Community Support
Folx who worked with us in the past & contributed significantly to projects: thank you!
Myco-Phytoremediation Intern
Abby Meunier (she/her) is a senior Plant Biology major at the University of Vermont. A lifetime lover of nature, she loves being surrounded by plants, having worked in multiple plant labs, and enjoys illustrating them in her spare time. Abby is still navigating her path in the world, but the myco-phytoremediation project provided a job in which she was able to respect and give to the earth as much as it gives to us all—a rare opportunity in the modern world. She learned a lot from the work and feels very honored to have helped it evolve.
Abby Meunier (she/her) is a senior Plant Biology major at the University of Vermont. A lifetime lover of nature, she loves being surrounded by plants, having worked in multiple plant labs, and enjoys illustrating them in her spare time. Abby is still navigating her path in the world, but the myco-phytoremediation project provided a job in which she was able to respect and give to the earth as much as it gives to us all—a rare opportunity in the modern world. She learned a lot from the work and feels very honored to have helped it evolve.
Myco-Phytoremediation Research Assistant
Luca Kolba (he/him) graduated from UVM majoring in environmental studies and minoring in food systems. His studies were focused on issues of land and food sovereignty, environmental justice, and regenerative agriculture practices. He has worked in a range of areas; as a counselor at a radical Jewish farm camp, a kid's ceramics instructor, a journalist for local VT papers, and in herbalism as an apothecary intern. As an avid (low-impact) forager and mycophile, Luca is thrilled to be on the MycoEvolve team assisting with myco-phytoremediation research and the ongoing journey towards rematriation. As of winter 2023, Luca served as an endemic mycorrhizal grower for UVM in the Plant Soil Science Department, for our Shelburne Farms project, following a guide he recently coauthored. Luca is has moved to NJ to continue his journey with his family and nurturing earth networks.
Luca Kolba (he/him) graduated from UVM majoring in environmental studies and minoring in food systems. His studies were focused on issues of land and food sovereignty, environmental justice, and regenerative agriculture practices. He has worked in a range of areas; as a counselor at a radical Jewish farm camp, a kid's ceramics instructor, a journalist for local VT papers, and in herbalism as an apothecary intern. As an avid (low-impact) forager and mycophile, Luca is thrilled to be on the MycoEvolve team assisting with myco-phytoremediation research and the ongoing journey towards rematriation. As of winter 2023, Luca served as an endemic mycorrhizal grower for UVM in the Plant Soil Science Department, for our Shelburne Farms project, following a guide he recently coauthored. Luca is has moved to NJ to continue his journey with his family and nurturing earth networks.
Pollinator Research Intern
Chery gathered initial data on pollinator visitation populations in the Shelburne Farms Pilot to determine how increased pollinator habitat in the restored plots affects actual numbers of pollinators present compared to the control and between the restored plots.
Cheryl Herrick Carmi (she/her) is a mom, writer, neighbor and student in Burlington, Vermont. She worked in communications and fundraising for nearly three decades, including 10 years telling the story of the Center for Sustainable Agriculture's work. She earned her BA in Cultural Studies at Burlington College in 1995, received a Master's in Sustainable Leadership Systems through UVM's Rubenstein School in 2019, and began a doctoral program in Transdisciplinary Leadership in summer 2021.
Chery gathered initial data on pollinator visitation populations in the Shelburne Farms Pilot to determine how increased pollinator habitat in the restored plots affects actual numbers of pollinators present compared to the control and between the restored plots.
Cheryl Herrick Carmi (she/her) is a mom, writer, neighbor and student in Burlington, Vermont. She worked in communications and fundraising for nearly three decades, including 10 years telling the story of the Center for Sustainable Agriculture's work. She earned her BA in Cultural Studies at Burlington College in 1995, received a Master's in Sustainable Leadership Systems through UVM's Rubenstein School in 2019, and began a doctoral program in Transdisciplinary Leadership in summer 2021.
Research Assistant
Sebastian contributed stellar mapping skills to both the Shelburne Farms site as well as to the Barge Canal
Community Science Inventory, both of which are now Inaturalist projects. Sebastian also assisted in the initial field planting at Diggers' Mirth.
Sebastian Strong (he/him) brings a passion for understanding environmental systems and a professional background in hydrology, soil science, and Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) design. His recent work was to develop hydraulic and hydrologic models to support Town and Regional stormwater plans, to design and permit stormwater infrastructure. He was interested in ecological design and restoration ecology. Sebastian holds degrees in Physics from Skidmore College and Environmental Engineering from Dartmouth College.
Sebastian contributed stellar mapping skills to both the Shelburne Farms site as well as to the Barge Canal
Community Science Inventory, both of which are now Inaturalist projects. Sebastian also assisted in the initial field planting at Diggers' Mirth.
Sebastian Strong (he/him) brings a passion for understanding environmental systems and a professional background in hydrology, soil science, and Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) design. His recent work was to develop hydraulic and hydrologic models to support Town and Regional stormwater plans, to design and permit stormwater infrastructure. He was interested in ecological design and restoration ecology. Sebastian holds degrees in Physics from Skidmore College and Environmental Engineering from Dartmouth College.
Myco-Phytoremediation Research Assistant
Mary was a stellar research assistant who contributed lots of labor to our mesocosm & Shelburne Farms projects, both of which were published in peer-reviewed journals. Thank you Mary!!
Mary Robideau graduated in the summer of 2021 from Sterling College with a B.A. in Ecology and a minor in Education. They have spent several years studying forest ecosystems, field ecology, botany, and experiential education, splitting their presence and focus between Abenaki land in so-called Vermont and their childhood home in Monocan/Powhatan lands (so-called central Virginia). While in school, they have worked jobs ranging from carpentry to trail maintenance to perennial farming to bike couriering, but now they are excited to focus on ecological remediation and research, where their passion lies. In their free time, they are a sporadic folk musician and a novice forager and wildcrafter.
Mary was a stellar research assistant who contributed lots of labor to our mesocosm & Shelburne Farms projects, both of which were published in peer-reviewed journals. Thank you Mary!!
Mary Robideau graduated in the summer of 2021 from Sterling College with a B.A. in Ecology and a minor in Education. They have spent several years studying forest ecosystems, field ecology, botany, and experiential education, splitting their presence and focus between Abenaki land in so-called Vermont and their childhood home in Monocan/Powhatan lands (so-called central Virginia). While in school, they have worked jobs ranging from carpentry to trail maintenance to perennial farming to bike couriering, but now they are excited to focus on ecological remediation and research, where their passion lies. In their free time, they are a sporadic folk musician and a novice forager and wildcrafter.
Mycological mentor, teacher, consultant for EPSCoR BREE, Colchester project & MycoEvolve
Sue was my first official mycology teacher in an academic setting, who introduced me to the fungi 'queendom.' She also mentored me during the first few years of incredibly steep learning curves.
Sue Van Hook, is most often found immersed in nature looking for fungi. Sue studied botany and mycology at Humboldt State University BA 1977, MA 1985. She taught biology and environmental science at Skidmore College for 18 years after working for 10 years in land stewardship and conservation. Her most recent position was Mycologist for Ecovative Design, a biomaterials research and development company using fungal mycelium and plant waste to replace plastic foams.
Suevanhook.com
Sue was my first official mycology teacher in an academic setting, who introduced me to the fungi 'queendom.' She also mentored me during the first few years of incredibly steep learning curves.
Sue Van Hook, is most often found immersed in nature looking for fungi. Sue studied botany and mycology at Humboldt State University BA 1977, MA 1985. She taught biology and environmental science at Skidmore College for 18 years after working for 10 years in land stewardship and conservation. Her most recent position was Mycologist for Ecovative Design, a biomaterials research and development company using fungal mycelium and plant waste to replace plastic foams.
Suevanhook.com
Mycological Research Technician For EPSCoR BREE & Core Collaborator in VT Myconode (now MycoLab)
Hannah was a brave and enthusiastic collaborator in the early founding of Mycolab, when we cultivated fungi in the kitchen and intrepidly investigated saprophytic mats in our first mycofiltration project which we presented at SER.
Hannah Huber completed her Bachelor’s degree in 2014 at Paul Smith’s College in biology and environmental science, with a minor in chemistry, and while there met her first mycology mentor, mushroom dye artist Susan Hopkins. Originally from Michigan, Hannah began her mushroom education in the 90’s hunting for morels with her father as a toddler. Hannah believes in the intelligence of fungi to lend a “helping hypha.' Hannah earned a Masters of Professional Studies in Applied Ecology at SUNY ESF.
Hannah was a brave and enthusiastic collaborator in the early founding of Mycolab, when we cultivated fungi in the kitchen and intrepidly investigated saprophytic mats in our first mycofiltration project which we presented at SER.
Hannah Huber completed her Bachelor’s degree in 2014 at Paul Smith’s College in biology and environmental science, with a minor in chemistry, and while there met her first mycology mentor, mushroom dye artist Susan Hopkins. Originally from Michigan, Hannah began her mushroom education in the 90’s hunting for morels with her father as a toddler. Hannah believes in the intelligence of fungi to lend a “helping hypha.' Hannah earned a Masters of Professional Studies in Applied Ecology at SUNY ESF.
Environmental Statistician and Research Consultant for Colchester Project
Leif was a stellar statisician and consult during the steep learning curve of our early days doing mycoresearch.
Leif Olson is an interdisciplinary environmental scientist and practitioner who works to connect the understanding and implementation and ecological function, environmental health, and human need. He received his bachelor's degree in ecology from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 2011 and his Master's in ecotoxicology from Duke University in 2016. He has worked and performed research in the fields of mycology, wetland science, environmental chemistry, community ecology, landscape design and sustainable agriculture. He is the founder of Integrated Land Enhancement, a company dedicated to improving landscape health by understanding and leveraging the properties of nature. Before recently entering a doctorate program, Leif was involved in performing and facilitating research with universities, private companies and municipalities. integratedlandenhancement.com
Leif was a stellar statisician and consult during the steep learning curve of our early days doing mycoresearch.
Leif Olson is an interdisciplinary environmental scientist and practitioner who works to connect the understanding and implementation and ecological function, environmental health, and human need. He received his bachelor's degree in ecology from the University of California at Santa Cruz in 2011 and his Master's in ecotoxicology from Duke University in 2016. He has worked and performed research in the fields of mycology, wetland science, environmental chemistry, community ecology, landscape design and sustainable agriculture. He is the founder of Integrated Land Enhancement, a company dedicated to improving landscape health by understanding and leveraging the properties of nature. Before recently entering a doctorate program, Leif was involved in performing and facilitating research with universities, private companies and municipalities. integratedlandenhancement.com
Mechanical Engineer, and Design/Installation Consultant for Colchester Project
Jason McCune has spent his career advancing ecological alternative technologies. In addition to his educational background in environmental science (BS) and engineering (BS civil, MS mechanical), he brings hands-on skills and tools in construction, fabrication, civil and mechanical design, fabrication and forestry to the table. This enables Jason to help innovative projects from the concept and impact assessment through design, pilot and installation phases. Jason’s portfolio includes patents on small-scale anaerobic digester technologies and most recently the development of large-scale machinery that aerate and extract heat from compost piles: www.agrilabtechnologies.com
Jason McCune has spent his career advancing ecological alternative technologies. In addition to his educational background in environmental science (BS) and engineering (BS civil, MS mechanical), he brings hands-on skills and tools in construction, fabrication, civil and mechanical design, fabrication and forestry to the table. This enables Jason to help innovative projects from the concept and impact assessment through design, pilot and installation phases. Jason’s portfolio includes patents on small-scale anaerobic digester technologies and most recently the development of large-scale machinery that aerate and extract heat from compost piles: www.agrilabtechnologies.com
Research Assistant on the Colchester Project and Initial Water Resource consultant for SARE Shelburne Farms Project
Lauren Weston has worked on a wide range on engineering, environmental, justice-based, and water-specific projects. Since graduating from Smith College in 2015 with a B.S. in Engineering Science, Lauren has been working in new places around the world and gaining a diverse set of skills in all things ecological. Her recent experience includes serving as a Water Resource Engineer at Milone & MacBroom in Waterbury, VT which consisted largely of hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, dam removal design, stormwater capture and treatment design, river and floodplain restoration, and permitting. Other previous experiences include serving as an AmeriCorps member for the State of Washington Conservation Corps, civil engineer overseeing solar energy installations in MA, and production manager for a ceramic water filter factory in Uganda. Currently, Lauren is involved with organic farming, organizing community discussions regarding climate change and regenerative agriculture, and utilizing fungi. She hopes to continue to find new ways to heal the planet and get everyone moving towards a new paradigm.
Lauren Weston has worked on a wide range on engineering, environmental, justice-based, and water-specific projects. Since graduating from Smith College in 2015 with a B.S. in Engineering Science, Lauren has been working in new places around the world and gaining a diverse set of skills in all things ecological. Her recent experience includes serving as a Water Resource Engineer at Milone & MacBroom in Waterbury, VT which consisted largely of hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, dam removal design, stormwater capture and treatment design, river and floodplain restoration, and permitting. Other previous experiences include serving as an AmeriCorps member for the State of Washington Conservation Corps, civil engineer overseeing solar energy installations in MA, and production manager for a ceramic water filter factory in Uganda. Currently, Lauren is involved with organic farming, organizing community discussions regarding climate change and regenerative agriculture, and utilizing fungi. She hopes to continue to find new ways to heal the planet and get everyone moving towards a new paradigm.
