About Us and Our Team

UNIVERSITY OF BOLOGNA

Prof. Alessandra Zambonelli is at the pinnacle of truffle research globally. Prof. Zambonelli has been responsible for major international truffle research collaborations, has co-authored over 200 scientific publications, and many Italian books on truffles and one in English “Taming the truffle. The history, lore and science of the ultimate mushroom". Prof. Zambonelli has been a part of more than 70 national and international mycological conferences, often as an organizing or scientific committee member. Prof. Zambonelli is based at the University of Bologna’s Department of Agriculture and Food Science, and is heavily involved in the global expansion of the culinary truffle industry based on the latest science and innovation.

MURDOCH UNIVERSITY

Prof. Treena Burgess is the Research Director at Murdoch University's Institute, Research and Innovation, and is a global expert in plant pathogens, biosecurity, ecology and genetics of beneficial and detrimental microorganisms in natural ecosystems, plantations, and horticulture. With over 300 peer-reviewed science publications, Prof. Burgess has made significant contributions in fungal pathogen population genetics, cryptic speciation, pathogen movement, survival and establishment in relation to forest biosecurity. Prof Burgess also has collaborative projects across Australia, South Africa and South East Asia, and is a key element in advancing the science of our diversification of the truffle industry in Australia.

MURDOCH UNIVERSITY

Prof. Giles Hardy is a Professor of Forest Pathology, and an affiliate of the Centre of Excellence for Climate Change Woodland and Forest Health at Murdoch University. With over 700 peer-review publications, Prof. Hardy is a world-leading expert on diseases on ecosystem function and health of managed and natural ecosystems, including mining rehabilitation, horticultural, plantation forestry, and agriculture. Prof. Hardy's expertise includes identifying pathogens, determining factors influencing disease, and establishing appropriate methods of disease control to safeguard the health and possible threats to Australian ecosystems from new pathogens.

RESEARCHER

Dr Bill Dunstan is a renowned researcher specialising in containment and eradication of fungal pathogens and establishing experimental programmes with government and other agencies in natural ecosystems. With around 50 peer-reviewed publications and a long history in the mycorrhizal forest species and truffle inoculation, Dr Dunstan brings a wealth of experience with the nursery seedling and nursery research in relation to biosecurity.

MURDOCH UNIVERSITY

Dr Mark P McHenry has run the family farm for over 15 years at Mt Lindesay near Denmark Western Australia. Dr Mark has followed in his parents footsteps in improving the farm agroecology within the unique bioregion. With his young family he has diversified the farm from prime lamb into specialty fresh foods with his science background. Dr Mark has a PhD in Physics, is a Fulbright Scholar, Australian Endeavour Research Fellow, and a Science & Innovation awardee with over 150 peer-reviewed publications. Dr Mark has practical and research experience in clean energy, water technologies, agricultural productivity, and international development for rural communities.

MANAGING DIRECTOR GREAT SOUTHERN TRUFFLES

A business born from passion, he came out of the gates swinging, punching far above our weight from the start. He graduated in International Business Management from University of New South Wales, and he also holds a Project Management & Executive Development diploma from the Australian Institute of Management. With over 20 years of experience developing and commercialising innovative enterprises, Wilson has highly developed skills in overall strategy, financial/operational management of multi-site, national and international based operations. He started working with one of the largest truffle farms in Western Australia back in 2006. Since there, he has seen the demand for truffles skyrocket. So today, Great Southern Truffles distribute truffles to some of the most celebrated chefs in Australia, Europe, and the USA.

MYCOLOGIST

A local Certified Mycologist, Lecturer and Truffle Specialist. Since a young age, mushrooms and truffles have always been his passion, and he has invested years studying fungi, including genetic biology, taxonomy, and cultivation. After graduating from Natural Science at the University of Florence, Mr Paci then obtained his first Master’s Degree in Mycology at the University of Bologna. To increase his professional capabilities, he chose to complete his second Master’s Degree in Food Quality Control to utilise his knowledge in food manufacturing. Federico uses his mycological expertise as a truffle consultant and conducting projects in research and development.

PhD CANDIDATE MURDOCH UNIVERSITY

Mahesh Galappathi is a PhD candidate at Murdoch University researching novel Australian truffle cultivation and biosecurity with Silverplace and the Future Food Systems Cooperative Research Centre (FFSCRC). Mahesh has a BSc and MSc in Environmental Sciences from the Open University of Sri Lanka, and the University of Peradeniya. His industry experience and impressive early career peer-reviewed publications in the field of mycology gives Mahesh an excellent foundation to advance Australian truffle research as part of the collaboration between Murdoch University, University of Bologna, Silverplace, and the FFSCRC.