Truffle Talk with William Padilla-Brown

Join William Padilla-Brown as we discuss the fascinating relationship between truffles and mammals, and how this connection may have played a key role in the evolution of intelligent life on Earth.

It’s possible that after the extinction event, which wiped out the dinosaurs, truffles were a vital food source for surviving mammals with their high nutritional content and unique chemical composition.  In fact, researchers suggest that truffles may have been one of the first foods that triggered the part of the neural system responsible for learning and memory, which in turn may have led to increased cognitive function and the evolution of more intelligent mammals.

In addition to the incredible history of truffles, William will also discuss the different types of truffles, their distribution, and their unique culinary and cultural significance.   There is great economic and ecological potential with truffle cultivation for many local communities. 

William Padilla-Brown is a Multidisciplinary Citizen Scientist practicing social science, mycology, phycology, molecular biology, and additive manufacturing. William founded and is the current CEO of MycoSymbiotics, a permaculture research and production business based in Central Pennsylvania focused on innovative, practical applied biological science. William holds Permaculture Design Certificates acquired through Susquehanna Permaculture and NGOZI, and a Certificate from the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences for completing their Algal Culturing Techniques Course. William published the first books written in the English language on Cordyceps cultivation. William regularly teaches k-12 classes around the United States, for universities, including Cornell’s Small Farms Program, private clubs, and events, as well as offers private consultations. William is constantly in the mix of contemporary ritual in a nuanced modern Urban Shamanism, spending his time vlogging for social media, writing, researching, rapping, singing, and loving his Beautiful Lady Lydia, their son Leo, and baby daughter. William and his work have been featured on Fantastic Fungi, VICE, Buzzfeed, The Verge, Outside Magazine, Civil Eats, Public Goods, The Book “One Earth,” and much more.  

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