SCOTT OSTUNI MYCOLOGIST

Scott Ostuni is an autodidact, mycologist, and mushroom photographer who focuses on fungal taxonomy in the southeastern United States. He specializes in fungal identification based on molecular data and traditional methods. Some of his accolades include describing two new species of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, Psilocybe niveotropicalis and Psilocybe caeruleorhiza, as well as contributing to the understanding of the distribution of various fungi species in Florida. Scott is currently studying the genus Panaeolus and collaborates with professionals and academics worldwide. 

Affiliations:

Fungal Diversity Survey (FunDiS)

NAMA DNA Sequencing Committee

Entheome (Entheogen Genome Project)

Ohio Mushroom DNA Lab

Mycota Labs

Florida Mycological Society

 Julian Mattucci is the founder and owner of IMPERIAL LABS, a research-driven enterprise at the forefront of fungal genetics, psychedelic research, and scientific innovation.
Julian is working to advance the knowledge and utility of psychedelic compounds and their natural sources. His work integrates genetics, chemistry, and cutting-edge scientific techniques to explore both natural and synthetic psychedelics with applications in therapy, industry, and science.

  Brandon, founder of "I See Fungi", has over 7 years of experience working with gourmet and medicinal mushrooms. He is an expert in teaching fundamentals of advanced cultivation techniques, like how to clone mushrooms, germination, and fruiting.

He has worked on commercial mushroom farms, helped set up growing operations internationally, and brings hands-on experience in cultivation, foraging, and extractions. 

Brandon’s passion for fungi ensures a rich and engaging learning experience.

Don King, also known as The Mushroom Hunter, can often be found hiking the forests of Ohio and neighboring states in search of wild mushrooms and other delicious and healthy edibles, which he considers to be the pinnacle of sustainable, local foods. He has also studied wild mushrooms in Mexico, Colombia, and Canada. Don has been foraging for over two decades, and has been teaching mushroom identification for 16 years.  In December of 2023, Don joined Akron, Ohio-based Epiphany Mushroom Co, a mushrooms and mental health company, as their Director of Mycology, spearheading their cultivation and processing of mushrooms for both culinary and medicinal use, as well as their mushroom-based culinary products. Affiliations:

KEVIN is the owner and operator of Blue Ridge Chaga Connection, founded in 2018. Being based in Asheville, NC locates him in the Appalachian mountain range. Kevin offers locally-foraged, edible/medicinal mushrooms, using 100% sustainable methods of foraging, processing and packaging.  His expertise encompasses college classes in Horticulture and Botany, and extensive knowledge and experience gained from local experts in Mycology, Botany and Chinese Herbs. Kevin has studied the arts of Foraging, Plant Identification, Tincture and Tea Making, and learned the many uses and values of medicinal plants, edible plants and mushrooms in our region. He has 17 years of experience foraging and working with mushrooms.  As a life long student of the Fungi Kingdom, Kevin continues to learn about new species, researching the medicinal properties of many varieties of mushrooms in the region, and creating new formulas.

 Sarah Hawkins is an avid forager from the Appalachian Foothills with a love for edible and medicinal wilds. She is a licensed wild mushroom identification specialist and is certified in nine eastern states, including Georgia. Sarah is passionate about passing on her knowledge of wild mushrooms, sharing foraging skills and tips, as well as teaching on the many benefits of foraging.  Ever eager to learn and connect with others, she offers guided forages, workshops, and mentorships around the southeast and beyond through her venture: Flossie May Forage (@flossiemay_), which focuses on educating about ethical foraging of beneficial wild foods and medicines.