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Mycological Guest Lecture & Chrysler Herbarium Open House: February 7th, 2026

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Explore New Jersey’s Mycological Herbarium Collections and learn about the domestication of fungi! On February 7th, 2026 there will be an Open House at Chrysler Herbarium where visitors can see specimens that belong to Rutgers University as well as those collected and curated by the New Jersey Mycological Association (NJMA).

Click here to download the flyer

Event Schedule

9:30 – 11.00 AM: Open House: Chrysler Herbarium & the Herbarium of Raymond M. Fatto and Dr. Eugene H. Varney Room 011 (basement), Biological Sciences Building, 1 Chemistry Drive, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Not ADA accessible, requires the use of stairs

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Special Lecture with Charlie Bruder Room 001, Ruth Adams Building, 12 Chemistry Drive, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Charlie Bruder is a microbiologist whose work focuses on fungal evolutionary biology. He is currently based in Corvallis, Oregon, where he studies human fungal pathogens and the genetic basis of fungal domestication in the Uehling laboratory at Oregon State University. Originally from Indiana, Charlie developed a passion for mycology as a teenager while exploring the deciduous woodlands of the Midwest. Outside of research, he runs a small vegetable farm and hopes to apply permaculture practices to support his community while caring for the Earth.

The Domestication of Mushrooms and miroFungi – How have fungi coevolved with humans? How might our interest and engagement with fungi shape their evolution, and how has this impacted human culture throughout history? This talk explores the science of domestication as it applies to both mushrooms and microscopic fungi. Come learn about the important and unexpected roles that fungi have played in agriculture, and how we might continue to use them today to ensure a more equal and sustainable food system. This will cover both past examples of fungal domestication from many different cultures, as well as present day examples and the relevance of genetic engineering.

Questions and Information

Parking Information: Please register for parking, parking is free to event attendees and allows parking in Rutgers parking Lot 69 located on Chemistry Drive and the Public Safety Parking Deck . Please let us know if you require handicap accessible parking.

Parking instructions: Copy and past the link (https://parkingbase.com/c/rutgers/d/3676664?eventId=e1b1ea2d-4edf-474b-9c15-9a6f68e756a6) into your internet browser window. You will click “Visitor” then enter your email and vehicle information to complete registration. Once completed you will receive an email and or text confirmation.

Rutgers affiliated Faculty, Staff and Students must have a Rutgers parking permit (Semester, Daily, or Event) and park accordingly. Faculty, Staff, and Students parking without a parking permit or outside their parking permit assignment will be subjected to ticketing and/or towing.

Having trouble registering for parking? Visit the how to book parking for a Rutgers Event webpage.

New Jersey Mycological Association (NJMA): More information on NJMA can be found on their website, https://www.njmyco.org/. Interested in becoming a member? Annual membership starts at just $10! Join or renew here: https://www.njmyco.org/joinrenew.html.

Mailing List Information: Sign up for Chrysler Herbarium’s mailing list to receive event information and updates. The mailing list is also used to share information about herbarium events, news and botanical research at Rutgers University. If you have trouble or receive any errors while subscribing, contact us at herbarium@sebs.rutgers.edu.

Donations

Support the New Jersey Mycological Association (NJMA)! Funds can be provided for the NJMA DNA Sequencing Fund or to the General Operating Fund to support future events (such as guest lectures), herbarium curation and digitization, and general operating costs.

Support our work at Chrysler Herbarium, including our internship program the Herbarium Army! Donations of any amount are much appreciated and go to support research, education, and outreach by the herbarium. You may make a donation to Chrysler Herbarium in-person during the open house event or by using this link at any time: Donate to Chrysler Herbarium.

Directions, Parking, Maps and more…

Cook/Douglass Campus Map (download)

The below include maps and links to all buildings and parking lots for both the Lecture and the Open House.

Maps, Directions, Addresses and more (click to view or download)

General Map of the Cook/Douglass Campus (click to view or download)

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Places to Stay

Places to Eat