about_mycena
My·ce·na /maɪˈsiːnə/
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As field researchers, we travel the globe capturing images of rare and alluring fungi, showcasing the biodiversity of life on our home planet.
The fungi we photograph are DNA sequenced as part of a community-wide effort to catalog and map new species.
Taxonomists have only formally described
3% of the 3 million species
of fungi that are estimated to exist.
Molecular Mycology is the branch of science that detangles fungal relationships and lineages with modern molecular methods.
Small snapshots of DNA called ‘barcodes’ act as fingerprints and the unique genomic scripts of each species are interpreted.
Together we embark on journeys of discovery in under-investigated territories, documenting fungal diversity on the edges of the explorable world, toward unveiling the mysteries of the hidden kingdom that thrives beneath our feet.
Mycena Team
Alan Rockefeller
founder
Seasoned mycologist Alan Rockefeller brings over two decades of expertise in studying fungi. Specializing in field photography, microscopy, identification, and the mushroom diversity of Mexico, Alan leads forays across the globe. His extensive contributions to community science have been widespread, sparking interest and discovery in the hearts of many with his groundbreaking DNA sequencing workshops. Alan has identified close to one million fungi online.
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Mandie Quark
founder
Molecular mycologist and science writer Mandie Quark is a researcher with a passion for the advancement of community mycology. Director of the CA MycoMap Network and Senior Researcher at the Ohio Mushroom DNA Lab, Mandie is dedicated to building and empowering networks of community mycologists to document fungal diversity. Mandie lives and works in the California Bay Area and tours the globe as a keynote speaker, photographer, and field collector during mushroom season.
Mandie Quark grew up in a quaint town in northeast Maryland. She walked barefoot to receive her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from St. Mary’s Honors College in southern Maryland in 2007. She then moved north and earned her Master’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia in 2014. Mandie's career started at the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, a biomedical center of excellence at one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals, where she worked as a drug discovery scientist for eleven years. In 2018, she left to focus on research and communications while starting field work.
Today, molecular mycologist and science writer by training, Mandie Quark is a researcher with a passion for the advancement of community mycology. Now with over a decade of experience studying, professionally photographing, and communicating about fungi to the public, Mandie has edited books and spoken at mycology events across the world. In 2023 she co-founded Mycena LLC, and in 2024 her work was featured in the Guardian and the New York Times.
Mandie currently lives and works part-time in the California Bay Area while organizing international mycology events throughout the year in places like Ecuador, Colombia, and Costa Rica. In both of her jobs, as the CA Community Science Director at Mycota Lab and Senior Researcher at the Ohio Mushroom DNA Lab, she is dedicated to building and empowering networks of community mycologists to document fungal diversity. Mandie continues to deliver enthralling presentations that simplify complex topics such as DNA barcoding, while showcasing her photography and research in mycology. Behind the scenes, Mandie contributes to Mycena as a creator, designer, web builder, and brand ambassador. Her favorite work entails finding and documenting rare fungi through field photography in biodiversity hotspots around the world.
Our collaborators and volunteers make deep engagement in community science both possible and meaningful.
Our Collaborators
Our Volunteers
Areas We've Explored
We're always looking for new places to explore!
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