Cedar Sekorski (it/its or they/them) Where did you grow up? I grew up near Elkland, Missouri Current research location University of Wisconsin – La Crosse Current adviser Anita Davelos Current project description I am currently looking at microbial sediment community structure and composition in an urban freshwater marsh. Any good stories from field work? As…

About Prasanth Pronouns: He/Him From: Kochi, Kerala, India Current research location Clark University Current Advisor David Hibbett Current project description My current project is focused on the “evolution of nematophagy in Pleurotacaeae”. For this project, I am combining a wide range of techniques including classical mycology, metabolomics, comparative genomics, and transcriptomics to get a holistic…

Current research location Aime Lab (Purdue University) Current Advisor Dr. Catherine Aime/ Dr. Daniel Raudabaugh Current project description I am currently using DNA barcoding in the identification of nearly 2000 rust fungus samples. What is your favorite fungus and why? Mushrooms of the genus Cyptotrama for its incredible shade of yellow, much better than the…

Michael Malone (he/him) grew up in Long Island, New York and is currently an undergraduate at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry where he is advised by Dr. Alex Weir. Current project description Our project focuses on a poorly misunderstood group of fungi called the Laboulbeniales. They are obligate ectoparasites of arthropods, especially beetles.…

Dr. Korena Mafune grew up outside of Seattle, WA, and is currently a postdoctoral researcher. Tell us about your project! My research 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…

Marina De León is from the East Coast and is currently a PhD student at UC Davis working with Dr. Jonathan Eisen. Tell us about your project! The invasive, pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is destroying amphibian populations across the world. Understanding Bd epidemiology and treatment options is imperative to saving many species from extinction.…

Autumn Anglin is from Colorado and Florida but currently lives in Oregon and is active with the Willamette Valley Mushroom Society (WVMS) as a member of the WVMS funga citizen science study group. Autumn is a ceramicist as well as a graphic designer, book illustrator, photographer, and web designer. Tell us about your project! We…

Abbey Neat is from Pasadena, California and is currently conducting research at Oregon State University with Dr. Posy Busby! Tell us about your project! I am studying fungal endophytes found in conifer leaf litter. When a tree drops its leaves, its fungal microbiome travels with the leaves as they fall to the ground and will…

Kate Hickman grew up in Sedalia, Missouri and Provo, Utah and is currently working at Utah Valley University with Dr. Geoffrey Zahn! Tell us about your project! We’re analyzing samples taken from mangroves to assess potential interactions between fungi and bacteria. Our aim is to provide information that leads to more effective nursery practices with…