I received my Ph.D. from Michigan State University in August, 2002, and have been working as a research associate (i.e., postdoc) in the lab of Jonathan Walton (9/2002-8/2004; 9/2007-present) and Frances Trail (9/2004-8/2007). In general, my research has centered on poisonous mushrooms, in particular the members of the genera Amanita, Galerina, Lepiota and Conocybe that produce amatoxins. Amatoxins are responsible for approximately 90% of mushroom poisoning fatalities worldwide. I have had the privilege of being a founding member of the Amanita bisporigera genome project, which has recently yielded some very exciting results in terms of toxin biosynthesis. Additionally, I have explored the genomic/molecular genetic arena, examining spore discharge in Fusarium graminearum (= Gibberella zeae) as part of the Fusarium graminearum genome project.

Research	Mycological	Techniques	Chameleons

The background image on this page is a close-up of the gills of Hypsizygus tesselatus, photographed at the Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms of Michigan workshop held in L'Anse, Michigan, September 2005.

Updated 27 March, 2008.