Who is considered the father of modern Mycology?

Heinrich Anton de Bary (26 January 1831 – 19 January 1888) was a German surgeon, botanist, microbiologist, and mycologist (Systemic study of fungus). He is considered a founding father of modern mycology and plant pathology. His extensive and systemic studies of the life history of fungi, yeasts and molds have formed the base of modern mycology.

A professor of botany at the universities of Freiburg im Breisgau (1855–66), Halle (1867–72), and Strassburg (1872–88), de Bary determined the life cycles of many fungi, for which he developed a classification that has been retained in large part by modern mycologists. Among the first to study host-parasite interactions, he demonstrated ways in which fungi penetrate host tissues

Fungi are the primary decomposer of organic material in many ecosystems and play a crucial role in recycling of nutrients and global carbon cycle. Fungi also causes numerous diseases in plants, animals and human and hence their systemic study is of paramount importance.