Dr. Jessie Uehling, Principal investigator (she/her)
My research goal is to understand how fungal symbioses are initiated, maintained, and evolve over time
I am an assistant professor in Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University. My research group and I are using genomics to understand molecular mechanisms and evolutionary consequences of fungal symbioses. You can learn more about me and my path into Mycology on my website. Outside of lab I like to trail run/hike, surf, and cook/eat wild foraged fungi together with my family. In short I love fungi and Im thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this team.
Currently I am:
The Director of Research in my lab at OSU on fungal diversity and evolution
The Instructor for Mycology (BOT 461/561) and Population Genomics (BDS 477/577)
Kyle Mondron, Phd student (He/his)
My name is Kyle Mondron, and I’m currently a second year PhD student at Oregon State University. My research is aimed at understanding molecular mechanisms of mating in the Mucoromycota fungi and how bacterial endosymbionts influence this process. I graduated with a M.S. in Sustainable Forest Management, where my research involved finding associations between the genetics of a population of hybrid poplars and resistance/susceptibility to infection with Sphaerulina musiva (with a focus on stem canker phenotypes). I enjoy a variety of other topics outside mycology, including: basic computer science, languages, music, and video games.
Please see my website and follow me on my Twitter! @kylemondron.
My name is Kim Syring, and I am a first-year Ph.D. student. Before OSU, I spent three years working as a quality specialist researching brewery microflora, and the interactions these microorganisms have in packaged beer. I began working with the Uehling lab as an undergraduate where I conducted research for my senior thesis on the phylogenetics and diversity of laccate (shiny) species Ganoderma in the PNW. I am particularly interested in fungal diversity and the impact fungi have within various systems. Some goals of my research are to investigate how climate change will impact fungal communities, understand the roles fungi have within crop and forest systems, and use genomics and bioinformatics to evaluate the roles of fungal secondary metabolites. I love going out and exploring the forests of the PNW, and like to spend my free time hiking, mountain biking, and climbing. While I don’t think it is ever too rainy to go out and explore, I also like to cook and paint if I’m stuck inside.
Andreas Guerrero, Incoming PhD student fall 2023 (he/his)
I am a first-year PhD student in Botany and Plant Pathology with the Uehling Lab where I study endosymbiotic bacteria and their host Mucoromycota fungi. Prior to joining the lab, I was an industry scientist with a group metabolically engineering non-model soil bacteria. I was inspired by the potential of biological design and struck by the limitations of single organism systems. Thus, I hope to understand the rules that govern the stability of ancient symbioses over time and to derive principles that can be applied to the design of synthetic microbial ecosystems. Other academic interests of mine include Psilocybe biology and policy research, microbial degradation of pollutants and lignocellulosic material, and biomaterials. Beyond the lab, I hope to develop my skills in science communication and education, to learn about policy development, and to create opportunities for academic-industry collaborations. In my free time, I love exploring the outdoors, especially mushroom hunting, foraging on the coast, or backpacking. Otherwise you can find me running, gardening, fermenting different foods, practicing French and Spanish, or spending time with my friends and family.
My name is Michele Wiseman and I’ve been a PhD student collaborator with the Uehling Lab since June of 2021. My dissertation research involves the investigation of powdery mildew susceptibility genes in hop using genomic tools, biotechnology, and high throughput phenomics (major advisor: Dave Gent). While my dissertation research is primarily plant health focused, I have had a longtime fascination with fungi, particularly edible, medicinal, and entheogenic species. Alas, when I heard Jessie had a computational project investigating the population distribution, biodiversity, and evolutionary history of Psilocybe species… well, I just couldn’t resist getting involved. In my free time you will most likely find my dog and I in the forest hunting for fungi or in my workshop fiddling with my latest engineering or woodworking project. To learn more about my educational history, publication record, and the assortment of engineering, science, and biotech side projects I have, check out my webpage. For science commentary, fungal facts, manuscript recommendations, etc.,
Ray Van Court, Phd Student & Lab Affiliate (they/their)
I am a PhD candidate in Wood Science and Engineering working with Dr. Gerald Presley and have been collaborating with the Uehling lab since June 2021. My research has focused on developing sustainable technologies based on fungi. During my MS, I worked on use of fungal pigments as colorants and in opto-electronic applications, such as organic photovoltaics for green energy. For my PhD work I’m studying bioremediation of wood preservative heavy metals by ectomycorrhizal fungi, with some ecology on the side. Following my interest in applied mycology, I joined the Uehling lab’s investigation into the computational evaluations of biodiversity and history of Psilocybe species. When not in the lab I’m in the forest looking for fungi, cooking the fungi I find, or turning pieces of wood attractively decayed by fungi.
Follow me on twitter for fungal and woodworking content!
I am a first-year PhD student in Integrative Biology studying the intersections of Mycology and Buddhist philosophy. I am particularly interested in concepts of reciprocity in the fungal and philosophical world. I plan to study the medicinal Ganoderma complex in the PNW and community forests of Nepal, with research stretching across phylogenetics, gene expression, and ethnomycology. When I’m not giggling with Ganoderma mycelium in the lab, I enjoy climbing, dancing, cooking, and getting lost in the woods.
Brandon Stairs, Masters student (he/his)
I am a second year M.S. student in Botany and Plant Pathology here in the Uehling lab where I study clinical Rhizopus isolates. My studies involve the interactions the genus has with its endosymbionts and how these symbioses can lead to increased fungal virulence. I am using evolutionary fungal genomics and wet lab molecular techniques to generate data for this project. Outside of research I enjoy cooking, photography, and playing disc golf with friends.
Thomas is a curatorial assistant in the fungal herbarium and has worked to accession our truffle collection at OSC.
Will Gilmour, Undergraduate researcher (He/his)
My name is Will Gilmour and I am a freshman Biology Major in the OSU Honors College. I started in the Uehling lab through the Big Data Science REEU program the summer before started at university. I was using computational biology and transcriptomics to understand how Psilocybe regulates genes in different environments and between tissue types. Apart from the lab I enjoy making and playing board games as well as playing soccer and video games with my friends and family.
Kai Castle, He/his Undergraduate researcher
My name is Kai Castle, and I’m a sophomore undergraduate Environmental Chemistry student at OSU. When looking to take part in undergrad research with fungi and mushrooms, I found and started in the Uehling lab in August of 2022! While here, I’m assisting in the research of Mucoromycota fungi and how their mating process is affected by endosymbionts living inside the fungus itself. While outside the lab, I enjoy spending my free time with my dog, going to the gym, playing piano, guitar, and video games!
former lab members
I welcome inquiries from interested persons to join or visit the lab, if resources are available. See below for more information, and contact me if you have any questions.
Graduate students
I am always interested in hearing from prospective graduate students who have a strong interest in the fungal symbioses, diversity, and evolution. Prospective PhD students should have some specific ideas for research, while prospective Masters students do not necessarily need to have specific ideas. In all cases, I expect to work collaboratively with you to develop your graduate research plan. Prospective PhD students should have substantial previous research experience, either as an undergraduate or through a Masters degree. Funding for graduate education can come from three sources—teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships. I sometimes have funding for graduate students through research assistantships (ask me); otherwise, funding for admitted graduate students is provided through teaching assistantships in the Botany and Plant Pathology Department. In addition, if you have specific ideas for research and a highly competitive academic record, I would be happy to consider helping you apply for outside fellowship funding, such as a Graduate Research Fellowship from the National Science Foundation (for USA citizens only), a Fulbright Fellowship (for most non-USA citizens), or an NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship (Canadian citizens only). Find more information about the Graduate School’s admission policies, deadlines. Note that the Oregon State Botany and Plant department has their own unique admissions requirements and deadlines, available here.
Post-docs and Visiting Scientists
If you are interested in joining the lab as a post-doctoral associate or visiting scientist, I would like to hear from you about potential areas of collaborative research. I may occasionally have funding to support post-docs (ask me). If you have specific research ideas, I will also consider helping you apply for outside funding, including fellowships from the National Science Foundation (for USA citizens only), a Fulbright Fellowship (for non-USA citizens), or an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship (Canadian citizens only). Other fellowships for specific groups include L’Oreal, (women in science), HHMI Hanna Grey (underrepresented groups including gender, racial, ethnic, and disadvantaged), and Ford Foundation (groups currently under-represented in the American professoriate)
Oregon State University is located in Corvallis OR , (population ~58,000) is charming and offers a high quality of life for its residents. Ranked in the 80th percentile for livabilitywith high scores for amenities, crime, and education.
Corvallis loves art, boasting numerous building murals, an independent movie house, art walk events, an arts center and several theaters. Corvallis also hosts severaltech companiesand home to the Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute, a collaborative research center doing tons of cool research and commercial development projects.
For regional adventures, Corvallis is ~ 2 hr drive from Portland, and about ~1 hr from the Oregon Coast and the Cascade mountain towns such as Bend OR.
For more info email me at jessie.uehling[at]oregonstate[dot]edu
uehlinglab677064000.wordpress.com 