Billy

Billy is a PhD candidate at the University of Aberdeen, where he investigates the impacts of fungi and fungi-like organisms on wild salmon populations in Scotland. His research focuses on fungal pathogenicity, oomycete evolution and phylogenetics, and the complex interactions between ectomycorrhizal and endophytic fungi, as well as plant-pathogenic oomycetes and fungi. A passionate mycologist, Billy has been leading mushroom foraging courses across Northeast Scotland since 2019. Exploring woodlands in search of unusual and fascinating fungi remains one of his greatest enthusiasms.
He is also actively involved in several organizations dedicated to wildlife conservation and fungal research. He is a member of the Greek NGO Arcturos, which works to protect wildlife in Greece, as well as the Greek Mushroom Society, the British Mycological Society, and the South American Mycorrhizal Research Network.
Over the years, Billy has presented his research extensively at scientific conferences and has participated in numerous mycology-focused events, such as the All Things Fungi Festival in 2024.