6th Annual CanFunNet Fungal Biology Conference

The Canadian Fungal Research Network (CanFunNet) was established in 2019 to promote fungal research in Canada by facilitating dialogue among scientists working across diverse sub-disciplines and institutions. We have held virtual CanFunNet conferences in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 with  approximately 300 participants each year and many presentations from researchers at all levels. In 2024, we held a special symposium with the Mycological Society of America in Markham, ON. After feedback from the community, we are excited to be back to the virtual format to increase the accessibility of this conference!

This year, we are excited to host a virtual meeting with the theme “Fungi from local to global”. Our scientific program will continue to showcase cutting-edge mycological research from around the world with a distinctly Canadian angle. As always, we hope to provide as many presentation opportunities as possible to showcase the work of trainees. This year’s conference will continue to feature thoughtful interactive features that will provide enriched opportunities to exchange information and ideas and form networks and collaborations in fungal research. 

Hosted by Acadia University

The Canadian Fungal Research Network (CanFunNet) was established in 2019 to promote fungal research in Canada by facilitating dialogue among scientists working across diverse sub-disciplines and institutions. The first CanFunNet conference was held virtually in July 2020, with an audience of 310 participants from 89 institutions across Canada, and 63 presenters representing all career stages. This initial success was followed up by a joint virtual conference with the Great Lakes Mycology Meetings in May 2021 with 339 participants from 94 institutions in 15 countries and 152 presenters. In 2022, our 3rd Annual Virtual Conference was hosted by the University of Alberta, with 261 participants from 106 institutions in 18 countries and 127 presenters. (see the 2020 program , 2021 program and 2022 program).

This year, we are excited to go east to the Canadian Maritimes for CanFunNet23, our 4th Annual Virtual Meeting hosted by Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia and the New Brunswick Museum in Saint John. Building on our previous meetings, our program is being structured around an exciting line-up of plenary talks and invited sessions under the theme “Fungi from Coast to Coast”. Our scientific program will continue to showcase cutting-edge mycological research from around the world with a distinctly Canadian angle. This year’s conference, after three years of a global pandemic, will continue to feature thoughtful interactive features that will provide enriched opportunities to exchange information and ideas and form networks and collaborations in fungal research.

Hosted by the University of Alberta

The Canadian Fungal Research Network (CanFunNet) was established in 2019 to promote fungal research in Canada by facilitating dialogue among scientists working across diverse sub-disciplines and institutions. The first CanFunNet conference was held virtually in July 2020, with an audience of 310 participants from 89 institutions across Canada, and 63 presenters representing all career stages. This initial success was followed up by a joint virtual conference with the Great Lakes Mycology Meetings in May 2021 with 339 participants from 94 institutions in 15 countries and 152 presenters (see the 2020 program and 2021 program).

This year, we are excited to go west for the first time with CanFunNet for a virtual meeting hosted by the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Continuing in the footsteps of previous meetings, our program is being structured around an exciting line-up of plenary talks and invited sessions under the theme “Fungi at the Crossroads of Health and Ecosystems”. Our scientific program will continue to showcase cutting-edge mycological research from around the world with a distinctly Canadian angle. This year’s conference, after two years of a global pandemic, will feature thoughtful new interactive features that will provide enriched opportunities to exchange information and ideas and form networks and collaborations in fungal research.