Join MCG at Central Congregational United Church of Christ, 2676 Clairmont Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329 

We are moving our usual first Wednesday of the month meeting to the last Wednesday of July.

Cordyceps of North America: Biochemical Treasures of the Forest

The insect-pathogenic fungi known as Cordyceps, are some of the most captivating fungi that can be found in the woods, and among the most coveted by mushroom hunters throughout the world.  This presentation will profile many of the Cordyceps that occur across North America, their diverse forms and ecologies, taxonomic classification, and the exciting prospects for scientific discovery presented by this fascinating group of fungi.  This presentation will also cover the developing story of a newly discovered family of Cordyceps toxins as lethal human mycotoxins, anticancer drug leads, and chemotaxonomic markers.

Richard Tehan grew up in upstate NY and attended Utica College, receiving a B.S. in chemistry.  He obtained a Ph.D. in a medicinal chemistry program at Oregon State University College of Pharmacy, where he did his dissertation on drug discovery and chemical ecology in insect-pathogenic fungi in the lab of Dr. Kerry McPhail.  Richard is currently assistant professor of biochemistry at Utica University where he teaches chemistry and biochemistry and conducts research on fungi.  Research efforts are aimed at the discovery of new fungal species and new antibiotics and anticancer agents produced by fungi as well as the elucidation of the ecological roles of these metabolites.  Richard has been a passionate mushroom hunter and photographer for fourteen years.  He serves as scientific advisor to the Mid York Mycological Society, a mycology club based in Utica, NY.