Dr. James Kronstad received his PhD from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Washington in 1984. His thesis work involved the characterization of the genes encoding crystal protein toxins in the insect pathogen Bacillus thuringiensis. He then worked as a postdoctoral scientist at ZymoGenetics, Inc. (Seattle, WA) from 1984-1987. His research focused on heterologous protein expression, and the analysis of cell-type-specific gene expression in S. cerevisiae. Part of this work led to the discovery of the pheromone response element. Subsequently, he worked as a research biologist at the University of Wisconsin from 1987-1989. In this position, he developed tools to study fungal pathogens and identified mating type functions with roles in self versus nonself recognition and pathogenesis.  In 1989, he was recruited by the Nobel laureate Dr. Michael Smith to join the faculty at the University of British Columbia.  He was promoted to full professor in 1999 and was Director of the Michael Smith Laboratories (formerly, the Biotechnology Laboratory) from 2008 to 2017. His current research efforts focus on fungi that threaten human health either as plant pathogens that challenge crop production or as the direct agents of infectious diseases.

Dr. Allison Walker is a mycologist at Acadia University in Nova Scotia specializing in  coastal fungal biodiversity. Her research program employs molecular systematics, genomics, ecology, conservation, and applied mycology. She is co-Editor in Chief of the journal Fungal Ecology, Director of the E.C. Smith Herbarium, and a founding member of the IUCN SSC Specialist Group for Aquatic Fungi. She received her training at the University of Toronto, the USDA Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory, the University of Southern Mississippi, and through a joint postdoctoral position with AAFA Ottawa and Carleton University. Dr. Walker is an active member of the Canadian Fungal Research Network (CanFunNet) which hosts virtual conferences and aims to connect fungal researchers in Canada and beyond.