Co-Founder & CEO/CSO, MyCOLove Farm
Co-Creator, MycoReach
zoomlink - passcode: 603912
“Introduction to Ethnomycology: Fungi in Culture, Healing, and Ecology”
Lecture Description:
This engaging lecture introduces students to the world of ethnomycology, the study of human relationships with fungi across cultures and history. Focusing primarily on North American Indigenous traditions, we’ll explore how mushrooms have been used for medicine, food, spirituality, and ecological stewardship. From healing broths and puffball poultices to sacred psilocybin rituals and sustainable foraging practices, fungi reveal themselves as powerful cultural and biological allies.
The lecture blends myth, science, and storytelling, offering students a multidimensional look at the role fungi play in shaping human experience. We’ll also discuss modern developments in mycoremediation, fungal conservation, and the rising interest in mushrooms as tools for sustainability and health.
Designed to inform and inspire, this session is ideal for anyone curious about the cultural, medicinal, and ecological significance of fungi in human life.
Shane Schoolman, CEO and Co-Founder of MyCOLove Farm, holds a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from CU Boulder and has been immersed in mycology research and practice since 2016. With a passion for cultivation, extraction, education, and mycoremediation, Shane bridges science and sustainability to empower others in exploring the world of the Fungal Queendom.
At MycoLove Farm, the mission is clear: To Heal Through Biodiversity. As a USDA Organic and vertically integrated mushroom company, MyCOLove oversees every step of the process—from "Farm to Bottle"—to deliver premium, sustainable mushroom products. Shane's innovative approach to extraction, including pioneering Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction (UAE) techniques, ensures that MycoLove produces full-spectrum, potent, and standardized extracts for health and wellness.
As Co-Creator of MycoReach, Shane extends his commitment to community and innovation by fostering accessibility and collaboration in applied mycology. MycoReach bridges the gap between the myco-curious and the myco-serious, empowering citizen scientists with open-source tools, workshops, and resources. From its Mobile Myco Lab to its ambitious culture bank initiative, MycoReach embodies Shane’s vision to transform curiosity into discovery and create a more sustainable future through fungi.