About me
Molecular biologist by training, Mandie Quark is a passionate researcher and science communicator, specializing in fungal diversity. Based in the California Bay Area, she is dedicated to advancing citizen mycology through exploration, photography, DNA barcoding, and education. Mandie received her Masters in Biochemistry from University of the Sciences in 2014 and has 16+ years of experience with laboratory methods. She is currently the California Community Science Director for Mycota Lab, working towards a comprehensive biodiversity survey of macrofungi across North America. Her work also includes organizing international forays and mycology events such as those in Ecuador and Colombia, as well as the continental U.S. Devoted to fungal DNA barcoding initiatives, Mandie is an active member of the North American Mycological Association DNA Sequencing Committee and a dedicated volunteer for the Ohio Mushroom DNA Lab. As a keynote speaker and field collector, Mandie documents fungi worldwide—from local parks to the most remote ecosystems. She inspires curiosity about DNA sequencing and its power to reveal new species and ultimately help humans better understand the natural world.
