Karin Kütt

Karin Kütt is a Junior Research Fellow at the Chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology within the Institute of Forestry and Engineering at Estonian University of Life Sciences, a position she has held since September 2023 with a contract extending through August 2027. She is actively engaged in forest pathology research with a specialization in Inonotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom) while pursuing her PhD studies in Forestry at the same institution.

Her educational background includes a Master of Science in Forest Management and Forest Ecology with cum laude distinction (2021-2023), a Master's Degree in Economics and Business Administration from University of Tartu (2009-2011), and a BA in Rural Entrepreneurship and Financial Management from Estonian University of Life Sciences (2006-2009).

Karin's research focuses on forest pathology with particular emphasis on medicinal mushroom cultivation, invasive forest pathogens, and forest health monitoring in the context of climate change. Her work bridges traditional forest pathology with modern applications of medicinal fungi, exploring both ecological impacts of pathogens and commercial potential of non-timber forest products. She has presented her findings at major international conferences including the International Medicinal Mushrooms Conference and International Mycological Congress.

Her significant research contributions have earned her multiple prestigious awards including the Kristjan Jaak Scholarship and Endel Laas Scholarship in 2023, and Andres Mathiesen and Heino Teder Scholarships in 2022.

Karin participates in substantial research projects with combined funding exceeding €1.3 million, including 'Boosting the Inoculation and Cultivation Success of Chaga Mushroom' (€234,000) and 'Entering and establishment of invasive forest pathogens' (€760,450). She has also contributed to outreach activities such as delivering forestry lectures for children at Järvselja Experimental and Training Centre and participating in international summer schools on forest health monitoring.

As an active member of the Estonian Naturalists' Society since 2024, she contributes to scientific dissemination and participates in training courses including Phytophthora isolation workshops and advanced forest health monitoring techniques.