Dr. Greg Fonzo is a neuroscientist and Co-Director of the Center for Psychedelic Research & Therapy at the University of Texas at Austin, where his work focuses on the neurobiological mechanisms, clinical applications, and therapeutic potential of psychedelics including psilocybin. He holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience and specializes in research that bridges brain science with emerging clinical paradigms to better understand how psychedelic compounds can support mental health and well-being. At the conference, Dr. Fonzo will share insights on the latest scientific findings, ongoing clinical studies, and the future of psilocybin-assisted therapies in both research and therapeutic settings

Award-winning American food and nature writer, chef, and amateur mycologist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Food & Wine and more. She is the author or editor of several books on food and fungi, including Fantastic Fungi Community Cookbook, and has lectured extensively on mushrooms, ecology, and sustainable food. Eugenia also appears in the documentary Fantastic Fungi.

Executive Director of the Central Texas Mycological Society, Angel is a passionate mycology educator, forager, urban gardener, and community organizer. Their work bridges fungal ecology, education, and sustainable practices, helping people connect with the fungal kingdom through hands-on experiences and community-powered learning.

Executive Director of Texans for Greater Mental Health and policy advocate specializing in psychedelic-assisted therapies and mental health reform. Logan previously served as Legislative Director and Chief of Staff for Rep. Alex Dominguez, helping guide landmark psychedelic research legislation in Texas. At the conference, he speaks about legal and policy work advancing psychedelic therapies statewide.

Founder of Hamilton’s Mushrooms, a functional mushroom products brand focused on science-backed extracts and public education about fungal health benefits. Hamilton brings entrepreneurial insight into building a functional mushroom business and sharing the holistic value of medicinal fungi.

Dr. Danielle Stevenson is a multidisciplinary environmental toxicologist and applied mycologist with over a decade of experience advancing fungi-based remediation and ecological restoration. She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology from the University of California, Riverside, where her dissertation focused on using fungi and plants to rehabilitate polluted soils. Danielle is founder and Scientific Director of the Centre for Applied Ecological Remediationand has led multiple initiatives — including D.I.Y. Fungi and Healing City Soils — that bridge research, community action, and practical solutions for cleaning contaminated sites using natural systems like mycoremediation. Her work tackles complex environmental challenges, such as breaking down petrochemicals and heavy metals with fungal systems, while empowering communities with hands-on science and education

Josh Googins is the founder and driving force behind Fallen Oak Mycology, a USDA Organic and MGAP-certified mushroom cultivation company based just outside of Austin, Texas. With deep roots in sustainable agriculture and mycology, Josh has grown Fallen Oak into a 25,000 sq ft facility producing organic gourmet mushrooms, lab-grade substrates, extracts, and regenerative compost while making fungal cultivation accessible to both large growers and home enthusiasts. His work emphasizes the ecological potential of fungi — from boosting soil health with spent blocks and compost to scaling production systems that support local food systems and environmental regeneration.

Co-founder of the Central Texas Mycological Society and a leader with MycoAlliance, Daniel focuses on applied mycology for environmental impact, including community-based remediation and hands-on fungal workshops that empower people to work with fungi for soil health and ecosystem regeneration.

Matt Powers is a best-selling author, permaculture educator, and regenerative systems specialist with a Masters in Education and decades of experience teaching people around the world how to work with soil, plants, microbes, and ecosystems in holistic, sustainable ways. He is the creator of The Permaculture Student curriculum — a widely used permaculture education series published in multiple languages — and leads workshops, online courses, and speaking engagements that empower beginners to farmers with practical regenerative skills. Matt’s work focuses on soil regeneration, sustainable gardening, ecology, and community resilience, helping individuals and communities cultivate healthier food systems and ecosystems through accessible, science-informed practices.

Dr. Venkatesh Balan is an Associate Professor of Biotechnology at the University of Houston’s Cullen College of Engineering with over 28 years of research experience in microbial biotechnology, bioengineering, and sustainable bioprocessing. He holds a Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and has authored 190+ peer-reviewed publications, holds multiple patents, and led multimillion-dollar research programs spanning industrial biotech, microbial fermentation, and biomass conversion. At UH he leads work on sustainable production systems — including advanced IoT-integrated mushroom cultivation research that aims to improve efficiency, environmental impact, and value-added fungal products. His interdisciplinary work bridges engineering, ecology, and food systems to advance both scientific knowledge and real-world applications of fungi and microbiomes.

Founder of Mycopreneur, a global hub and podcast for mushroom entrepreneurs and enthusiasts. Dennis blends humor, culture, and insight as he highlights current trends in the psychedelic and mushroom world. At the conference he moderates and energizes conversations about community, innovation, and the evolving mycology space.

Mario Callaway is a co-founder of good dirt®, a mission-driven brand blending urban agriculture, sustainability, and the power of fungi to support gut health and holistic wellness. Alongside his partner Lynn, Mario helped create good dirt®, a natural, mushroom-powered prebiotic beverage rooted in their personal journey toward better health and deeper connection with nature. The company champions sustainable sourcing, environmental stewardship, and community impact through products that bring the benefits of fungi and natural ingredients into everyday lives. good dirt® reflects Mario’s commitment to making nature’s gifts both accessible and enjoyable.

Cody Masters is an avid mycologist and nature educator dedicated to making mushroom cultivation and fungal knowledge accessible to people of all backgrounds. With over a decade of hands-on experience, he is a Mycosymbyotics-certified Cordyceps grower and extraction artist, has developed his own line of performance-enhancing mushroom supplements, and teaches practical workshops on cultivation, composting, and medicinal mushroom preparation. Cody brings a playful yet informed approach to mycology, helping demystify fungi and inspire others to grow and work with mushrooms in everyday life.

David Lewis is a retired chemist and celebrated mycologist best known for his extensive work documenting the fungi of East Texas and the Gulf Coast. He holds a B.S. and M.S. from Lamar University, where his master’s research focused on the mushrooms of southeast Texas. David is a Research Associate with the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago and the Tracy Herbarium at Texas A&M University, with thousands of fungal specimens from his collections housed in these major institutions. He co-authored Mushrooms of the Gulf Coast States, has published numerous papers in mycology, served as Fungal TWiG coordinator for the Big Thicket National Preserve biodiversity inventory, and has had several species named in his honor. His decades of foray leadership, species discovery, and community education have earned him prestigious recognitions, including the North American Mycological Association’s award for Contributions to Amateur Mycology.

Dr. Lynette Averill is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine, a clinical research psychologist at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, and holds a faculty appointment at Yale School of Medicine. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Utah and completed advanced clinical training including a fellowship at the National Center for PTSD and Yale’s Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Averill is internationally recognized for her research on the neurobiological mechanisms of trauma, stress-related disorders, and novel rapid-acting interventions including psychedelic-assisted therapies. She served as a subject-matter expert on Texas House Bill 1802 — legislation that funds clinical trials of psilocybin therapy for veterans with PTSD — and is leading that research. Her work bridges rigorous clinical science with real-world impacts on mental health treatment, particularly in underserved populations.

Alex Dominguez is a former Texas State Representative best known for championing H.B. 1802, the landmark bill that established a legal framework for psilocybin research in Texas. His work at the intersection of public policy, science, and therapeutic innovation has helped open new opportunities for research-driven approaches to psychedelics and mental health in the state.

Aixa” Hernandez is a fungal educator, myco-materials researcher, and community organizer exploring how mycelium can replace plastics and other extractive materials with biodegradable, regenerative alternatives. Her work spans mycelium-based packaging, paper, and experimental textiles, alongside hands-on education that makes fungal science accessible across cultures and communities. As co-founder of MyceliumMatters and organizer of the Texas Mushroom Conference, Aixa bridges research, design, and public education—demonstrating how fungi can reshape food systems, materials science, and ecological futures through creativity, equity, and collaboration.

April Couliun is a mycology educator and active member of the Central Texas Mycological Society, where she helps support community learning around fungal ecology, identification, and cultivation. Through workshops, forays, and public education, April is passionate about making mycology approachable and empowering people to build deeper relationships with fungi and the natural world.

Hector Garcia is a mycology enthusiast and educator with the Central Texas Mycological Society, focused on fungal identification, ecology, and community science. His work emphasizes hands-on learning and inclusive access to mycological knowledge, helping connect people of all backgrounds to the ecological importance and cultural relevance of fungi in Central Texas.

Marlon Rison is the founder of Community Vegan, a Texas-based plant-based food project known for showcasing how mushrooms can replace meat without sacrificing flavor, culture, or nourishment. Through community pop-ups, food truck service, and education, Marlon highlights fungi as a powerful tool for health, sustainability, and accessible vegan cooking. His work celebrates mushrooms as a bridge between traditional comfort foods and a more conscious, plant-forward future.

José Aguirre is the co-founder of One Up Mushrooms, a Texas-based mushroom farm and brand focused on growing fresh gourmet mushrooms and expanding community access to fungi. Based in McAllen, José blends hands-on cultivation with entrepreneurship to support local food systems, education, and the growing mushroom movement across the state.

Sean Henry is the founder of Hi-Fi Mycology, one of Austin’s pioneering urban mushroom farms. Since launching Hi-Fi in 2017, Sean has helped expand access to gourmet and medicinal mushrooms through farmers markets, local partnerships, and education. His work blends precision cultivation, sustainability, and community engagement, highlighting fungi’s role in resilient food systems and ecological health.