10/22/2026
Dr. Vinson Doyle and graduate student Stephen Saltamachia recently traveled to Quito, Ecuador, to attend the XII Latin American Mycology Congress (CLAM 12) before conducting fieldwork in the Cordillera del Cóndor region of northern Peru. During the conference, Stephen presented his research poster, “Beyond the Grave: Cryptic Diversity and Transmission Strategies in Neotropical Ant-Pathogenic Ophiocordyceps.”
Their time in the field was especially productive, as they spent five days camping in tents in the remote Amazonian rainforest, collecting numerous specimens of insect-pathogenic fungi. Their collections included several unusual species of Ophiocordyceps, fungi known for their remarkable ability to infect insects and, in some cases, manipulate their behavior. They also had opportunities to engage with members of the local Wampis Indigenous community, exchanging knowledge about the fascinating organisms found in the surrounding forest.
Overall, the trip provided valuable opportunities to collaborate with international colleagues, exchange research ideas, and further our understanding of the diversity and ecological importance of insect-pathogenic fungi in tropical ecosystems.
