Bios

My name is Camden. I am an outdoorsman and an Eagle Scout. My experience in the outdoors is what lead me to want to work on this project. Last year I did a similar research project in the first year Biotech class where I did DNA barcoding on gambel oak in the Colorado Front Range mountains, so I am very familiar with sample collection in the outdoors. On top of that, I participated in another outdoor science project that tested the effects of using goats for wildfire mitigation on the ecosystem. All of these experiences have prepared me well for this massive DNA barcoding project and I can't wait to start working on it.

Hello! My name is Andrew, and I am currently a junior at Rock Canyon. I have always been very interested in everything science, and that is what primarily lead me to take this program. Through the research program, I began to take on this amazing project! Last year, I took the Intro class which prepared me for everything that we are working to accomplish during our project. Additionally, I am an avid member of the Rock Canyon Band Program, playing the saxophone, and I am extremely involved in the nonprofit organization Operation Smile. I am really excited to be undertaking on this project this year.

Hello, my name is Jason. As long as I can remember I have been interested in science. In addition to science, I love everything about Colorado, especially the mountains. I’ve grown up in the mountains and I love everything from the little mushrooms on the ground to the snow-capped peaks on each summit. Last year I got the amazing opportunity to be in a biotechnology class, which prepared me for my own research on DNA barcoding. This year, I am able to conduct my own research combining my love for Colorado, and biotechnology! I am excited to be able to work on this project, and continuing throughout the biotechnology path at my school.

In this picture Camden is taking a photo of the gills of one of the samples we collected. He has taken a photography class in the past and is using a DSLR camera to make sure every detail of the mushroom is visible so it can later be identified based on it's phenotype.

Here Andrew is preparing to take a picture of the cell of one of the samples. Russula's have a different cell shape than other mushrooms. This means that we can test if we have in fact found a mushroom from the genus Russula.

Jason is holding a sample to be photographed so it can be identified later. he is demonstrating the proper PPE by wearing his rubber gloves to handle the sample. The mushrooms aren't harmful unless they are ingested, so the rubber gloves are just to insure the sample isn't contaminated with human DNA.