ICArmenian-Mycologists (ICAM)
International Congress of Armenian Mycologists is a collaborative effort between Armenian mycologists: Tania Kurbessoian Ph.D., Claudia Bashian-Victoroff M.S., Patty Kaishian Ph.D., and Arik Joukhajian.
ICAM Mission Statement
The International Congress of Armenian Mycologists (ICAM) is a network of research scientists of Armenian ethnicity. Our diverse research backgrounds on various aspects of fungal biology are allied in the mission of biological, ecological, and social welfare of all Armenian life forms. As an organization we strive to conduct critical scientific research on the understudied fungal kingdom in the both ancient yet contemporary civilization of Armenia.
Armenia is a predominantly indigenous nation in West Asia whose vibrancy and beauty has withstood the terrors of colonization and genocide for hundreds of years. As Armenians are locked in a struggle of liberation and self-determination against such forces, we believe that human liberation is intimately linked to the liberation of all life, not least of which is fungal. Drawing from Armenia’s strong tradition of land stewardship and intimacy with nonhuman life forms, the goal of ICAM is to leverage our passions and training as scientists to simultaneously advance mycological science and Armenian sovereignty.
We seek to build science capacity in Armenia by: collaborating with the nation’s already successful scientists through shared grants, co-authorship, and resource allocation; by providing financed scientific mentorship to Armenian youth; and by gathering biological data that can be used in the protection of land and life. Because fungi are understudied worldwide, and Armenia has been home to a low proportion of that research, we aim to describe new species and accrue data for answering critical ecological and evolutionary questions. Seating such research in Armenia will serve to bolster Armenia’s overall impact and contribution to science.
Despite the common assertion to the contrary, science is informed by sociopolitical forces. ICAM recognizes and affirms the positive relationship between indigenous sovereignty and biological diversity in Armenia and beyond, and stands in solidarity with all indigenous social justice efforts around the world.
Highlights
Our Research
Our research interest ranges from saprotrophic/mycorrhizal fungal diversity, the use of ectomycorrhizal fungi for forest remediation, and Khachkar lichen diersity. Please reach out to us if you are interested in collaborating.
Our Projects
We currently have three fungal projects involving our American and Armenian teams:
Project 1: Exploring fungal ecology and biodiversity throughout Armenia.
Project 2: Oak Mycorrhizae, Composition of fungal partners comparing Kirtland, Ohio and Yerevan, Armenia.
Project 3: Khatchkar lichen biodiversity in Armenia.
Project 4: Bioinfromatics in Armenia.
Our team consists of accomplished author, writer, scientist and thinker Dr. Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian, mycorrhizae-whisperer and rock-climbing extraordinaire Claudia Bashian-Victoroff M.Sc., Joshua Tree mycorrhizae and fire fungi expert Arik Joukhajian, and recent Microbiology graduate Dr. Tania Kurbessoian (who specializes in black yeast population genomics).
The International Congress of Armenian Mycologists welcomes people from diverse backgrounds regardless of race, ethinicity, religion, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, political affiliation, national origin, or disability. Our main goal is to uplift the indigenous Armenian peoples in the scientific community.
Donate
Become a donor today.
As a small grassroots organization, know that every dollar will have an immense impact on our ability to continue working towards our mission.
Contributions are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. ICAM is a 501(c)(3) organization.