Understanding Fungi Series with Ryan

Fungi are a constant companion in the world we inhabit.

Whether we are eating them, admiring their otherworldly appearances, or completely unaware of their presence, they impact the day-to-day flow of our lives. Because of their diversity and often secretive nature, it can be hard to know where to approach learning more about who they are and what they do.

If you have ever wished you could take a class to learn more about the mushrooms in your yard, the fuzz growing on your bread, or what actually goes on in a “microbiome” this series of talks is for you. Consisting of six different lectures, each will present information at a level suitable for non-specialists and the general public.

Lectures are designed to be stand alone, and it is not necessary to attend all of them. Although this is certainly encouraged. See below for topics covered.

Week 1: Introduction to the world of mushrooms, molds and friends

Week 2: Fungi making fungi: How diversity is created and maintained

Week 3: “What’s up underground?” Part 1: Talking trees, nutrient cycling and other interactions

Week 4: “What’s up underground?” Part 2: The influence of fungi on the food we eat

Week 5: “Get to work!”: Uses of fungi in modern life

Week 6: Parting is such sweet sorrow: Cordyceps, Last of Us and other disease ecology issues

About your teacher, Ryan Kepler; I developed an early fascination for the natural world, chasing frogs, fish and crawdads in the creeks of the neighborhood where I grew up. Over time collecting critters evolved into collecting degrees, culminating in a PhD from Oregon State University where I studied the evolution and ecology of insect pathogenic fungi. Subsequent work took me to Cornell University, the United States Department of Agriculture in Beltsville Maryland and commercial microbiological testing laboratories. During this time, I published work describing diversity of fungi important for the biological control of agricultural pests and the ways in which farm management practices alter communities of soil fungi, bacteria and nematodes. I have also explored the ecology of invasive woodwasps and the fungal disease they spread to pine trees. Currently, you can find me roaming amongst the carts of plants for sale at the Coop in the summer, and shopping in the aisles randomly throughout the year.

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