Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian

FUNDIS Secretary
Albany, NY

Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian is the Curator of Mycology at the New York State Museum (NYSM), as well as faculty with the Bard Prison Initiative. Her research focuses on fungal taxonomy, diversity, evolution, symbiosis, and ecology, particularly of the less studied fungal groups, such as the insect-associated Laboulbeniales. She is a co-founder of the International Congress of Armenian Mycologists, which seeks to jointly protect Armenian sovereignty and biodiversity. She is currently conducting a long-term survey of fungal diversity in the capital region to document local species, as well as monitor how they may respond to climate change. Her research also involves using modern molecular techniques to re-examine the historic mycological collection housed at NYSM.