NOTE: All presentations will be held in the Squalicum Boathouse located in Zuanich Point Park in Bellingham, Washington.

From Mushrooms to Molecules: How DNA Is Transforming Fungal Discovery

Presented by Sigrid Jakob

DNA sequencing has been revolutionizing what we know about fungi and our local fungal diversity. And best of all, it’s a technology that’s no longer limited to research institutions but is at the disposal of regular mycophiles. Learn what fungal DNA sequencing is, why it matters, and how that data is being applied in all kinds of interesting ways with a special focus on the Pacific north west. We’ll also share lots of practical tips, tools and resources on how to get involved, whether by submitting specimens for sequencing, exploring your local fungal diversity, becoming a sequence validator, setting up your own lab or even contributing to the discovery and description of species new to science.

New Discoveries in the Taxonomy of Psilocybin Mushrooms & Tryptamine Fungi

Presented by Alan Rockefeller

Research on psilocybin producing fungi is changing quickly. New species are being discovered, familiar species are being renamed, and DNA and chemical analysis are revealing relationships that could not be seen through morphology alone.
Alan presents recent discoveries from North America, South America, Africa, and New Zealand, including species found in city parks, remote forests, and high-elevation habitats. He explains how DNA sequencing is reshaping the classification of psilocybin-containing genera, how citizen scientists are contributing to taxonomic research, and what recent chemical studies are revealing about alkaloids, terpenes, and other fungal compounds.

Talk Title TBD

Presented by Eric DeChaine

Talk description TBD

Meet the Presenters

Sigrid Jakob

Sigrid Jakob is a New York City–based amateur mycologist with a specialization in dung fungi and Incoybe and former president of the New York Mycological Society. Her work combines field observation, microscopy and DNA sequencing, with a focus on documenting overlooked fungal diversity in urban and natural habitats. She is particularly interested in taxonomy, and making specialist knowledge accessible to a broader community.

Alan Rockefeller

Alan Rockefeller is a mycologist, photographer, and DNA-barcoding specialist who has photographed more than 3,000 species of fungi. He has spent more than two decades documenting mushrooms throughout North and South America and has coauthored scientific papers describing new species of Psilocybe and bioluminescent Mycena. Alan has also contributed more than 400,000 identifications to iNaturalist and Mushroom Observer.

Eric DeChaine

Eric DeChaine is a naturalist at heart, striving to better understand the natural world: the diversity of species, their environments, and their interactions. Eric is currently a Professor of Biology at Western Washington University.