Stalked Puffballs and Other Desert Fungi

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.