From 27 May to 1 June, Prof. Bernard Slippers, Nicole van Vuuren, and Kiara Munsamy represented FABI during a collaborative Mycobiomics field expedition in Kenya. Kiara and Nicole began their journey in Watamu, hosted by Prof. Josphat Matasyoh from Egerton University, and were later joined by Prof. Slippers.

The international team, including scientists from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Kenya, South Africa, and Thailand, worked together in the biodiverse Arabuko Sokoke Forest, located north of Malindi. The team conducted collections of soil, mushrooms, and insect- and plant-associated fungi from multiple sites.

After each successful day in the field, the team gathered for lab work, knowledge exchange, sharing techniques and insights on fungal biodiversity before coming together for dinner. The expedition concluded with the majority of the team travelling to South Africa to participate in the Mycobiomics meeting held at FABI, where they continued to foster international collaboration and advance the global understanding of fungal research and its diversity.