Alexander Bradshaw, Ph. D.
Post Doctoral Scholar
ABradshaw@clarku.edu
Alexander Bradshaw is a mycologist with experience in microbiology, including work with bacterial and fungal specimens. He values biodiversity in all forms but has a strong passion for Fungi. In his professional career, he has developed skills and interests in areas including museomics, genomics, systematics, conservation, DNA purification, ancient DNA analysis, phylogenetics, molecular biology, bioinformatics, biomechanics, and bioinspired materials. He also values a strong collaborative nature and believes that working with diverse people with many ideas helps to foster scientific inspiration and facilitate the success of the mycological community. In this spirit he has performed field work across the world, working with many friends and colleagues to further our understanding of Fungal diversity.
His past and current research has primarily focused on systematics and evolution of the genus of “Magic mushrooms” Psilocybe, which produce psychoactive compounds with high therapeutic potential for the treatment of myriad mental health issues. However, more broadly, Alex is interested in exploring the complexity and evolution of fungal secondary metabolites, which have been utilized by humans throughout history for food, medicine, and in reclaiming polluted environments. Embracing the breadth of biological and chemical diversity that Fungi exhibit is paramount to understanding their role in nature, how they shape the environment around them, and how they influence the organisms the interact with.
Another unexplored realm of mycology is the functional development of morphology, such as how a mushroom is produced. For his post-doctoral research, Alex is working in the lab of Dr. David Hibbett and Dr. Javier Tabima, where he is studying the systematics, functional genetics, and population structures of the gilled, and sometimes secotioid, polypore mushroom, Lentinus tigrinus.
You can read more about Alex’s past research here:
Fieldwork experience:
Costa Rica, United States (Continental), United States (Alaska), Mexico, New Zealand, China (Yunnan province), Japan, Vietnam, United Kingdom (Scotland), United Kingdome (England).
Degrees
PhD in Biology, University of Utah (Dentinger Lab), Salt Lake City, Utah, 2022
BSc in Cell and Molecular Biology, Minor In Sociology, Minor in Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City Utah, 2016