About

I began studying the fungi from my local grocery store in 2015. At one point, I made the connection that some of these mushrooms were foraged from the wild - free food! Before I knew it, I had a very large chicken of the woods sizzling in a pan. But something was wrong. After an hour and a half of cooking, the rubbery mushroom was still unpalatable, tasting like a soggy stick. As much as I cooked it and chewed it, the thing didn't get any better. The mushroom turned out to be an old, stiff Berkeley's polypore – nothing dangerous, but an embarrassing first try.
 
I've smartened up since then, becoming more cautious about the things that I stick into my mouth and caring about other qualities besides edibility. Finding a choice edible is still a big reason why I study fungi. However, I no longer consider myself a weird mycophage, but rather a much weirder mycologist. This website serves two principal functions: to share with the public my research and outreach as a graduate student at University of Michigan and to document my journey towards eating 1001 mushrooms. Please enjoy the fungal tales and portraits and contact me if you have any questions. 

Research

Fungi are an endless source of mystery and questions for the curious. As a doctorate student at University of Michigan, I shed light on the ecology and evolution of fungi through secondary metabolomics, phylogenomics, and systematics. Learn more about my past and present research projects here.

Evolution of Gyromitrin

Gyromitrin is a deadly toxin produced by some species of false morels (Gyromitra spp.). We are characterizing the genes responsible for gyromitrin biosynthesis analyzing their evolutionary history. 

Tardigrade-infecting Fungi

Sorochytrium milnesiophthora is a zoosporic fungal parasite of tardigrades that has not been documented in almost 40 years. We hope to rediscover it and sequence its genome to better understand basal fungal phylogeny. 

Taxonomy of Crust Fungi

Crusts do not evoke much excitement, even in the world of mycology. However, they are an extremely diverse, ecologically important, and interesting group of fungi – once you get to know them.

Teaching and Outreach

As a graduate student instructor at University of Michigan, I've taught two semesters of microbiology and am currently teaching mycology with my advisor, Dr. Tim James. I enjoy teaching and engaging in mycology with the public as well, first as founder and president of Madison Mycological Society and now with Midwest American Mycological Information, hosting workshops for those interested in becoming certified mushroom foragers in Michigan. Click here to learn more about my teaching and community engagement work. 

Miscellaneous

Consultation

As a professional mycologist, I consult with entrepreneurs interested in fugal cultivation and other applications.

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1001 Mushrooms Blog

My lifelong goal is to eat 1001 fungal species. Read about edible fungi and tasty recipes, as well as my ponderings as a mycologist.

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Downloads​

Check out my CV and scientific publications. 

Contact