Homeschooling Hero: Toby Spripbille

by Christina Yeager

Toby Spripbille is a well-known biologist serving in the study of Lichens. He changed the long-believed fact that two species altogether from a symbiotic organism and proved the existence as well as the importance of a third organism.

Being raised in Montana Park and homeschooled, Toby became fascinated by the magic of science at a young age - and has uncovered something remarkable.
​

---

---

Homeschooling
Toby was directed towards an unconventional path since his childhood. He observed every aspect of science, especially biology, in a different way – thus, ended up founding a new theory that a third organism is critical for the formation of a symbiotic organism.

Toby was homeschooled by what he now calls a “fundamentalist cult” and was captivated by the wonders of science. However, he wasn’t able to feed his thirst for science. Toby belonged to a fundamentalist religious family and faced many difficulties in pursuing his early education.

After a lengthy struggle, he began working in local forestry at the age of 19. After earning enough to pursue his dreams, he left Montana Park, his home, he longed to get admitted to a university. But with his non-existent grades and insufficient savings, no American University was willing to take him.

Toby decided to move to Europe. Still, he was lacking his minimal qualifications. Fortunately, the University of Gottingen accepted him by saying, “We can enroll a few without any substantial transcripts.” He knew German and managed to get into a university with little to no tuition fees. This was a life-changing moment for Toby Spripbille.

Who knew this young man was going to change the course of science forever?

Accomplishments
We’ve all seen lichens and ignored them a limitless number of times. Unlike every scientist after Schwedener, Toby found out that lichens are not only a set of two organisms but three. In 1995, his research changed 150 years of history in biology.

Despite receiving a minimal homeschooled education, Toby successfully pursued his love for science. Currently, Toby has:

• An undergraduate degree from the University of Gottingen - 2006
• A Ph.D. from the University of Graz - 2011

Currently
After his unmatched work in the Lichens niche, Toby is trying his best to unleash more mysteries of science – specifically biology. Currently, he is serving as an assistant professor at the University of Alberta.
​

---