MSSF Meetings

On the third Tuesday of each month from September thru May, the Mycological Society of San Francisco has a General Meeting at the Randall Museum.


The highlight of each meeting is a speaker with slides on some aspect of mycology and mushrooming: ecology, taxonomy, mycophagy, sociology, etc. Before each meeting members bring collections which are put on display and identified. Refreshments are served before the meeting.
  • Doors open and identification starts at 6:30 pm.
  • Announcements begin at 7:30 pm, followed by the presentation.
  • Note: General Meetings are open to the public.
    • If a meeting is expected to be so popular that attendance would exceed room capacity in the Randall Museum Theater, reserved seating is instituted and there may be an admission fee for non-members.
    • Meetings will also be available via Zoom

Brian Perry

  • Talk Title: "Illuminating Fungi - the Science of Fungal Bioluminescence"
  • Meeting date and time: 7:30 pm PST, Tuesday, March 19th, 2024
  • Dr. Perry presents in-person at the Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way, San Francisco
  • Virtually: Join the Zoom Meeting
    • Meeting ID: 891 8438 9640
    • Passcode: 608192

Abstract:

Fungal bioluminescence was first described by Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.), and continues to fascinate and puzzle scientists today.

While over 100 species of fungi are known to produce luminescent mushrooms or mycelium, the chemical and genetic basis of the light-producing reaction was only recently discovered, and the reason these fungi glow remains somewhat of a mystery.

Come learn about our current understanding of the evolution, ecology and biochemistry of this phenomenon. And yes, there will be lots of pictures of glowing mushrooms!


Brian Perry Biography:
Brian Perry is a Professor of Biology at California State University East Bay, and Director of the HAY Fungarium. He received his Master's Degree from San Francisco State University under the guidance of Dr. Dennis E. Desjardin, and his Ph.D. from Harvard University where he studied with Dr. Donald H. Pfister.

Brian has been studying fungi since 1995, and has published over 45 papers in scientific journals. In addition to studying the evolution of fungal bioluminescence, he also conducts research on mushrooms and other fungi of Vanuatu, the assembly and biogeography of island fungal communities, endophytic fungi, and the systematics of Mycena and allied genera.

Brian teaches several mycology courses at Cal State East Bay and the Sierra Nevada Field Campus.


Parasol mushroom

2024 Meetings

2023 Meetings

2022 Meetings

  • Tuesday, November 15, 2022 video
  • Tuesday, October 18, 2022 video
  • Tuesday, September 20, 2022 video
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 17, 2022 video
  • Tuesday, April 19, 2022 video
  • Tuesday, March 15, 2022 video
  • Tuesday, February 15, 2022
  • Tuesday, January 18, 2022

2021 Meetings

  • Tuesday, December 21, 2021
  • Tuesday, November 16, 2021
  • Tuesday, October 19, 2021
  • Tuesday, September 21, 2021
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 18, 2021
  • Tuesday, April 20, 2021
  • Tuesday, March 16, 2021
  • Tuesday, February 16, 2021
  • Tuesday, January 19, 2021

2020 Meetings

  • Tuesday, December 15, 2020
  • Tuesday, November 17, 2020
  • Tuesday, October 20, 2020
  • Tuesday, September 15, 2020
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 19, 2020
  • Tuesday, April 21, 2020 - cancelled due to COVID-19
  • Tuesday, March 17, 2020
  • Tuesday, February 18, 2020
  • Tuesday, January 21, 2020

2019 Meetings

  • No meeting in December, Fungus Fair on Sunday, December 8, 2019
  • Tuesday, November 19, 2019
  • Tuesday, October 15, 2019
  • Tuesday, September 17, 2019
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 21, 2019
  • Tuesday, April 16, 2019
  • Tuesday, March 19, 2019
  • Tuesday, February 19, 2019
  • Tuesday, January 15, 2019

2018 Meetings

  • No meeting in December
  • Tuesday, November 20, 2018
  • Tuesday, October 15, 2018
  • Tuesday, September 17, 2018
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 21, 2018
  • Tuesday, April 17, 2018
  • Tuesday, March 20, 2018
  • Tuesday, February 20, 2018
  • Tuesday, January 16, 2018

2017 Meetings

  • No meeting in December
  • Tuesday, November 21, 2017
  • Tuesday, October 17, 2017
  • Tuesday, September 19, 2017
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 16, 2017
  • Tuesday, April 18, 2017
  • Tuesday, March 21, 2017
  • Tuesday, February 21, 2017
  • Tuesday, January 17, 2017

2016 Meetings

  • No meeting in December
  • Tuesday, November 15, 2016
  • Tuesday, October 18, 2016
  • Tuesday, September 20, 2016
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 17, 2016
  • Tuesday, April 19, 2016
  • Tuesday, March 15, 2016
  • Tuesday, February 16, 2016
  • Tuesday, January 19, 2016

2015 Meetings

  • No meeting in December
  • Tuesday, November 17, 2015
  • Tuesday, October 20, 2015
  • Tuesday, September 15, 2015 2015 video
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 19, 2015
  • Tuesday, April 21, 2015
  • Tuesday, March 17, 2015
  • Tuesday, February 17, 2015
  • Tuesday, January 20, 2015

2014 Meetings

  • No meeting in December
  • Tuesday, November 18, 2014
  • Tuesday, October 21, 2014
  • Tuesday, September 16, 2014 video
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 20, 2014
  • Tuesday, April 15, 2014 video
  • Tuesday, March 18, 2014 video
  • Tuesday, February 18, 2014 video
  • Tuesday, January 21, 2014 video

2013 Meetings

  • No meeting in December
  • Tuesday, November 19, 2013 video
  • Tuesday, October 15, 2013 video
  • Tuesday, September 17, 2013 Talk "&" Slides
  • No meetings June-August
  • Tuesday, May 21, 2013 video
  • Tuesday, April 16, 2013 video 1 video 2
  • Tuesday, March 19, 2013 video
  • Tuesday, February 19, 2013
  • Tuesday, January 15, 2013