Category: Student Spotlight Page 4 of 6

Chance Noffsinger is a native of Whitefish, Montana and currently working in the lab of Dr. Cathy Cripps at Montana State University, Bozeman. Chance’s research focuses on assessing the diversity, distribution, and ecology of the genus Russula in the Rocky Mountain alpine zone. Dr. Cathy Cripps and Chance have found over 150 collections of Russula from the Rocky Mountains and preliminary analysis indicates that at least 10 species are present. However, all of the tentatively identified species were originally described from Europe. Therefore, all Russula collections are being subjected to an in-depth morphological study and a systematic molecular analysis of multiple genetic loci. For the purpose of identification, Rocky Mountain Russula collections will be compared to type specimens or specimens from type localities for all tentatively identified European species. The systematic analysis will also include collections from alpine and Arctic regions worldwide to determine if these Russula species are endemic, intercontinentally distributed, or if cryptic species exist. Chance’s work will also produce a key for the identification of Alpine Russula in the Rocky Mountains which will promote future ecological research into the impact of this important ectomycorrhizal genus because little is known about the species present or how to identify them.

Any awards we should know about?

In 2018 I received the Ben Woo Grant from the Puget Sound Mycological Society to support the cost of my molecular work and I received funding for field work from the John W. Marr Fund based out of the University of Colorado Boulder. I would like to thank both organizations for supporting my research focused on Alpine Russula. Without the support of the Puget Sound Mycological Society and the John. W. Marr Fund my research would not have been possible.

What are your Career goals?

Currently, I’m pursuing a Master’s degree from Montana State University. Following graduation I plan on applying for a PhD program. I’m interested in using genomic data to understand fungal evolution within the Basidiomycota. However, the more I study fungi the more I’m enticed by all aspects of the field and I would consider a broad range of topics for future study. But, I’m also very interested in fungal genetics, molecular clock analysis, genomic analysis, the Russulales, and alpine fungi.

What is your favorite fungus and why?

My favorite fungus is Macowanites luteolus which was recently changed to Russula stricklandorum (Elliott and Trappe 2018). Macowanites used to represent a group of hypogeous russuloid fungi and now molecular analysis has confirmed their placement within the genus Russula. R. stricklandorum is my favorite because they are extremely difficult to find like most hypogeous fungi and upon further examination the collector is pleasantly surprised to see a vestigial stem and a tightly folded egg yolk yellow hymenium. I also enjoy the strong amyloid reaction of the spores which was one of the original microscopic characteristics that drew me into studying the genus Russula.

What is your favorite fact about fungi?

It’s more of a theory than a fact but, I’m very intrigued by the idea that terrestrial fungi predate land plants and possibly assisted them in the colonization of land sometime around 475 million years ago.

Who is your mycology role model?

My mycological role model is definitely my adviser, Dr. Cathy Cripps. Her supportive teaching style and dedication to mycology have helped me grow in numerous ways as a young scientist

Any good stories from the field?

All I’m gonna say is that the view from my field sites at 10,000 feet on the Beartooth Plateau is pretty hard to beat!

What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies?

I enjoy snowboarding in the winter and rock climbing, mushroom hunting, and softball in the summer!

Austin Frewert is a native of Otsego County, NY and is currently a MS student at Washington State University, working in the lab of Dr. Tanya Cheeke.

His research focuses on investigating the efficacy of mycorrhizal fungi and biochar to restore plant communities on abandoned mine sites. His goal is to determine if co-amending highly degraded mine soil with mycorrhizal fungi and biochar will produce synergistic plant responses. Austin is incorporating both, arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal fungi into his experiments by using native soil inoculum from intact reference sites. He looks forward to contributing to the growing body of knowledge of mycorrhizal ecology and ecological restoration. Austin recently received the WSU 2019 Betty Higinbotham Award. Austin is currently searching for a doctorate program that will allow him to pursue a career as a research scientist with a state or federal agency.

What is your favorite fungus and why?

I am partial to the Boletales, so I’d have to say Suillus spraguei. It’s mycorrhizal, and specific to the five-needle pines. It produces a beautiful fruit body and reminds me of my home in upstate N.Y.

Who is your mycology role model?

I’d have to say Dr. Thomas Horton, who turned me on to mycorrhizal ecology and provided me with many great experiences and opportunities as an undergraduate. I would not have the passion for science and the skillset that I do now if it were not for him.

Any great stories from field work?

While working in Sequoia National Park this past summer I was walking through a large open meadow and came within a split second from stepping on an impressively large rattlesnake. My heart sank into my boots and I slowly backed away.  I like to think my habit of scanning the ground for mushrooms is what saved me.

What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies?

Biking, hiking, gardening, binging true crime podcasts, playing saxophone, haiku

Anything else we should know about you?

I am always looking to have a good chat about ecology and future collaborations. After my master’s I want to include fungal genetics and scanning electron microscopy into my doctoral research and bring new approaches to ecological restorations. I look forward to becoming more involved in MSA in 2019

S. Earl Kang, Jr. is a PhD student at the University of Georgia and is originally from Southern California. He is currently working in the lab of Dr. Michelle Momany. His primary project is understanding conidial germination via transcriptomics based approach. Earl is interested in using the transcript expression profiles to develop diagnostic methods for assessing persistent Aspergillus infections. He is also studying environmental impact on evolution of azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus and the mechanisms contributing to azole resistance. Several years ago he received a Sustainability Award from the University of California San Diego, his undergraduate institution, for co-founding and being involved in an urban farm/community garden at UCSD (Roger’s Urban Farm aka Roger’s Community Garden & Neighborhood Community Garden). As Earl states, “Sustainable agriculture is very important to me. During my undergrad I spent a significant time learning about sustainable agriculture and exchanging ideas with other like minded folks. This eventually led to starting the farm and my foray into the sciences (my undergrad degree is in Business economics).”

What are your career goals?

I am applying for jobs at companies that use synthetic biology to create novel products for improving materials production, agriculture, and healthcare.

What is your favorite fungus and why?

Fistulina hepatica – beefsteak fungus.

I am amazed by the variety of metabolites fungi are able to produce.  I find it amazing that this particular fungus produces metabolites and proteins which makes the fruiting body bleed red and look like raw meat.  Even more incredible is that when you cook it, it smells just like steak.

If we are able to understand how F. hepatica orchestrates the production of these metabolites/proteins and recreate it in the lab we might be able to change how people view alternative protein sources and change our modern food system.

What is your favorite fact/thing about fungi?

I appreciate all the diverse biological processes fungi have evolved to survive and the rate of adaptation to the ever changing world. Fungi are a wonderful system to study evolution and indicators for how higher eukaryotes may need to learn to adapt to environmental changes in the future (or in space).

Who is your mycology role model?

All the mycologists who unlocked the secrets of fungi through observation without sequencing technology and fluorescent proteins. I really appreciate the knowledge we can still gain from observing old microscopy images to elucidate biological function.

Any great stories from fieldwork?

I like to consider myself as an excellent molecular biologist and strive to maintain a safe work environment. First time in the field looking for azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus I wore my personal protective equipment + my farming outfit. Our collaborators couldn’t stop laughing at me, but I assure you that there was no cross-contamination between sites!

What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies?

Wait… grad students get free time? I enjoy creating edible landscapes; cooking and hosting pop-up dinners; discussing ideas, science, politics, and philosophy with friends; and exploring the outdoors with my dog.  I spend a lot of time filling holes in my yard as a result of working on training my dog to sniff out pecan truffles and mushrooms.

Anything else we should know about you?

We live in a really exciting time where technology is allowing us to expedite scientific progress and add to the web of knowledge. Read broadly and expand the limits of your imagination!

Anat Belasen is a PhD candidate at the University of Michigan, originally from upstate New York. She is currently in Tim James’ lab, where she is researching the effects of forest fragmentation on frog health. Specifically, Anat is examining how frog host genetics change with fragmentation, and whether these genetic changes affect susceptibility to fungal pathogens and/or diversity of fungi and other microbes in the frog skin microbiome. When she finishes her PhD, Anat is looking for a post-doc where she can delve deeper into the mechanisms that lead to differences in infection susceptibility. She is thinking about using experimental approaches to examine coevolution between pathogenic fungi and their hosts. Anat was recently awarded a Predoctoral Fellowship from the graduate school at U of M, which she’s pretty excited about! She also thinks it’s pretty cool that she took home an oral presentation award from the Association of Tropical Biology and Conservation a couple of years ago.

What’s your favorite fungus and why?

I love finding Cerioporus squamosus (the scaly polypore) in the park near my house in Ann Arbor. Can’t get enough of that watermelon rind smell!

What is your favorite thing about fungi?

We as humans have so many relationships with fungi – they attack us, they help us, we eat them, we domesticate them, some fear them, many love them.

Any great stories from field work (funny/interesting/something that stuck out to you)?

Once I was out in the field at night in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil with another American student and a couple of Brazilian helpers. We saw what we thought was an extremely rare sighting: a blue Morpho butterfly that was out at night! We oohed and ahhed as it floated toward us… But as it approached, something very strange happened. While Morphos are known to be shy, when this guy got close to us it flew right into our faces (because it was attracted to our headlamps) and kept slapping us with its giant blue wings. It seemed to follow us for nearly half an hour, going from person to person and basically beating us up. A beautiful, serene moment had quickly turned to us being terrorized by this thing! Finally, one of the Brazilians who was out with us told us to turn off our headlamps and walk in darkness for a bit, which worked like a charm – the butterfly finally flew off. Later I talked with an entomologist who told me it actually must have been a Caligo moth, which look a lot like Morphos but are a lot more aggressive, and are notorious for laying the smacks on field biologists who are out at night with headlamps.

What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies?

I love to garden. Nothing is as cool to me as growing my own food from a tiny seed. This year I’m trying out straw bale gardening – it’s basically a cheap and lazy way to make raised beds in any sunny spot in your yard or around your house.

Anything else you’d like to talk about?

Shameless plug: check out my website for info about the outreach and scicomm I’m involved in, as well as some of my favorite photos that I’ve taken in the field – anatbelasen.weebly.com

Edgar M. Medina Tovar, a native of Bogotá, Colombia, is currently a PhD student in the Department of Biology at Duke University. In Dr. Nicolas E. Buchler’s lab, Edgar studies the zoosporic fungus Spizellomyces, to develop this non-model organism into a genetically tractable system. The zoosporic fungi comprise a group of fungal lineages that have a fascinating biology and likely hold many clues to the origin of fungi and the Opisthokonts. Although they are full blown fungi, they are particularly interesting to Edgar because they have retained characteristics from the Opisthokont ancestor that we only tend to associate with animal lineages. These fungi have reproductive spores that lack cell wall, crawl on surfaces and swim with a single posterior cillium nucleated from a centriole. Once they find a suitable niche, the spores retract their cillium, form a cell wall and germinate through a hypha-like structure with polarized growth called rhizoid (all this happens within a couple of hours!). At this stage the germinated spore displays more classical fungal behavior, to eventually produce and release hundreds of new zoospores. Edgar believes the mechanisms that underlie this duality and how it is regulated can provide clues to what lies at the core of what it means to be a fungus and how it deviates from the evolutionary trajectory followed by the animal lineage.

Despite animals and fungi being sibling Opisthokonts, the core transcription factors that control commitment to cell division (E2F and SBF, respectively) and their repressors (Rb and Whi5, respectively) do not appear to have a shared molecular ancestor. Using comparative genomics Edgar showed that SBF, which contains a viral-derived DNA binding domain, was acquired very early in the evolution of fungi by horizontal gene transfer. Also, that this viral-derived transcription factor still coexists with the ancestral E2F in some early-diverging fungi, establishing a hybrid cell cycle control network. Subsequently, the ancestor of Dikarya lost the ancestral E2F and kept SBF. Finally, yeast SBF has an overlapping DNA-binding specificity to that of human E2F. This lead to the working hypothesis of Edgar’s current work: That a viral SBF hijacked cell cycle control in the dawn of Fungi by binding the E2F cis-regulatory sequences of E2F-responsive promoters, and thereby gained the ability to control the G1/S transition and pushing cells to proliferation. Edgar is a recipient of the Duke University School of Medicine Chancellor’s Scholarship in 2012, and for this work, the Meredith Blackwell Award for best grad student talk at MSA 2017. After completing his doctorate, Edgar plans to continue in academia with a postdoctoral position.

What is your favorite fungus and why?

Saccharomyces, if I had to choose one, just as the representative of the hard working guild that brings delicious fermentation products to our life.

What is your favorite thing about fungi?

Fungi are the ultimate éminence grise of the plant world. Fungi are not only arguably the most important plant pathogens, but they rule everything, from plant seed germination to their growth and decay. The establishment of mycorrhizae and endophytism was probably key for the diversification of plants and a necessity for their colonization of land. Also, they are probably the main drivers of nutrient allocation and carbon cycling in our forests. When I see a plant, I see a puppet of a bunch of sly fungi.

Who is your mycology role model?

Much of my current work has strong foundations on the work of Melvin S. Fuller. Reading his papers on zoosporic fungi at a time in which they were emerging as models of cell biology always generates a whirlwind of ideas and reminds me of the power of classical mycology. On the other hand, I think mycology is nowadays such a multidisciplinary science that is hard to have only one role model, so I have many, and would be unfair to say some and leave others out. Nevertheless, a role model should also include characteristics that go beyond “being good at science”. I really look up to PI’s that try to do exciting basic science, do not bend to the “safe fundable zone”, and are great mentors. I am glad there are still many out there and I am lucky to have one as advisor. Unfortunately, it is unclear how you get trained to become a good mentor and is hard to survive and get funded as a PI doing exciting fringe science in the current funding landscape.

What do you do in your free time?

I am all about coffee and food, so I really like cooking and baking. I seem to work with more yeast at home than in the lab. I like sourdough baking and playing with fermentations. Also, I really like road cycling and trail running, allows me to make space to eat even more, though I have relied mostly on running lately because is hard to get the time for long rides and there is an epidemic of bad drivers around here. Also, being in the forest reminds me a bit of home.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I have always liked scientific illustration and I think good figure design is key for a good paper, facilitating communication with the reader. This has led me to sometimes being teased about spending maybe too much time making figures and as my go-to procrastination. I fell in love with it when I discovered Haeckel’s work during my undergrad, fungi have beautiful microscopic and macroscopic structures with incredible elegance.

Teeratas ‘Tas’ Kijpornyongpan is a PhD student from Bangkok, Thailand, where he completed his undergraduate degree. Tas plans to return to Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, his alma mater, as faculty after he completes his PhD at Purdue University. His primary interests are to explore fungal biodiversity in Thailand, as well as to teach and inspire younger generations about mycology. Currently, Tas is in Dr. M. Catherine Aime’s lab, where he works on the groups of early-diverging basidiomycetes called Ustilaginomycotina. The subphylum comprises smut fungi, one of the most diversified plant pathogens infecting many graminaceous plants. Ustilaginomycotina also consists of other members having a variety of life strategies ranging from animal pathogens, plant-associated fungi, and solely saprobic fungi. Tas’s project attempts to understand potential mechanisms that drive the growth from differences in this group of fungi, as well as the process of growth from switching in dimorphic species. Since this group of fungi has been overlooked in terms of biodiversity, Tas is also interested in exploring more unknown species in this lineage under the taxonomic/phylogenetic frameworks. This fungal dimorphism project has been supported by two MSA research awards, the Salomon Bartnicki-Garcia award, and the Graduate Student Fellowship award.

What is your favorite fungus and why?

It should be my model species Ustilago maydis for sure. Even though I have no idea how good is the “huitlacoche” (corn gall as a Mexican food), the craziness of U. maydis fungal dimorphism has been helping me stay on this track until now.

What is your favorite fact about fungi?

Fungi have many ways for reproduction¾sexual spores, asexual spores, budding or hyphal fragmentation. Even in sexual reproduction, they are so diverse in terms of sexual compatibility and a number of mating types. Since reproduction is a key property of an organism to exist in the world, it is no doubt that how fungi are much more diversified compared to plants and animals.

Any great stories from field work?

Although I am not very specialized in a field work, there is a little funny story when I helped my advisor survey a site. We were looking around to see what types of fungi could be found in the area. My advisor was interested in rust fungi in particular, so she said what structures to look for as a sign for them. Other people started seeing something, and I tried to do the same. Then I found a crawling plant on the ground, and there are aecia (spore-bearing structures of rust fungi) underneath its leaf. So I grabbed the leaf using a bare hand and told everyone “Look! Here is a rust fungus.” My advisor stared at me for a few seconds before monotonously said “Oh, that is a poison ivy.” I was shocked for a minute before throwing the leaf off, then asked someone for water to wash my hand. Thankfully, there was no any subsequent allergic reaction, maybe because I am tolerant to poison ivy.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I like reading books and playing card/board games for my indoor activities. Photography is a big part of my outdoor hobby. I love not only taking pictures of spectacular scenery and beautiful flowers, but also having shots of tiny mushrooms/fungi on the ground or any pathogens on plants. These type of photos, as well as collected samples, would be invaluable as teaching materials for my future career.

Jorge Ronny Díaz-Valderrama grew up in the small, but historically important city of Cajamarca, Peru, in the Northern Highlands. He is currently a PhD student at Dr. M. Catherine Aime’s lab at the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, Purdue University. Jorge describes his research as a kind of “enemy-friend” relationship between Moniliophthora roreri and Jorge himself. The fungus made itself an enemy by causing frosty pod rot on cacao, diminishing cacao production in Latin America and threatening world chocolate production, which is definitely something that makes enemies. However, the fungus is also a good friend to Jorge because of its mysterious reproductive biology, which, as he states, has made his scientific curiosity grow. Moniliophthora roreri belongs to the Marasmiaceae, but lacks production of fruiting body; therefore, a better understanding of its population biology and dissemination capabilities within and among cacao plantations are important research questions that Jorge is working on. He is a recipient of a 2013 MSA Mentor Travel Award, 2016 MSA C. T. Rogerson Award, 2017 MSA International Travel Award, and should probably get a vote for the most enthusiastic talk given at MSA 2017.

What are your career goals/plans for after you’re done your PhD?

I would like to hold at a post-doc position to learn techniques that I haven’t been exposed to yet. Then, with all the skills that I acquired as PhD student and will acquire as post-doc, I would like to adventure myself into the Academic life as a Research Faculty to conduct work that has positive impact in Peru and Latin-American.

What is your favorite fungus and why?

Academically, I really like Wallemia spp. because it can be found pretty much everywhere, in the air, soil, dust, indoors, outdoors, and it is neither Aspergillus nor Penicillium (jokingly). It is also a very important extremophilic genus of fungi that is commonly found in natural solar salterns and hypersaline waters. However, it can spoil your jam or honey. Watch out!

Socially, my favorite fungus is Saccharomyces cerevisiae, for obvious reasons…

What is your favorite thing about fungi?

It amazes me how complex these seemingly simple organisms can be. They have all kinds of strategies for dissemination, survival and nutrition. It really scares me to think how much we depend upon them. They basically rule the world.

Any good field work stories?

It was already our third day in the world largest city inaccessible by road, Iquitos, which hides in the middle of Peruvian Upper Amazon forest. Even though I was in my home country, almost everything I experienced there was new to me. It really impressed me that the main means of transportation between towns were taxi-like canoes operated by locals and many times helped by the waters of the Amazon and nearby rivers. As usual, our working day started very early in the morning. We aimed to find M. roreri from wild cacao and cacao relatives. Fortunately, we were guided by two experienced plant taxonomists from the “Universidad de la Amazonía Peruana” who knew extremely well the place. After crossing the Itaya River in one of those “taxis”, we had to walk for two hours before we ran into our first diseased cacao trees. At that point we were in the middle of the jungle, but we were so thrilled to find what we were looking for that we wanted to keep on going despite of being exhausted. We found another M. roreri patch and we all agreed it was time to go back. To our surprise, our guides kept walking in the opposite direction from where we started. We were a little worried but we thought “OK, the river is closer this way, so we will probably take a taxi canoe to go back”. Indeed we got into a canoe; however, it was not taking us back but further and further. Our guides wouldn’t tell us where they were taking us. They would only respond with a plain “do not worry” to our kind of desperate inquiries. After one extra hour navigating and 30 extra minutes walking (equivalent to 1.5 hours of anguish) we managed to get to a little house which at its front door had a stack of pineapples on a small table. Our guides, now turned into a sort of kidnappers, yelled at the house hoping for somebody to come out. A lady finally showed up. “Please, can we have four pineapples? Do you have change of ten?”, our guides asked her. We looked at each other and thought to ourselves “Seriously?! Did we just come all the way here to buy pineapples?” Our guides noticed our faces and told us “Don’t worry, it’s on us”, and grinned. We laughed. The lady approved the transaction and handed them a machete. It is going to sound like a cliché but the imposed pineapple slices were amazing, marvelous! “Best pineapples ever!”, they claimed. I guarantee that this statement is too close to complete truth. The entire detour was so worthy. Reach out to me to get exact GPS coordinates of the pineapple house… if ever interested.

What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies?

The things I do in my free time in order of priority are:

– Hanging out and having a beer with my friends

– Playing and watching soccer (Peru is about to make it to the world cup after 36 years!)

– Listening to music and playing my guitar, not necessarily good music or songs

– Reading a book, not necessarily good ones as well

Anything else you’d like to add?

Every time I have the opportunity to go to Peru, I contact local Universities and Research Institutions to tell them that I will be around and that I would like to give a small lecture/seminar about what I do. In this way, I have given talks at the “Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca”, Jaen; at the “Universidad Nacional de Piura”, Piura; and at the Center for Research and Promotion for Peasantry (CIPCA), Piura. Students and local researchers seem to enjoy my presentations and we still stay in touch. This is priceless to me.

In the USA, I have volunteered to give science (fungal) lectures to Girl Scouts, and I hope they keep inviting me…

Andrew Loyd is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is a PhD candidate at the University of Florida in Gainesville in the labs of Drs. Jason Smith and Brantlee Richter. He is the recipient of a 2017 MSA Clark T. Rogerson Award. Andrew’s research project focuses on the taxonomy, biology and physiology of the laccate (shiny or varnished) Ganoderma species in the United States. Ganoderma is a large and diverse, globally-distributed genus of basidiomycete wood decay fungi that includes species that cause white rot on a variety of tree species. In addition, Ganoderma species are considered “superior herbs” in traditional Asian medicine, where they are made into teas and tinctures and prescribed as anti-inflammatory and immune enhancing therapies. The taxonomy of the laccate Ganoderma species is confusing, but the lab is currently elucidating evolutionary relationships and biological differences between the laccate Ganoderma species present in the United States.

In addition, the lab has conducted surveys of Ganoderma species in commercially-available supplement products and grow-your-own Ganoderma kits that are labeled as containing G. lucidum sensu lato. Andrew and others in his lab are elucidating what species are actually being sold, because there are likely differences in the quantity and quality of pharmaceutical chemicals (e.g. triterpenes) produced. Furthermore, it is likely that non-native species are being introduced through the mushroom cultivation trade, which could lead to escapes into natural ecosystems. Currently, supplement products are not regulated by the the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the medicinal fungus growing trade is often overlooked by the U.S. Animal and Plant Inspection Service.

For the past century, many studies of Ganoderma have used the name Ganoderma for any laccate Ganoderma species growing on hardwood trees. Molecular studies have established that G. lucidum sensu stricto (Curtis) Karst is not native to North America. The lab’s surveys of over 500 collections of Ganoderma species collected in the United States have revealed 12 putative native taxa, including: G. curtisii (Berk.) Murrill, G. martinicense Welti & Court., G. meredithiae Adask. & Gilb., G. oregonense Murrill, G. polychromum (Copel.) Murrill, G. ravenelii Steyaert, G. sessile Murrill, G. tsugae Murrill, G. tuberculosum Murrill, G. c.f. weberianum (Bres. & Henn.) Steyaert, G. zonatum Murrill, and Tomophagus colossus (Fr.) Murrill (syn. G. colossus). Andrew and others are investigating the geographic distributions and host preferences of the laccate Ganoderma species present in the United States to better understand the ecology of these important primary decay fungi. Furthermore, they have characterized the cultural characteristics to better understand the physiology of the laccate Ganoderma species in the U.S. For this Andrew and the lab characterized the optimal temperatures, average linear growth rates, and survival and resiliency to extreme temperatures.

There is some debate whether Ganoderma species are pathogens or early successional, opportunistic saprophytes, as many of these taxa are associated with the decline of living trees. Some Ganoderma species cause root and butt rot of living trees, but the pathogenicity and decay ability within the genus is understudied. Some, such as G. zonatum are considered aggressive pathogens, and have been associated with tree failure and mortality of mature palms, while others, are often saprophytic causing decay in old, weakened tress and can potentially be latent opportunistic saprophytes. Few studies have conducted pathogenicity tests in living trees, while many studies have associated Ganoderma species with a general decline of living trees. The lab is conducting pathogenicity assays with common Ganoderma species across several tree hosts in the southeastern U.S. to address these questions. Ganoderma species identification tools are being developed to make species diagnoses easier. Biological differences likely exist among the native North American Ganoderma species, and these results will be published in peer-reviewed journals soon.

Upon completion of his PhD, Andrew will step into a role as Plant Pathologist/Mycologist for the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories based out of Charlotte, NC. He will continue to work on taxonomy and biology of wood decay fungi, especially species that are associated with living trees. Andrew would like to research different soil management and tree health enhancing cultural practices that can stimulate compartmentalization in living trees as management tactics to reduce the likelihood of tree failures due to decay. Other research interests involve surveys of mycorrhizal fungal species in urban forests relative to native forests, effects of fungicide injections on endophyte biodiversity, and sustainable management of tree diseases in the landscape.

What is your favorite fungus and why?

Obviously, Ganoderma species are the crème de la crème. I have thoroughly enjoyed studying this genus of fungi. Although the literature regarding the taxonomy of this genus is quite confusing, and at times frustrating, it has been very rewarding to unravel the chaos! Also, the cultural significance of Ganoderma species (reishi) in Asian culture is quite fascinating, where several Chinese deities are said to have lived for hundreds of years because of consumption of reishi.

My favorite fungus that I have eaten is the beef steak polypore (Fistulina c.f. hepatica). It is great on tacos or burritos, because it has a sweet and acidic flavor that is reminiscent of tomatoes.

What is your favorite fact/thing about fungi?

Fungi represent a fascinating Kingdom of life that is quite understudied and culturally significant. I think the use of fungi by indigenous people for medicine/religion all around the world is quite fascinating. The fact that indigenous peoples in different parts of the world, independently of each other, came to similar conclusions about the uses and spirituality surrounding fungi is so neat. I have learned a lot about this, especially involving wood decay fungi species, from reading and conversing with Bob Blanchette at the University of Minnesota.

Who is your mycology role model?

Personally: Larry Grand and Bob Blanchette; Academically: William Murrill

Any great stories from field work?

Working with citizen scientists has been quite rewarding in collecting a lot of fungi around the U.S. in a short amount of time. However, this has also has limited the amount of field work I have had to do for my current research. What stuck out to me though through using citizen scientists to aid in field work, was the knowledge and passion of SO many people who are truly dedicated to the study of fungi!

Although I didn’t get out in the field as much as I wanted, I did get the opportunity to go collect fungi in Wisconsin with the Blanchette lab. While collecting, I saw my first real, live porcupine! That was exciting.

What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies?

In my free time, I enjoy cooking, eating Indian food, playing old-time music (fiddle, banjo, guitar), going to concerts, bird watching, camping, hiking, kayaking and of course collecting fungi!

Washington native Korena Mafune is a PhD student at the University of Washington in Drs. Daniel and Kristiina Vogt’s lab. Korena researches in the Olympic Penninsula in Washington where she focuses on elucidating the role of adventitious roots and their fungal partners in canopy soils of old-growth Acer macrophyllum (big leaf maple). In these temperate rainforests, canopy soils form from epiphytic mats on branches decomposing over time. Some dominant tree species have adapted to develop adventitious rooting systems in these arboreal soils. They are prevalent in old-growth forests throughout the Olympic Peninsula, where stands have been recorded to accumulate 200,000 m^3/ha of canopy soil volume. These unique forests are experiencing more seasonal extremes, such as wetter winters and drier summers, and are known for their temporal stability. Korena is specifically interested in exploring if fungi associating with adventitious rooting systems in canopy soils are acting as adaptive facilitators to environmental change. The research field of canopy soil is relatively young, so it is very important to lay the building blocks for understanding these complex ecosystems. Her specific research aims to identify fungi associating with adventitious and forest floor rooting systems of the same host trees, identify if root fungal communities are unique to the respective soil habitat, and if they shift throughout the experimental drought manipulations. She will also be exploring phosphorus and nitrogen nutrient fluxes, while gathering soil microclimatic data throughout the experimental manipulation. The research group has also been working to create a protocol that will allow fungal community analysis using the MinIon Nanopore Sequencer. They have successfully ran the MinIon, are currently analyzing the barcoded library, and troubleshooting to create an even stronger protocol that will increase accuracy.  Korena’s research is funded by the Daniel E. Stuntz Memorial Foundation, and various local mycological societies (Puget Sound Mycological Society (Ben Woo Scholarship), Oregon Mycological Society, and Sonoma Mycological Society). She is the recipient of the Ben Hall Conservation Genetics Award, and the MSA Forest Fungal Ecology Award. Korena plans to continue researching canopy soil ecosystems in academia, ideally ending in a research scientist or professor position in the Pacific Northwest.

What is your favorite fungus and why?

How can there be just one?!? I love Cantharellus subalbidus, because when the goldens are shy, they always greet me with a plentiful forage. I also love the appearance of Boletus (Xerocomellus) xelleri, and I always get a kick out of having my students feel the consistency of Dacrymyces.

What is your favorite thing about fungi?

The parallel evolution of land plants and symbiotic fungi, and the fact that certain host trees have adapted to have fungal-root relations in canopy soils. Would plants have evolved to be so complex without fungi?! Would we even be here without them?! I also love that a majority of all land plants are holding hands with their best friends (mycorrhiza). Fungi rule the world!!

Who is your mycology role model?

I have met so many enthusiastic mycologists over the last several years. Joe Ammirati has really helped me. I came into this project from an ecological background, and his input has allowed me to step back and better comprehend the extreme complexity of plant-fungal evolution.

Any great stories from field work?

Too many to count, but here are a couple funny stories:

One time when I was leading an introductory fungal field trip, I instructed the students to go forage for some mushrooms to ID, and an overly enthusiastic student grabbed a disguised fuzzy piece of dog poop before I had the chance to give the warning. When I said, ‘Oh no, drop it’, a student said ‘like it’s hot?’. We all had a good laugh.

My current undergraduate assistant has a peculiar talent in which he perfectly imitates a monkey call. So now it comes normal to play Marco-Polo with monkey calls vs. using the walkies, when we are locating each other in field.

While on the topic of monkey-ing around, I was climbing in the Peruvian Amazon a few summers ago, and a family of Howler monkeys decided to investigate. They ended up coming into the tree right across from me ~20’ away, and just stared at me for about 10 minutes. They had a little baby with them, and it was so cute. I was semi nervous about them feeling threatened, but maybe being up on their level helped me out.

What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies?

I train martial arts/boxing about 5-6 days a week, which takes up most of my free time. Other than that, I love spending time with my family and fur babies (a husky and two kitties), swimming in my favorite Washington waterholes, hula hooping, and foraging during the right seasons. I also love food, whether it is cooking it, eating it, or both.

A native of Montreal, Emile Gluck-Thaler is a PhD candidate at The Ohio State University in Dr. Jason C. Slot’s lab. Emile is interested in the genetics of fungal ecology. Fungal lifestyles are notoriously difficult to pin down, and often, a single species will be associated with multiple ecological roles. For example, some fungi can shift between decomposer, pathogen and mutualist within a single round of their lifecycle. This high degree of phenotypic plasticity is a really important part of how fungi evolve and interact with other organisms, and Emile wants to learn more about how they do it. Right now, he is researching the phenomenon of gene clustering, where genes involved in the same metabolic pathway are positioned next to one another on fungal chromosomes, in order to better understand how fungal ecology and metabolism are reflected in the organization of genes in genomes. Emile writes computer programs and builds phylogenetic trees to identify new types of gene clusters and to study the evolutionary processes leading to their assembly, distribution and degradation. His ultimate objective is to link gene clusters with metabolic pathways that help fungi adapt to particular niches. After completing his PhD, Emile plans to post-doc before finding a research position at a university. He plans to ultimately find or make a job where he can continue learning, thinking, and writing about fungi.

What is your favorite fungus and why?

Difficult question, but it has to Septbasidium apiculatum. This species, along with many others in its genus, weaves dense mycelial mats that shelter sap-sucking insects on the surfaces of some plants. These fungi then parasitize some of the insects, holding them in place and using them as a living straw to suck nutrients out of the plant! This is just a wonderful example of how fungi co-opt other organisms while adapting to their environment.

What is your favorite fact/thing about fungi?

Fungi are about as close as you can get to studying alien life without having to leave Earth. Because their body plan is essentially a modular network, they challenge our preconceptions of individuality that are based on traditional animal and plant paradigms. This never ceases to blow my mind.

What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies?

Foodwise, I’m really into making kimchi, and have lately been trying to go beyond cabbage and ferment all kinds of different veggies. I love to hike, but tend to slow everyone else down, as I can get a little obsessive about finding the right angle to photograph the fungi I come across. I also am an avid boardgamer.

Anything else you’d like to talk about?

One of my goals over the next few years is to make a board game about fungi. Board games are a great way to get people engaged with subjects that they wouldn’t otherwise care about, and I think that even a very basic game based on the fundamentals of fungal biology and ecology would go a long way to help familiarize people with fungi.