I have been foraging and identifying fungi with ever increasing enthusiasm since 2015. I recently completed my PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan with a thesis on lorchel mushrooms (Gyromitra spp.) and their production of the gyromitrin mycotoxin. You can learn more about my work at my personal website, aldendirks.com.

My research interests include fungal taxonomy and phylogenetics (particularly of Discinaceae and crust fungi), evolution and genetics of secondary metabolites, elucidating fungal dark matter taxa, and fungal mating systems and queer mycology.

In 2018, I founded and served as the president of the Madison Mycological Society. If you are ever in Wisconsin, check them out!

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