Contributors

Founder of Biodiversity Collective

Graham Steinruck

Graham is the owner of Biodiversity Collective, a chef, and a community naturalist who wants to share his passion with others to promote the conservation of our natural world.

Event Management

Carole Wellmann

​Carole studied environmental studies and permaculture from Naropa University. She currently works in marketing and communications as a project manager in Denver with a passion for fungi and nature.

DNA Sequencing

Harte Singer

​Harte is the Sequencing Program Director for the Fungal Diversity Survey where he manages several DNA barcoding projects exploring the mushrooms of California through DNA-colored glasses. He is also a MS candidate in the Perry lab at CSU East Bay investigating the genomes of fungal endophytes - fungi that live in healthy plant leaves. His foray into the world of mycology began during his previous career as a chef with the age-old question: "is it edible?" The questions have changed over the years, but he still enjoys foraging and cooking mushrooms with friends and family. In his free time he runs Dikarya LLC, an artisanal DNA barcoding company.

Mycologist

Dr. Amy Honan

Amy is a mycologist studying fungal biodiversity, evolution, ecology, and biogeography. For her B.S., she studied the population genetics of the fungal root pathogen Armillaria. Her master’s thesis investigated the evolution of the saprotrophic fungal genus Tetrapyrgos. Amy’s Ph.D. dissertation explored the ecology, evolution and diversity of the stalked puffball genus Tulostoma. She is the co-founder of the Crested Butte Botanic Gardens and teaches mycology and fungal ecology for Oregon State University. Her current work involves documenting fungal biodiversity and ecology and understanding heavy metal tolerance in Suillus.

Data Wrangler & Curator

Oliver Fillaluna

​Oliver (he/him) formerly worked as fungal collection assistant at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture in Seattle, WA. He just wrapped up their job as lab manager for the Forest Mycobiome Lab but remain an active member of lab activities. Oliver's love of fungi started during their undergrad at Montana State University, where he worked with Dr. Cathy Cripps and received a B.S. in organismal biology. He then went to the University of Washington to complete a M.A. in Museum Studies during which they designed a digital repository for mycological archives and histories. Oliver is also an active member of the mycological enthusiasts communities through such groups as the North American Mycological Association, Puget Sound Mycological Society, Stuntz Foundation, and now the Biodiversity Collective. Some through lines of their work include data wrangling, collection management, history of the myco-community, and history of mycology in the US.

Mycologist

Jack Johnson

​Jack Johnson is mycologist from the Pacific Northwest currently pursuing his master's degree at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He has conducted field research across the United States, Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago. His current research focuses on the biodiversity and biogeography of Hawaiian fungi. 

Coordinator & Local Guide

Humphrey Hernandez Jr.

​Born and raised on the island of Kauaʻi, Humphrey is an amateur naturalist and fungi enthusiast. He spends much of his free time on hiking trails studying the biodiversity of the island. 

Founder of Mālama Mushrooms

Benjamin Lillibridge

​Based in Kona, Hawaiʻi, Ben Lillibridge is the founder of Mālama Mushrooms, a family-owned, superfood mushroom company for health & wellness, as well as the Hawaii Fungi Project, a non-profit, community-science initiative devoted to the study & preservation of the mushrooms of Hawaiʻi.

DNA Validation

Sharon Squazzo

Sharon Squazzo is a molecular biologist based in Bellingham, WA. who is passionate about studying mycology and utilizing her DNA sequencing and analysis background to document fungal biodiversity. She is the membership coordinator for the Northwest Mushroomers Association and enjoys participating in community science projects.

Mycologist

Dr. Brian Perry

​Dr. Brian A. Perry is a Professor of Biology at California State University East Bay, and Director of the HAY Fungarium. He received his Master's Degree from San Francisco State University under the guidance of Dr. Dennis E. Desjardin, and his Ph.D. from Harvard University where he studied with Dr. Donald H. Pfister. Brian has been studying fungi since 1995, and has published over 45 papers in scientific journals. In addition to studying the evolution of fungal bioluminescence, he also conducts research on mushrooms and other fungi throughout the Pacific, the assembly and biogeography of island fungal communities, endophytic fungi, and the systematics of Mycena and allied genera. Brian teaches several mycology courses at Cal State East Bay and the Sierra Nevada Field Campus.

Botanist 

Kevin Faccenda

Kevin was born in Pennsylvania and spent his early years hiking and appreciating the forests. He completed an undergraduate degree at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, where he researched the botanical diversity and history of Lancaster County and became interested in more cryptic plants such as Carex. Kevin is currently a graduate researcher at the University of Hawai‘i, studying invasive species across the islands with a focus on grasses. In his free time, he also studies the native flora of Hawai‘i and helps identify plants on iNaturalist.

Mycologist

Lauren Ré

Lauren Ré is a mycologist and nature educator known for her expertise in the Waxy Cap fungi family (Hygrophoraceae). She is currently pursuing her master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. Lauren studied cryptogams—including fungi, lichens, and bryophytes—at The Evergreen State College, where she earned her B.S. She is devoted to equipping curious naturalists with resources to better study and connect with biodiversity.