Stamets

Stamets is a surname. The name is most prominently associated with Paul Stamets, an American mycologist and entrepreneur whose work centers on the study and application of mushrooms.

Paul Stamets (born 1955) is a prominent figure in mycology and a vocal advocate for the ecological and medicinal potential of fungi. He founded Fungi Perfecti, LLC, in 1994 in Olympia, Washington, a company that develops and sells edible and medicinal mushroom products, growing supplies, and culture systems, and that supports research and education in mycology. Stamets has promoted concepts such as mycoremediation, the use of fungi to remediate polluted environments, and the broader ecological roles of mushrooms in soil health, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem restoration.

Stamets has authored several books intended for both general readers and practitioners. His works include Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms (2000), which provides cultivation techniques and guidance on edible and medicinal species, and Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Save the World (2005), which discusses the ecological functions of fungi and their potential applications in sustainability. He has also contributed to popular science media and public documentaries, most notably appearing in the 2019 film Fantastic Fungi, which explores mushroom biology and ecological significance. Stamets’s public profile centers on education, entrepreneurship, and the advocacy of mushrooms as allies in health, ecology, and innovation.