About the conference
MycoRise Up! is a mycological student conference. Its main goal is to exchange mycological knowledge between young researchers. To encourage undergraduates and PhD candidates to present their ideas, we as organisers aim to create a welcoming and accepting atmosphere.
First edition of MycoRise Up! was initiated in 2019 by prof. Małgorzata Ruszkiewicz-Michalska and her then-student Sebastian Piskorski. It took place in Spała (Lodzkie Voivodeship, Poland). This created a platform for young scientists in Poland to present their research, network and discuss their ideas.
In the following years the conference was organised by different Scientific Institutions and Students' Organisations (you can find previous years websites in the menu). Each year was special and pushed the conference more and more towards an international event. This meant more guests from abroad and English becoming the official language for the presentations. The conference remained small and friendly but now also welcomes international students, which broadenes the networking possibilities.
Even if your English isn’t perfect (nobody’s is), we would like to encourage you to participate in the conference.
Organising Committee
Beniamin Abramczyk
PhD student at Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland
My doctoral project explores interactions of basal fungal lineage (Mortierellomycotina) with algae in the context of land colonisation. It also aims to revise the current taxonomy of this fascinating group of fungi. Furthermore I am interested in the ecology of basal fungal lineages and their interactions with each other.
After hours of exploring fungal diversity I like to read and ride my barkcycle.
Dorota Wiktorowicz
PhD student at Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland
My doctoral project explores the biodiversity of fungi in plastisphere (microbial communities that form on plastic debris). It also aims to identify potential plastic degraders to be used to fight with environmental plastic pollution. Furthermore I am interested in the ecology and evolution of fungi in general.
After hours of science I like to learn about Korean culture.
Michał Kochanowski
PhD student at Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland
My doctoral project explores interactions of fungivorous insects with mushrooms. It also aims to unravel the potential differences of insects' microbiome depending on the fungus they live in. Furthermore I am interested in exploring occurrence patterns of macroscopic basidiomycetes and biodiversity data management.
After hours of watching insects I like to visit movie festivals.
Maksymilian Nowak
PhD student at Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland
My doctoral project explores biodiversity of fungal phytopathogens attacking Vicia faba and Triticum aestivum. It also aims to develop methods for high throughput and rapid detection of those fungal pathogens. Furthermore I am interested in fungal biotechnology and molecular biology.
After hours of library preparations I enjoy ballroom dancing and TTRPGs.
Marta Tischer, PhD
Post-doc at Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, Poland
My current research explores the biodiversity of macromycetes with the use of NanoPore barcoding. It also aims to monitor anthropogenic fungal diversity changes across Europe. Furthermore I am interested in interactions of insects with fungi and endosymbiotic bacteria.
After hours of sequencing with NanoPore I like to knit socks and fix clocks.
Scientific Committee
Phytopathology
Assistant Professor at the Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland
My current research explores the complex interactions between crop plants and fungal pathogens of the Fusarium genus.It also aims to discover and develop biological control agents capable of inhibiting the growth of agriculturally threatening pathogens and suppressing their mycotoxin production. Furthermore, I am interested in delving deeper into the molecular mechanisms that regulate the genes responsible for mycotoxin biosynthesis.
After hours of exploring the fascinating fungal world, I like to discover new flavours by exploring diverse cuisines from around the globe.
Fungi-like organisms
Iryna Yatsiuk, PhD
Researcher at the Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
Visiting researcher at the Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
My current research explores the diversity, evolution and ecology of slime moulds. It also aims to improve our understanding of species concepts in fungi-like protists. Furthermore, I am interested in promoting FAIR data principles in biological studies.
After hours of exploring slime moulds, I like to sing folk songs, and visit museums and castles.
Biodiversity and Taxonomy
Mauro Rivas Ferreiro, PhD
Evolutionary Genetics and Biodiversity Conservation group, University of Vigo, Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain
My current research explores the diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi found in the tropical forests of Madagascar and the Atlantic and Mediterranean biomes of the Iberian Peninsula. It also aims to clarify the taxonomy of some ectomycorrhizal families like Amanitaceae, Boletaceae and Sclerodermataceae. Furthermore, I am interested in engaging citizen scientists in the molecular and ecological aspects of mycology.
After hours of exploring multi-gene alignments and 18th-19th century mycological literature, I like to enjoy boardgame nights with friends, try out recipes from all over the world and listen to Galician folk music.
Interactions
Igor Siedlecki, PhD
University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Warsaw, Poland
My current research explores the diversity of ant-fungal interactions in temperate climates and is mainly focused on fungal associates of the red wood ants. It also aims to discover new species of the insect-isolated fungi. Furthermore I am interested in biodiversity monitorning and biodiveristy data repositories such as GBIF, BOLD and UNITE.
After hours of exploring sequences in databases, I enjoy going to concerts, playing one or going into nature to look at insects.
Biotechnology
Mikołaj Dziurzyński, PhD
University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Warsaw, Poland
My current research explores how bacteria and Mucoromycota fungi interact metabolically to increase their chances of survival. It also aims to understand whether we could leverage these interactions in a biotechnological setting. Furthermore I am interested in building in silico metabolic models of Mucoromycota fungi.
After hours of exploring bacterial-fungal interactions I like to interact with other people.
Omics and evolution
Małgorzata Orłowska, PhD
University of Warsaw, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Laboratory of Structural Bioinformatics, Warsaw, Poland
My current research explores proteins involved in the evolution of multicellularity. It aims to understand how these proteins shape interactions between organisms and between organisms and their environment. Furthermore, I am interested in protein evolution itself.
After hours of exploring protein structure and evolutionary trajectories, I like to develop my creative side through the art of burlesque.
Entomopathogens
Frederik C. De Wint, PhD
Lab of Fungal Ecology and Evolution (FLEE), Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Czechia
My current research explores the ecology of entomopathogenic fungi and their interactions with hosts. It also aims to investigate their role in the regulation of natural host populations and the maintenance of biodiversity. Furthermore, I am interested in how this study system is affected by environmental change.
After hours of exploring specimens and data, I like to go for nature walks, listen to music and meet with friends.
Medical mycology
Katarzyna Sułkowska-Ziaja, Dr hab.
Department of Medicinal Plant and Mushroom Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
My current research explores bioactive compounds accumulated in fungal fruiting bodies as well as in mycelial biomass obtained under controlled laboratory conditions. It also aims to optimize mycelial cultivation parameters and to enhance the yield of biologically active metabolites through targeted stimulation of endogenous biosynthetic pathways, including the application of metabolic precursors and pathway modulators. Furthermore, I am interested in the cosmetic and anti-aging properties of fungal-derived raw materials and their practical applications.
After hours spent exploring mycochemical complexities, I enjoy cooking for family and friends and actively following football.
