virtual) |
| Best student's poster presentation: Ian D. Medeiros, Duke University, Durham (North Carolina, U.S.A.) Work recognized: Bolivian lecanoroid lichens exhibit photobiont interactions structured by elevation, mycobiont phylogeny, and substrate. | |
| Best student's oral presentation: Antoine Simon, University of Liège, Liège (Belgium) Work recognized: The dual nature of lichens: a transcriptomic approach to understand photomorphism. | |
| 2016 | Eighth International Lichenological Symposium IAL8, Helsinki, Finland |
| Best student's poster presentation: Antoine Simon, University of Liège (Belgium) Work recognized: Extensive mitogenome rearrangement within the Peltigerinae (lichenized Ascomycetes): comparison between Ricasolia amplissima and Peltigera membranacea. | |
| Best student's oral presentation: Veera Tuovinen, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala (Sweden) Work recognized: Visualizing fungal communities in lichens by fluorescent in situ hybridization. | |
| 2012 | Seventh International Lichenological Symposium IAL7, Bangkok, Thailand |
| Best student's poster presentation: Ulla Kaasalainen, University of Helsinki (Finland) Work recognized: Symbiotic cyanobacteria produce a series of hepatoxins in lichens. | |
| Best student's oral presentation: Ede Leppik, University of Tartu (Estonia) Work recognized: Changes in epigeic lichen communities in calcareous grasslands (alvars) due to cessation of traditional land use. |
The Mason Hale Award is granted to recognise excellence in research by young lichenologists for outstanding work resulting from doctoral dissertations or similar studies.
| 2021 | Ninth International Lichenological Symposium IAL9, Bonito, Brazil (virtual) |
| Widhelm, Todd, Field Museum, Chicago (Illinois, U.S.A.) Work recognized: Phylogenomic Systematics of Lichenized Fungi at Multiple Taxonomic Levels. References until 2021 | |
| 2018 | 11th International Mycological Congress IMC11, San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Resl, Philipp, Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Graz (Austria) Work recognized: The Evolution of Substrate Affinity in Trapelioid Lichen-forming Fungi. References until 2018 | |
| 2016 | Eighth International Lichenological Symposium IAL8, Helsinki, Finland |
| Fernández-Mendoza, Fernando, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main (Germany) Work recognized: Genetic diversity and gene flow between Arctic and Antarctic populations of the lichen Cetraria aculeata along the Andes and the Rocky Mountains. References until 2016 | |
| 2014 | 10th International Mycological Congress IMC10, Bangkok, Thailand |
| McDonald, Tami, Duke University, Durham (U.S.A.) Work recognized: Genomic insights into the lichen symbiosis: Cladonia grayi as a model lichen. References until 2014 | |
| 2012 | Seventh International Lichenological Symposium IAL7, Bangkok, Thailand |
| Dal Grande, Francesco, Eidgenössische Forschungsanstalt WSL, Birmensdorf (Switzerland) Work recognized: Phylogeny and co-phylogeography of a photobiont-mediated guild in the lichen family Lobariaceae. References until 2012 | |
| 2010 | Ninth International Mycological Congress IMC9, Edinburgh, U.K. |
| Joneson, Suzanne, Duke University, Durham (USA) Work recognized: The Molecular Biology of Lichen Symbiosis and Development References until 2010 | |
| 2008 | Sixth International Lichenological Symposium IAL6, Asilomar, USA |
| Ertz, Damien, National Botanical Garden of Belgium, Meise (Belgium) Work recognized: Morphological, molecular and ecogeographical studies in the family Roccellaceae, with emphasis on Opegrapha and Plectocarpon (lichenized and lichenicolous species). References until 2008 | |
| 2006 | Eighth International Mycological Congress IMC8, Cairns, Australia |
| Werth, Silke, Eidgenössische Forschungsanstalt WSL, Birmensdorf (Switzerland) Work recognized: Dispersal and persistence of an epiphytic lichen in a dynamic pasture-woodland landscape. References until 2006 | |
| 2004 | Fifth International Lichenological Symposium IAL5, Tartu, Estonia |
| Walser, Jean-Claude, Eidgenössische Forschungsanstalt WSL, Birmensdorf (Switzerland) Work recognized: Microsatellites as new markers to investigate population genetic processes in lichens using Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. as a model species. References until 2004 | |
| 2003 | Forth International Symbiosis Society Congress ISS4, Halifax, Canada |
| Beck, Andreas, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München (Germany) Work recognized: Selektivität der Symbionten schwermetalltoleranter Flechten. References until 2003 | |
| 2002 | Seventh International Mycological Congress IMC7, Oslo, Norway |
| Kroken, Scott, University of California, Berkeley (USA) Work recognized: Cryptic speciation and the role of sex in the lichenized fungus Letharia. References until 2002 | |
| 2000 | Forth International Lichenological Symposium IAL4, Barcelona, Spain |
| Miadlikowska, Jolanta M., University of Gdansk, Gdansk (Poland) Work recognized: Revision of the genus Peltigera (Peltigerineae, Ascomycota) in Poland based on a world-wide phylogenetic synthesis of morphological, chemical and molecular data. References until 2000 | |
| 1996 | Third International Lichenological Symposium IAL3, Salzburg, Austria |
| Lücking, Robert, Universität Ulm, Ulm (Germany) Work recognized: Foliicolous lichens and their microhabitat preferences in a tropical rain forest in Costa Rica. References until 1996 | |
| 1994 | Fifth International Mycological Congress IMC5, Vancouver, Canada |
| Valladares Ros, Fernando, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Spain) Work recognized: Estructura y propiedades fisicas del talo liquenico en la familia Umbilicariaceae. References until 1994 | |
| 1992 | Second International Lichenological Symposium IAL2, Båstad, Sweden |
| Triebel, Dagmar, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München (Germany) Work recognized: Lecideicole Ascomyceten. Eine Revision der obligat lichenicolen Ascomyceten auf lecideoiden Flechten. References until 1992 |
The Aino Henssen Award for a prominent researcher early in the career, who has completed a Ph.D. within five years prior to the submission deadline.
| 2021 | Ninth International Lichenological Symposium IAL9, Bonito, Brazil (virtual) |
| Nelsen, Matthew P., Field Museum, Chicago (Illinois, U.S.A.) References between 2015 and 2021 | |
| 2016 | Eighth International Lichenological Symposium IAL8, Helsinki, Finland |
| Spribille, Toby, Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Graz (Austria) References between 2011 and 2016 |
On the occasion of the 5th International Congress of Lichenology held in Tartu (Estonia) in August 2004, the International Association for Lichenology (IAL) introduced and presented the Sylvia Sharnoff Education Award. The Award is dedicated to the memory of Sylvia Duran Sharnoff Sylvia Duran Sharnoff, a remarkable lichen photographer, who conceived of the idea of a colour-illustrated, popularized but scientifically accurate treatment of the lichens of North America and, with her husband, Stephen Sharnoff, produced almost 1000 superb lichen photographs for the book.
The award will be given at each meeting of the IAL to an outstanding educational web page devoted to lichens, prepared by a student or school at pre-university, university or graduate level (in any language).
Any aspect of lichen biology used in an educational program would be acceptable.
The main evaluation criteria will be: aesthetic appeal, clarity, educational impact; lichenological accuracy, useful links, and practicality for the targeted age group.
Recipients of the Sylvia Sharnoff Award will receive an award to be determined by the IAL Council, and it will be publicized and linked on the IAL web page.
| 2012 | Seventh International Lichenological Symposium IAL7, Bangkok, Thailand |
| Mohammad Sohrabi, Botanical Museum (Mycology), University of Helsinki, Helsinki (Finland) Department of Biotechnology, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Tehran (Iran) | |
| 2008 | Sixth International Lichenological Symposium IAL 6, Asilomar, USA |
| Adriano Spielmann, Instituto de Botânica do Estado de São Paulo, São Paul (Brasil) | |
| 2004 | Fifth International Lichenological Symposium IAL5, Tartu, Estonia |
| Class IIId, Scuola Media Statale L. Trombini, Tirano (Italy) |