Mid-Atlantic States Mycology Conference honors William Chambers Coker

poster presentation at MASMC 2019

by Van Cotter, Herbarium Research Associate, UNC-CH Herbarium (NCU); Suzanne Cadwell, Director, ITS-Educational Technologies; Dan Meyers, Corbin Bryan, and Davis Upchurch, Undergraduates UNC-CH

On April 17-18, the North Carolina Botanical Garden is co-hosting the annual Mid-Atlantic States Mycology Conference (MASMC) along with the UNC-CH Herbarium (NCU) and the UNC-CH Biology Department.  Due to continued pandemic concerns, MASMC 2021 will be held virtually.

MASMC 2021 is dedicated to Dr. William Chambers Coker, the first Professor of Botany at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) and eminent mycologist.

poster presentation at MASMC 2018
Figure 1. UNC-CH Herbarium Poster at MASMC 2018 Congaree National Park, Hopkins, South Carolina. Meriel Goodwin, Dan Meyers, Van Cotter.

The Mid-Atlantic Mycology Conference is a scientific meeting bringing together mycologists from the greater Mid-Atlantic Region. MASMC 2021 will be the 42nd MASMC.  MASMC began in 1979 with participating mycology labs from Virginia Tech, University of Maryland, Howard University, and Towson State University. Each spring, MASMC provides scientists studying fungi with an opportunity to present their latest research findings, meet new colleagues, and develop and strengthen scientific collaborations. MASMC provides undergraduates, graduate students and postdocs a unique opportunity to present their mycological research findings in a less formal venue than at a national or international scientific meeting.

The will begin with a presentation on the history of mycology at UNC-CH by Carol Ann McCormick, curator of the Herbarium, and a virtual tour of the fungal collections which include over 1,000 type specimens by Dan Meyers, UNC-CH senior and Mary McKee Felton Intern.  The main part of the day will involve oral presentations and poster discussions.  To cap the day, we are delighted that Dr. Amy Gladfelter, Biology Professor at UNC-CH, will give the evening keynote address.

poster presentation at MASMC 2019
Figure 2. UNC-CH Herbarium Poster at MASMC 2019 University of Tennessee Knoxville Avery McGinn, Suzanne Cadwell, Van Cotter.

Traditionally, MASMC would end with a morel foray on Sunday in honor of Dr. Larry F. Grand. Given that an in-person foray is not possible this year, we will do something special. On Sunday morning, we encourage all participants to go out wherever they are to seek morels and other fungi, then midday Sunday we will have a virtual collection table where we can see and review the exciting fungal finds of the morning.

Participation in MASMC 2021 is free.

Register Here

Any questions about MASMC 2021 can be directed to the MASMC 2021 Team (Van Cotter, Suzanne Cadwell, Dan Meyers, Corbin Bryan, Davis Upchurch) at masmycology2021@gmail.com.

MASMC 2021, dedicated to DR. W. C. Coker