Rate My Professor Matthew Smith

Matthew E. Smith is a Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Florida and serves as curator of the Fungarium at the Florida Museum of Natural History. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis. Smith teaches the Fungal Biology course and conducts research focused on fungal systematics, ecology, and evolution. His work emphasizes ectomycorrhizal fungi and the biology of truffles and truffle-like fungi. He identifies unknown fungi for stakeholders across Florida and has described several new genera and more than 50 new species of fungi.

Smith maintains an active research program on fungal biodiversity, with particular attention to hypogeous fungi. He contributes to the identification and study of mushrooms and related organisms, supporting both academic and applied efforts in mycology. His professional responsibilities include teaching, student advising, and curation of fungal collections.