Leif Tibell

Leif Tibell (born 16 November 1944) is a Swedish lichenologist and Emeritus Professor at the University of Uppsala.

[2] He developed an interest in lichens at a young age after meeting the prominent lichenologist Gunnar Degelius through the Gothenburg Botanical Garden, where they were both members.

[2] He continued with graduate studies under the supervision of Rolf Santesson after accompanying him on a research excursion to Norway's Varanger Peninsula in 1966.

Rolf Santesson, who became Tibell's Ph.D. supervisor and second main mentor,[3] suggested he should study genera of the family Caliciaceae – the pin lichens.

These include:[8] Leifidium Wedin (1993); Tibellia Vězda & Hafellner (1992); Atla tibelliorum Pykälä & Myllys (2016); Caloplaca tibellii S.Y.Kondr.