NAMA Speakers Bureau

A pool of potential speakers and foray mycologists is listed below in alphabetical order. We have included a wide range of professional and amateur mycologists — with topics, limitations and interests as provided by the participants. You can learn more about these mycologists from the links provided.

Please use these speakers and mycologists for your club meetings and events. Contact the speakers directly. It is up to your club to negotiate fees and travel arrangements.

To find a speaker and description, scroll down or use the list on the right to jump to a speaker by name. Look for additional speakers in the coming months.

Click HERE to submit yourself as a speaker. Must be a NAMA member.

AIME, CATHERINE

I am currently Professor of Botany & Plant Pathology at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, where my primary area of research focuses on the systematics, evolution and biology of tropical agarics and rust fungi. I am also director of the Arthur and Kriebel Herbaria. I enjoy serving as a speaker or foray mycologist with NAMA groups. I have spoken in the past to NAMA clubs in DC, MD, CA, ID, MO, and MS. My favorite topics are 1) fungi that cause disease on plants, and 2) exploring for new species of fungi in the tropics.

Web: https://aimelab.wixsite.com/aimelab Home: Indiana Full name: M. Catherine Aime Contact: maime@purdue.edu Phone: 765-496-7853

BAZZICALUPO, ANNA

As a PhD student at the University of British Columbia, I am interested in the taxonomy and systematics of Russula of the Pacific Northwest. One aspect of my work I would like to share involves using this complicated group as an example of collaboration between mycological societies and academia, towards the better understanding of the systematics and taxonomy of our local mushrooms. More specifically, I have been working on the Benjamin Woo Russula collection from the Burke Museum, to barcode the Russulas of the Pacific Northwest.

Full name: Anna Bazzicalupo Contact: annabazzicalupo@gmail.com

BEUG, MICHAEL

Michael Beug taught chemistry, mycology and organic farming at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington for 32 years. His proudest accomplishment was a two-year research project (1973-75) with colleague Steve Herman and 40 Evergreen students, instrumental in the banning of DDT use in North America. Michael is a member of NAMA where he served ten years as Editor of the Journal McIlvainea, Chair of the Toxicology Committee, and member of the Education Committee. He received the 2006 NAMA Award for Contributions to Amateur Mycology. He is also active with the Pacific Northwest Key Council; a group dedicated to writing macroscopic keys for the identification of fungi. In addition to his new book, Mushrooms of Cascadia: An Illustrated Key (Fungi Press, 2021), he coauthored Ascomycete Fungi of North America (University of Texas Press, 2014). His photographs have appeared in over 80 publications. He regularly writes for McIlvainea, The Mycophile, and Fungi Magazine. Michael prepared over two dozen presentations about mushrooms for NAMA. In 2017, Paul Stamets of Fungi Perfecti, created the Mike Beug Scholarship, in honor of the professor who helped shaped Stamets’ career. His most popular talks are: 1) “Should I have Eaten That?”, a talk featuring both poisonous and edible mushrooms and how to avoid dangerous mistakes; 2) “The Unusual Mushrooms of Cascadia”; 3) “Psilocybe Mushrooms as Entheogens”. He has several talks focusing on Ascomycetes in general or on morels in particular, and general talks on spring or fall mushrooms.

Web: https://www.mushroomsofcascadia.com/home Home: Washington Full name: Michael Beug

BRUNS, TOM

I would be happy to give talks to NAMA audiences, and have previously spoken at local clubs, including the MSSF, FFSC, and SOMA. My professional work is primarily on community ecology of ectomycorrhizal fungi, but I have also helped to spearhead the Point Reyes Mycoblitz, which is an ongoing effort to catalogue and voucher the macrofungi of Point Reyes National Seashore. You can access reprints of my scientific papers, information on the mycoblitz, lab, and information on people in my lab at the link below.

Web: https://plantandmicrobiology.berkeley.edu/users/tom-bruns Home: California Full name: Tom Bruns Contact: pogon@berkeley.edu

CASTELLANO, MICHAEL

I would very much like to contribute to NAMA as a speaker. I have given lectures at a number of NAMA meetings (CO, NM, TN, CA) in the past. I would probably be available for any part of the country as long as it is mushroom season. Basically I would feel qualified to talk on the following topics:

Trees, Truffles and beasts (the interaction of fungi, forests and forest animals)
The wonderful world of truffles (a survey of the families and genera of truffles)
What are truffles and how to find them (best as a workshop with field time)
What makes a fungus rare? (discussion on defining rarity in fungi and conservation issues and needs)

Home: Oregon Full name: Michael Castellano Contact: mcastellano@fs.fed.us

CAZARES, EFREN

Giving talks about Truffles and Coral fungi is my choice. I will travel to any part of North America, however, I am not familiar with corals outside the Western US (but that will make it more interesting to me)! Nice people and good wine makes a perfect topping to a Fungal Foray!

Web: http://www.fsl.orst.edu/mycology/cazarese.html Home: Oregon Full name: Efren Cazares Contact: mycoroots@comcast.net

CHIMILESKI, LINDSAY

Dr. Lindsay Chimileski is a naturopathic physician with an enthralled devotion to herbal medicine, plants, mushrooms, healing the root cause and the natural world. Through professional seminars and self study she has become an expert in local plant and mushroom identification. Additionally, she has co-lead botanical excursions through the Jamaican jungle, where she teaches about the plant and mushroom medicines with the local healers. Dr. Chimileski is an adjunct faculty member, leading the botanical medicine curriculum, hosting clinic shifts and advanced nutrition courses at the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine. She has years of experience lecturing to both the public and professionally at medical continuing education conferences. Dr. Chimileski also teaches a variety of online and in person medicinal mushroom courses. She is an advocate for the mindful practice of mushroom identification and foraging. Dr. Chimileski's private practice is Hawthorn Holistic Health in Hamden Connecticut. She has a Naturopathic Doctorate, Masters of Acupuncture and Bachelor's Human Development and Family Studies and is licensed naturopathic physician and acupuncturist in Connecticut. She is also a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild.

Web: https://www.thebotanicaldocta.com/ Home: Connecticut Contact: thebotanicaldocta@gmail.com Instagram: @thebotanicaldocta | @iminamushroommood Phone: 1-203-553-7392

COLLISON, JEREMY

I am passionate about the mushroom learning process and I am especially interested in topics made for those relatively new to the mushroom world. I host beginners at my home weekly which gives me a chance to see first hand how well my materials help attendees learn. I use this feedback to continue improving my methods and materials. Check out my Airbnb link below for reviews on my mushroom experience! Topics I Enjoy A Beginner's Roadmap: Simple Strategies for Learning Mushrooms Pacific Northwest Trees: Fungal Partnerships, Identification, and Distribution More Interesting Mushrooms: The best way to find more interesting mushrooms is to find more mushrooms interesting Finding New Spots: Tips for finding new areas to explore Hands On: Learning about mushrooms by doing

Web: https://salishmushrooms.com Home: Washington Contact: jeremy@salishmushrooms.com Phone: 425-610-7741

COTTER, TRADD

I offer cultivation, identification, mycoremediation, and specialty lectures/workshops. I am located in the upstate of South Carolina, between Greenville and Clemson University, so the Southeastern Region is most feasible for us cost-wise. I would love to visit all 50 states of course, but that depends on the host club providing some financial support. My web site hosts educational videos and also provides our schedule of venues.

Web: https://www.mushroommountain.com Full name: Tradd Cotter Contact: traddcotter@mushroommountain.com Phone: 864-855-2469

ELLIOTT, TODD

Todd Elliott is a biologist, naturalist, and forager with a passion for fungi. His work in global biodiversity and interrelationships in nature has taken him to remote corners of six continents to study the biodiversity and ecology of fungi. Most recently, he has been conducting research in Australia for his PhD on the role vertebrates play in the dispersal of fungi (truffles in particular). Todd is an author of the Timber Press field guide Mushrooms of the Southeast and has discovered and described species of mushrooms new to science. Todd's presentations can be customized for your event to include mushroom walks and/or powerpoint lectures.

Web: https://toddelliott.weebly.com/ Home: North Carolina Contact: toddfelliott@gmail.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/toddfelliott/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/toddfelliott1

GAMIET, SHARMIN

Willing to speak on BC, Canada fungi.

Home: British Columbia, Canada Full name: Sharmin Gamiet Contact: sgamiet@shaw.ca

GEHO, TIM

I've done several talks about mushrooms in general, mostly about mushrooms that can be found in SC, GA, and parts of NC. I usually present lots of tidbit information and try to dispel many folk tales about mushrooms. I usually tell the audience about the many uses that have been or are being developed using fungi. It's pretty broad based and I don't go into much detail but items like fungi can help with bio remediation of polluted water, control insects, etc. I could also lead forays for local organizations to let people know the basics about mushrooms. I usually limit myself to a 100 miles radius.

Home: South Carolina Full name: Tim Geho Contact: tgeho@bellsouth.net

GLEW, KATHERINE

I am a Teaching Associate in the Biology Department, University of Washington. From 2004-2006 I held a position at the University of Washington herbarium (WTU), Burke Museum of Natural History, as Assistant Curator of Lichens and Bryophytes. I continue my curatorial interests as Museum Curatorial Associate in the herbarium, where I manage historic collections and process lichens from the Pacific Northwest and Russian Far East. Research interests include alpine lichen community structure on Mount Rainier, Olympic and North Cascade Mountains. I have made collections from Mount St. Helens, looking at successional patterns. I also study lichens from island ecosystems (San Juan Islands and Sakhalin Island, Russia).

I lead the Seattle Lichen Guild, which is a weekly lichen study group, meeting at the University of Washington. My presentation topics include:

Lichens Around Puget Sound or Seattle
Lichen Conservation
Lichens of the San Juan Islands
Lichens of Sakhalin Island, Russian Far East

Home: Washington Contact: kglew@u.washington.edu

HALLEN-ADAMS, HEATHER

I am a food mycologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and can talk on food mycology, the human mycobiome, molds and mycotoxins, or mushroom poisoning (as well as general fungal talks).

Web: https://foodscience.unl.edu/faculty/dr-heather-hallen-adams Home: Nebraska Full name: Heather E. Hallen-Adams Contact: hhallen-adams2@unl.edu

HALLING, ROY

Roy E. Halling is Curator of Mycology, Institute of Systematic Botany, at the New York Botanical Garden. He is interested generally in mushroom systematics and mycogeography with particular focus on Boletes.

Web: https://www.nybg.org/person/roy-halling Home: New York Full name: Roy E. Halling Contact: rhalling@nybg.org

HALLOCK, ROB

One of my favorite topics for talks, and my professional specialty is "the taste of mushrooms." I would also be interested in speaking on the Rocky Mountain National Park Mycoblitz, "how to conduct a mycoblitz," or "snowbank mushrooms." I’d pretty much go anywhere if the transportation is paid for.

Web: http://www.skidmore.edu/psychology/faculty/hallock.php Home: Colorado Full name: Rob Hallock Contact: rhallock@skidmore.edu Phone: 518-580-5740

HEMMES, DON

I'm working on the gasteromycetes of Hawaii. My article on stinkhorns of Hawaii will be in the summer issue of FUNGI. I'm ready to send a manuscript off with 20 species of earth stars, two described as new. I'm always available to give a talk on Hawaiian mushrooms, but it would have to fit in with one of our trips to see relatives in the midwest. Let me know if you need a speaker and we'll see if we could fit it in. I would love to go to a NAMA foray.

Web: https://www.hilo.hawaii.edu/directory/view/138 Home: Hawaii Full name: Don Hemmes Contact: hemmes@hawaii.edu

HIBBETT, DAVID

My lab studies evolutionary biology and ecology of Fungi, principally Basidiomycota (mushroom-forming fungi and relatives). Much of our work is focused on molecular systematics and the uses of phylogenetic trees for studying the evolution of morphological and ecological characters. Other projects involve fungal genomics and the evolution of decay enzymes. I’m particularly interested in “lentinoid” fungi, a group of distantly-related mushrooms that includes shiitake. Other interests include aquatic and marine mushrooms and paleomycology.

Web: http://www.clarku.edu/faculty/profiles/david-hibbett/ Home: Massachusetts Full name: David Hibbett Contact: dhibbett@clarku.edu Phone: 508-793-7332

HUDLER, GEORGE

I would be happy to lecture to clubs on one of two potential topics (1) Great Moments in History and How Fungi Got Us There (an informative but somewhat tongue-in-cheek rendition of the role of fungi in human affairs) and (2) Magical Mushrooms, Mischievous Molds (this latter, an overview of my course with interesting tidbits about fungi of all kinds; not just the larger sporocarps. I'm most available from September-December in odd years (e.g. 2009, 2011, etc) but can consider other invites.

Web: http://pppmb.cals.cornell.edu/people/george-hudler Home: New York Full name: George Hudler Contact: gwh2@cornell.edu

HYATT, CHAD

I'm a chef and author of The Mushroom Hunter's Kitchen. I've been doing talks, cooking presentations, dinners, and leading walks for mushroom clubs around the country since 2015. I like to teach about edibles and cooking mushrooms and have worked with clubs in 10+ states. I'm based in California, but spend time on the road doing mushroom events most years.

Home: CA Full name: Chad Hyatt Contact: chadmhyatt@gmail.com Phone: (650) 450-0073

JUSTICE, JAY

I have delivered presentations and served as a field mycologist at conferences sponsored by several NAMA affiliated clubs including the Gulf States Mycological Society, the Missouri Mycological Society and the Texas Mycological Society. I can present general programs about mushrooms designed for beginners as well as one focusing on mushroom toxins. I have done one-day workshops consisting of a foray followed by mushroom identification and a program. Such workshops were oriented toward teaching individuals mushroom identification skills. Programs that I have done on specific types of mushrooms include presentations on the genus Amanita in the South and Southeast areas of the U.S. as well as Southern boletes. I am willing to travel and speak to mushroom clubs if I can be reimbursed for the cost of such transportation. Like most mycologists I greatly enjoy traveling to new areas and meeting other mushroom enthusiasts as well as seeing new mushrooms. My mushroom/fungal identification skills are the highest in the South and Southeast regions of the U.S.

Home: Arkansas Contact: Justice@aristotle.net

KENDRICK, BRYCE

I am willing to visit most locations in the Pacific Northwest. I am not an agaricologist, though I am familiar with the more common genera, but if people have more general interests I would be willing to fill in (have done so in the past). I would be happy to talk about the following topics:

Moulds in your home and what to do about them
Life: What's it all about, and where do mushrooms fit in?
Fungi - Common, Rare and In-between. How can we tell?
Fungi of the Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii)
Macroscopic-microscopic: why it's a good thing to have a microscope
Seashore Life of the NorthWest

Web: https://www.mycolog.com Home: British Columbia, Canada Contact: bryce@mycolog.com

KENNEDY, PETER

I am happy to speak at NAMA events and for local mushrooming clubs. I have given talks at MSSF (California), OMS (Oregon), NATS (Oregon), PSMS (Washington), PNW Key Council (Washington). I am a fungal ecologist broadly interested in plant-microbe interactions. My research has focused mostly on the ecology of the ectomycorrhizal symbiosis, especially how fungal communities are affected by factors such as competition, host specificity, and biogeography. I am generally busy with teaching commitments in the fall semester, but can travel locally during that time.

Web: https://www.cbs.umn.edu/labs/kennedy Home: St. Paul, Minnesota Contact: kennedyp@umn.edu Phone: 612-624-8519

LOCKWOOD, TAYLOR

Taylor F. Lockwood, Mushroom Photographer http://www.fungiphoto.com http://www.kingdomoffungi.com For current show and tour information please visit:

Web: http://www.taylorlockwood.com Phone: 352-383-8636

MARLEY, GREG A

I have been collecting, studying, eating, growing and teaching mushrooms for 5 decades. Being in nature exploring fungi offers a doorway into the healing balm that the forest offers. I have shared my knowledge of mushrooms and experience through walks, talks and classes held across Maine, New England and beyond. I'm the author the award-winning book Chanterelle Dreams, Amanita Nightmares; The Love Lore and Mystic of Mushrooms, (Chelsea Green, 2010). As a volunteer mushroom identification consultant to Poison Centers across New England, I have provided expertise in mushroom poisoning cases for over 2 decades. For a number of years I have been frequent lecturer to college groups and a mushrooming foray faculty member as well as teaching a on range of topics with durations from 90 minutes to full days, weekends and a 5 day intensive identification seminar. When not mushrooming, I work as a mental health expert specializing in suicide prevention and addressing traumatic grief.

Home: Maine Full name: Greg A Marley Contact: GregAMarley@gmail.com Phone: 207-319-4556

MATHENY, BRANDON

I am available to provide talks to NAMA on basidiomycete systematics, evolution, biogeography, and teaching the fungal tree of life. My current research focus is on the mushroom family Inocybaceae, which is proving to be considerably more diverse throughout the world.

Web: https://eeb.utk.edu/people/p-brandon-matheny/ Home: Tennessee Contact: pmatheny@utk.edu

McCLENEGHAN, COLEMAN

I can present several topics, including Mushrooming for Beginners, Systematics, Biodiversity Studies, Historical Mycology and Mycophagy. I am willing to travel great distances to present talks/lead forays as long as I can make it work with my family and cover expenses.

Web: http://biology.appstate.edu/faculty-staff/247 Home: North Carolina Contact: mccleneghanc@appstate.edu

METHVEN, ANDREW

I’ve served as a foray mycologist and speaker at numerous NAMA and local club events over the last thirty years. I’ve also hosted workshops in Michigan, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and currently teach a two-week summer course every other year at the Highlands Biological Station in North Carolina.

My background is in systematics and ecology of fleshy fungi with a specialization in Lactarius and Clavariadelphus. I’ve given talks on mushrooms for beginners, mushroom identification, poisonous fungi, and just plain cool fungi. I’m willing to serve as a foray mycologist in the Midwest and the Appalachian mountains. I’m flexible with regards to the kinds of talks I can present and willing to travel anywhere my expenses can be covered.

Dr. Methven is Chair in the Department of Biology at Savannah State University.

Home: Georgia Contact: methvena@savannahstate.edu

MICHELOTTI, JOHN

John Michelotti is the founder of Catskill Fungi which empowers people with fungi through outdoor educational classes, cultivation courses, mushroom art, and mushroom health extracts. John is a former President of the Mid-Hudson Mycological Association. He serves as Medicinal Mushroom Committee Chair and is a Poison Control Consultant for the North American Mycological Association (NAMA) where he started the NAMA Virtual Mushroom Book Club. He was chosen by the Catskill Center as a "Steward of the Catskills" for his contribution to the environment. His goal is to educate and inspire people to pair with fungi to improve the environment, their health, and communities. Presentations and workshops include: Fungi101, Medicinal Mushrooms, Low-tech Cultivation, Log Inoculation, Myco-Technologies, How to Grow a Small Sustainable Mushroom Business, and more.

Web: https://catskillfungi.com/ Home: NY Contact: john@catskillfungi.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-michelotti-9139358 Phone: 520.603.4191

MILLICAN, ALISHA

Alisha is the President of the Alabama Mushroom Club, on the Executive Board of the North American Mycological Association where she serves on the Voucher Committee and the Nominating Committee. She is a Volunteer Coordinator with the Fungal Diversity Survey and manages the Southeast Rare Fungi Challenge. She is also the Assistant Curator of Fungi for the University of West Alabama. Alisha is comfortable IDing fungi on the East Coast of the US and have served on the ID team for the annual NAMA Foray 2023, the Texas Mushroom Festival, the Alabama Mushroom Festival and the Ohio Mushroom Festival. She leads dozens of forays a year and also loves to lead events for kids. She has several presentations available and is very comfortable presenting over Zoom and other online platforms. Available presentations include: +Southeast Rare Fungi Challenge +The History of Women in Mycology +For the Love of Mushrooms; Citizen Science for the Mycophile +Fungus Among Us; An Intro to Fungi for the Home Gardener +Fungal Microscopy for the Beginner (this is really designed to be a hands-on class, but can be adjusted to be done as a presentation). Please inquire about additional presentations available that are not listed here.

Home: Alabama Full name: Alisha Millican Contact: mycologymaven@gmail.com Phone: 706-978-0138

MILLMAN, LAWRENCE

As a mycologist, ethnographer, and Arctic explorer, I've been known to give presentations about the non-culinary uses of fungi by northern Native people, fungi in the high latitudes, and rare and unusual fungi, i.e., species that require a bit of exploring to find. Likewise, I'm willing to talk about polypores, crust fungi, and fungal ecology. I've led forays for various groups not only in the US, but also in Canada, Iceland, Belize, Honduras, and Greenland. In addition to papers and articles about fungi, I've written two books on the subject: Fascinating Fungi of New England and Giant Polypores & Stoned Reindeer: Rambles in Kingdom Fungi.

Web: http://www.lawrencemillman.com Home: Cambridge, Massachusetts Contact: l.millman@comcast.net

ODELL, THOM

I am happy to talk about my diversity work from Olympic National Park and related topics, as well as bioremediation and biodiversity prospecting, and my work conducting regional surveys for rare fungi. I also regularly teach introductory mushroom ID and give lectures on general fungal ecology.

I have over twenty five years experience collecting, studying, growing and eating mushrooms. I have many publications including scholarly papers, books, chapters and field guides and conducted field ecological studies in Olympic National Park as a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow. I currently am Research Biologist for Nature Tech Nursery, Langley, BC where I work on growing plants in test tubes and employing fungal and bacterial symbionts to grow diffiicult to propagate plants.

As for speakers bureau and foray mycologist, I am up for going anywhere if travel expenses are covered. I would be especially interested in Hawai'i.

Home: British Columbia, Canada Contact: Dr_funguy@hotmail.com

OSMUNDSON, TODD

I am currently Assistant Professor in Biology at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. My research interests include fungal diversity, evolution, ecology and conservation. Recent projects have employed field studies and molecular genetics to study mycorrhizal fungi in high-elevation habitats, phylogenetic studies of the boletes (especially Tylopilus), and responses of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to global change. My current research is on the Moorea Biocode Project, an effort to taxonomically characterize the biodiversity of a model Pacific tropical ecosystem. I have presented programs for COMA, BAMS and MSSF.

I am available to serve as a speaker or foray mycologist for NAMA and local mushroom club events. Potential topics for talks include conservation of fungal biodiversity, a role for mushroom societies in biodiversity science, evolutionary concepts and the changing classification of mushroom-forming fungi, mushroom systematics and taxonomy (including hands-on workshops and short courses), and topics pertaining to the research projects mentioned above.

Web: http://www.uwlax.edu/profile/tosmundson/ Home: Wisconsin Contact: tosmundson@uwlax.edu

PEAY, KABIR

My research is on the species diversity and ecological assembly of ectomycorrhizal fungal communities, as well as the effects of ectomycorrhizal fungi on plant physiology. I've worked primarily in coastal California and a little bit in Malaysian Borneo. I don't have any places or times that are blacked out for speaking, but I'm fairly busy so speaking engagements would probably have to be decided on an ad-hoc basis.

Web: http://www.stanford.edu/~kpeay/ Home: California Contact: kpeay@stanford.edu

PLISCHKE III, JOHN

I give at least 30 mushroom programs a year, consisting of both walks with collecting with table identifications and typically proceeded or followed by a mushroom slide show. Some of my current slide shows are:

Edible Morel Mushrooms and Entries, 2 parts
Morel Mushrooms and their Poisonous Lookalikes
Carnivorous and Cannibalistic Fungi: Mushrooms that grow on other mushrooms, people, spiders, insects, etc.
Mushroom Photography
Weird Wacky and Beautiful Fungi
Beginner Mushroom ID
Mushrooms of Hawaii

I have also done a Mushroom Cultivation Workshop (not a slide show) with take-home mushroom kits that can be provided or log cultivation, as well as any other shows on other topics can be easily put together. I give talks the entire year and provided I do not have a talk already scheduled for the same date, I am available anytime. Willing to travel.

Home: Pennsylvania Full name: John Plischke III Contact: fungi01@aol.com

PRINGLE, ANNE

Currently I am exploring the ecology and evolution of introduced and invasive fungi, and the biomechanics of fungal spore dispersal. I am also interested in the conservation biology of fungi. Local(midwest) travel will be easiest for me!

Web: http://www.botany.wisc.edu/pringlelab/ Home: Wisconsin Full name: Anne Pringle Contact: apringle2@wisc.edu

QUARK, MANDIE

Mandie is a creative science communicator and presenter at mycology events across the country. A researcher, molecular biologist, and grant writer by training, currently Mandie serves as the Communications Lead for the Fungal Diversity Survey (FunDiS). Her field work focuses around finding, photographing, and collecting fungi from the wild and preforming the work of DNA sequencing. Her classes are specifically created for mycologists, especially those with intermediate to advanced skill sets. Examples of the classes she offers include: Chemistry for Mycologists, Molecular Biology for Mycolgists, Mycopharmacognosy, The Chemistry of Cordyceps, Practical DNA Barcoding of Fungi, and Winter Mushrooms.

Web: www.mushroommadman.com Home: North Carolina Full name: Mandie Quark Contact: ladyoftherainforest@gmail.com Instagram: @mushroom_madman Phone: 410-493-8648

RHOADES, FRED

I can speak on a variety of topics:

Mushroom identification - review of major groups and genera (using PNW species but could be expanded to include wider range)*
Edible mushrooms and non-edible/poisonous look-alikes*
Mushroom ecology with a bit of ID thrown in*
Introduction to lichens*
Lichen identification (NW species)*
Life before flowers - general introduction to cryptogamic "botany" including fungi, algae, lichens, slime molds, bryophytes, ferns, etc.*
Review of nematode-trapping fungi (with IWF movies)

* For smaller audiences (<75), these talks can be in full color, zooming stereo using a dual projector system and polarized glasses (I can provide but need some support for upkeep); a special reflective screen is needed which I can bring when close to home. Otherwise, I use Keynote (Apple’s version of PowerPoint) on a MacBook I bring.

Home: Washington Full name: Fred Rhoades Contact: fmrhoades@comcast.net

ROSE, DAVID

I am an archivist, past president of the Connecticut-Westchester Mycological Association (COMA), member of NAMA’s Education Committee, and contributing editor to FUNGI Magazine. My column “Notes from Underground” appears regularly in FUNGI. I am available to give talks in the eastern U.S. and will consider other locations depending on the circumstances. My presentations include Mycology is Mushrooming (introduction to mycology); History of Mycology; Literary Natural History; Mushrooms in Literature and Poetry; Mushrooms in Popular Culture; Myxomycetes; Mycologists of the 19th and 20th Centuries; Nomenclature and Taxonomy. I also give readings of poetry and literary texts on various mycological and botanical subjects. My earlier “Notes from Underground” articles may be found on the Connecticut-Westchester Mycological Association (COMA) website.

Home: New York Full name: David Rose Contact: tomashunders@aol.com

RUST, DAVID

David Rust is past president of NAMA, and co-founder of the Bay Area Mycological Society. He coordinated the Mycoblitz science forays at Point Reyes National Seashore (PRNS) from 2005-2007. He was an active participant in the Yosemite Fungal Survey. For over a decade, David has followed news and research about the devastating forest pathogen Phytophthora ramorum, which causes the disease known as Sudden Oak Death. He has given talks to mycological societies in California, Oregon and Washington, DC, and is a regular speaker at the PRNS Fungus Fairs. David has a new presentation on mycorrhizal fungi and their vital interplay with plants and soil bacteria.

Web: http://bayareamushrooms.org/ Home: California Full name: David Rust Contact: david.rust@sbcglobal.net

SCHAECHTER, MOSELIO

Though my yen for traveling is diminished, I am willing to be considered for talks in two categories: The history of mushrooms, especially through our efforts to keep up the Registry of Mushrooms in Works of Art; and my blog that includes fungi (click on "fungi" under categories, or follow this link). It includes quite a bit on aspects of fungal biology that I have found exciting and which have also served as the basis for talks.

I have given talks to most clubs from Southern California to Oregon, so these folks know about me. For other areas, it depends on where and when.

Web: http://schaechter.asmblog.org/schaechter/ Home: California Full name: Moselio Schaecter Contact: mschaech@sunstroke.sdsu.edu

SCHILLING, JONATHAN

I am Associate Professor in the Department of Bioproducts & Biosystems Engineering, and adjunct faculty in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Minnesota. I am happy to speak about fungi, their role in decomposing wood and their potential in biotechnology. I am a biologist who needs to brush up his field ID skills. I can't travel very far from the Twin Cities, but I do travel around alot for meetings and field research, so could coordinate something.

Home: St. Paul, Minnesota Full name: Jonathan Schilling Contact: schillin@umn.edu

SCOTT, JAMES

My primary interest is in interactions between humans (and other animals including insects) and fungi. Much of my work relates to moulds and other microfungi, (like moulds that produce penicillin that grow in houses, or sooty moulds that grow around distilleries). I also serve as the regional expert on mushroom poisonings for Southern Ontario, and have been involved in a number of interesting and serious cases. One of my side interests is ethnomycology, particularly folkloric mushroom edibility tests.

Home: Ontario Canada Full name: James Scott Contact: james.scott@utoronto.ca Phone: 416-946-8778

SHERNOFF, LEON

Leon Shernoff is the editor of Mushroom, the Journal of Wild Mushrooming (www.mushroomthejournal.com). A former president of the Illinois Mycological Association, he has spoken and served as a foray mycologist at mushroom clubs in Washington, Oregon, California, Connecticut, Maryland, Missouri, and of course Illinois.

He has spoken on local edibles, specific groups of mushrooms (mostly boletes) and has a humorous but instructive introduction to how scientific names work.

Web: http://www.mushroomthejournal.com/ Home: Chicago, Illinois Full name: Leon Shernoff Contact: leon@mushroomthejournal.com Phone: (773) 288-2873

SIMARD, SUZANNE

I like speaking on mycorrhizal networks, mycorrhizal succession in forests, and the role of mycorrhizae in ecological resilience to disturbance or climate change. My availability is highly idiosyncratic, but I am least likely to be available from Sept to April when I am teaching at the University of British Columbia.

Home: British Columbia, Canada Full name: Suzanne Simard Contact: Suzanne.simard@ubc.ca

SMITH, DIANNA

Dianna has conducted mycology workshops at Eagle Hill Institute in Maine and for the Pioneer Valley Mycological Association in western Massachusetts. She gives presentations and guided walks in NY, CT, VT and MA for universities, mycology clubs, state parks, garden clubs, nature preserves and sanctuaries on various subjects for novices including: Edible Mushrooms and Their Poisonous Lookalikes; The Ecological Functions of Fungi; Major Morphological Groups of Fungi; Mycorrhizal Mushrooms; Polypores: Fungi for All Seasons; The Boletales; Russula, Lactarius and Lactifluus; Keeping Abreast of Fungi Name Changes and Taxonomy; Amanitas and Tips on Successful Mushroom Photography.

Web: http://www.fungikingdom.net/ Home: Northampton, Massachusetts Full name: Dianna Smith Contact: diannasmith@comcast.net Phone: 413-727-3369

SMITH, MATTHEW E.

I am currently an assistant professor at the University of Florida in the Department of Plant Pathology. I also serve as the curator of the University of Florida Fungal Herbarium. I am broadly interested in fungi and have studied fungal ecology, evolution and systematics. My main areas of interest are ectomycorrhizal fungi (both ecology and systematics) and the systematics of truffles and truffle-like fungi, but I have also worked a bit on wood decay fungi and nematode-trapping fungi. I love a chance to get out in the woods and look for fungi and I am also pleased to present talks on ectomyocorrhizal ecology. In the recent past I have worked on ectomycorrhizal systems in Guyana, Chile-Argentina, China, and Mexico, so I have plenty of good material that is interesting for all sorts of mycophiles.

Home: Gainesville, Florida Contact: trufflesmith@ufl.edu Phone: (352-273-2837)

STAMETS, PAUL

I am available for speaking to mycological and botanical organizations on the following subjects:

How Mushrooms Can Help Save World: Solutions from the Underground
Mycoremediation and Mycofiltration: Employing mycelium to capture/degrade chemical/biological pollutants
Psilocybin Mushrooms of North America
Gardening with Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms

Dusty Yao arranges my lecture schedules and has a simple form for fielding inquiries. Due to high demand, we are often booking more than one year in advance.

Web: https://www.fungi.com Home: Washington Full name: Dusty Yao Contact: dusty.y@fungi.com

STURGEON, WALT

I could speak on a variety of topics including Lactarius, Amanita, mushroom odors, Boletes, wax caps, habitats, lignicolous agarics, Algonquin Fungi and several other topics. I also can serve as foray mycologist in NE North America and the Appalachians.

Home: Ohio Full name: Walt Sturgeon Contact: mycowalt@comcast.net

TRAPPE, MATT

I am pleased to give presentations to mycological groups and classes, and enjoy leading or participating in fungal forays. My specialty is the ecology and taxonomy (identification) of North America’s native truffles (I am not an expert in truffle farming), but I’m also pretty handy with mushrooms, plants, lichens, and bringing the whole picture together. I’ve given numerous presentations on the basics of fungal ecology, fungal evolution, lichens, and forest ecosystems, and I’m happy to put together a presentation to address a specifically requested topic. I strive to make my presentations humorous, visually intensive, and accessible to beginners. Several of my slideshows are available for educational purposes on the North American Truffling Society website, www.natruffling.org/links.htm under the “Presentations” heading. I love to travel and am always excited to meet new people and see new places.

Web: https://www.natruffling.org Home: Oregon Contact: trappem@gmail.com

TRESTRAIL, JOHN

John Trestrail is a life member of NAMA and a member of the New Mexico Mycological Society. He served as the Chairman of NAMA's Toxicology Committee from 1990-1999. He is one of the contributing authors to the book Handbook of Mushroom Poisoning: Diagnosis and Treatment, by Spoerke and Rumack, published in 1994. He has presented many lectures on mushrooms both in the USA, Europe, and Asia. Mr. Trestrail served as a volunteer with the United States Peace Corps from 1968-1970. He is a practicing boarded toxicologist, and for many years, was a visiting instructor at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on the subject of criminal poisoning. For 33 years (1976-2009), he served as the Managing Director of one of the nation’s certified regional poison centers. He has been honored as a Fellow by the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, and is a Diplomate, by examination, of the American Board of Applied Toxicology. Mr. Trestrail founded the Center for the Study of Criminal Poisoning, where he now serves as the Director, as well as the Toxicological History Society. He has been featured in multiple episodes on The Discovery Channel, The History Channel, The Learning Channel, and PBS. He is the author of the pioneering book Criminal Poisoning: An Investigational Guide for Law Enforcement, Toxicologists, Forensic Scientists, and Attorneys, published by Humana Press, in 2000 (2nd edition in 2007). He is also one of the co-editors of the popular book Toxicology Secrets, published by Hanley and Belfus Publishers, in 2001. His third book The Poison Quiz Book 2nd Ed., was published by McGraw-Hill, in 2006.

Web: https://www.johntrestrail.com Home: New Mexico Contact: john.trestrail3rd@gmail.com

TRUDELL, STEVE

I can give talks on topics such as mushroom ecology, mushrooms and the environment, mycorrhizas, mushroom diversity and taxonomy, and surveys of genera or other groups of mushrooms. The content of most of my talks can be geared to the audience’s level of fungal knowledge and experience, from absolute beginners to grizzled mushroom hunters to those with backgrounds in university-level science. For forays, I can also do workshops on mushroom ID and photography.

I am available depending on commitments I have already made. My busiest times usually are mid-August through early September and most of October. I am willing to go pretty much anywhere, and greatly prefer visiting areas during their mushroom season!

Home: Seattle, Washington Full name: Steve Trudell Contact: mycecol@u.washington.edu

VELLINGA, ELSE

Biodiversity and conservation are topics close to my heart. Mushrooms in all their shapes and adaptations keep me wondering and wandering.

My work focuses on the systematics of the beautiful parasol mushrooms in the genera Lepiota, Leucoagaricus and Leucocoprinus, with sidepaths into Pluteus, Helvella and some other nice genera. The main questions I try to answer are: which species are there in California, how do we recognize them and how are they related to each other and to the other members of their respective families.

I am happy to talk on recent developments in mushroom classifications, fungal conservation efforts, and a variety of other topics.

And lastly, I am an avid mushroom dyer and knitter.

Home: California Full name: Else Vellinga Contact: macrolepiota@comcast.net Podcast: https://www.welcometomushroomhour.com/blogs/podcasts/ep-103-exploring-fungal-taxonomy-phylogeny-the-future-of-conservation-feat-else-vellinga

VIESS, DEBBIE

I am a biologist, writer and artist who has been obsessed with mushrooms in general and amanitas in particular for over twenty years. I am co-founder of the Bay Area Mycological Society and teach field mycology classes through a variety of venues. Some of my past talks to mushroom clubs, NAMA forays and to the general public have included:

Amanitas of California
Amanitas: Delicious to Deadly
Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms of Northern California
Mushrooms in the Garden and Woods
Poisonous Mushrooms and their Toxins
Zen and the Art of Mushroom Hunting

My biography can be found on the BAMS website. My writings appear frequently on the BAMS Yahoo discussion group. I’d be glad to speak to any mushroom club or foray, if my transportation costs are covered. I love visiting new areas, meeting new people and learning new mushrooms!

Web: https://www.bayareamushrooms.org Home: Oakland, California Full name: Debbie Viess Contact: amanitarita@sbcglobal.net

VILGALYS, RYTAS

My departmental web site lists my main research interests, and I'd be happy to speak on a variety of topics relevant to amateur mycology for NAMA clubs around the country. I am also most pleased when invited to serve as a foray mycologist.

Web: https://scholars.duke.edu/person/fungi Home: North Carolina Full name: Rytas Vilgalys Contact: fungirv@gmail.com

WHITFORD, LEE

My programs, walks and classes are for beginners to help with observation skills which are the first steps to mushroom identification. Through a series of slides and samples I do an interactive program on fungal characteristics such as gills or pores, cap textures, sizes and colors as well as habitat and plant associations. Longer classes practice using keys and delve deeper into fungal ecology. I briefly touch on edibility, but it is not the focus of my classes or talks.

I am an Environmental Educator with a background in Geology and Science Education. In 1988 I took my first mushroom identification class and began my fascination with mycology. In 1989 a small group of us started Northwest Mushroomers Association in Bellingham, WA. I started teaching beginning Identification classes in 1994 and currently teach through North Cascades Institute and Seattle Public Utility District. I am a former president of the Pacific Northwest Key Council.

Home: Port Townsend, WA Full name: Lee Whitford Contact: leewhitford1@gmail.com

WILSON, ANDREW

My research focus explores the evolution of diversity in mushroom forming fungi and their relatives. It is fascinating to me that fungi are one of the most diverse groups of multicellular organisms, but exist in a microbial world that is practically unknown to us. To explore the historical and functional diversity of fungi I use phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences to address the factors that are involved in the migration of cosmopolitan fungi. Historical biogeography of fungi is virtually unexplored. My research has served to explain how particular lineages of Boletes originated in the tropics of Southeast Asia and China and into the New World. In addition, I have used phylogenies to address how ectomycorrhizal relationships have developed between specific groups of mushroom-forming fungi and their host plants, and also how the evolution of puffballs differs from that of their mushroom relatives.

Potential discussion topics:

Tropical diversity of mushroom forming fungi
Macrofungi of Tibet: picture voyage through a forbidden land and the discovery of new species of ectomycorrhizal fungi
The voyage of paleotropical ectomycorrhizal relationships to the new world
Once you go gasteroid, you don't go back. Evaluating the question of whether puffballs will dominate the world of mushroom forming fungi.

Home: Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana Full name: Andrew Wilson, PhD Contact: awwilson@purdue.edu

WINKLER, DANIEL

Having been in love with mushrooms since childhood I managed to bend my career as an ecologist and geographer focused on High Asia towards researching mushrooms and rural income in Tibet, Himalayas and China. I am fascinated by ethno-mycology, the role mushrooms play in different cultures. I write about mushrooms and frequently do presentations combining my photography with an often entertaining blend of stories and scientific information. Furthermore, I organize MushRoaming tours to Tibet, Bhutan, Amazon, Colombia and Europe. I love to travel. My www.mushroaming.com webpages showcase some of my fungal work. Selected talks:

Tibet's Most Marvelous Mushrooms
Tales of Tibet's Fungal Miracle - Cordyceps sinensis - Caterpillar Fungus
Flavorful, Fancy & Foul Fungi from Far Flung Places
Choice Edible Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest
Amazing Amazon Mushrooms

Web: https://www.Mushroaming.com Home: Washington Full name: Daniel Winkler Contact: me@danielwinkler.com