The Last of Us explores a post-apocalyptic world where the Cordyceps fungus has evolved and can turn humans into zombie-like hosts. But it’s all just fiction, right? This panel of experts will help you understand whether a fungal apocalypse is truly possible and answer some burning questions like: How does a fungus turn something into a zombie? Can climate change make us more susceptible to disease and infection? What exactly did the green grape say to the purple grape? Featuring fungi expert Justin Schaffer, ecologist Earyn McGee (Find That Lizard, IF/THEN), biomedical engineer Ana Maria Porras (IF/THEN), forest ecologist Lindsey Rustad (IF/THEN), public health expert Kari Sant, and science education expert Lisa Lundgren (Cosplay For Science). Moderated by science communicator Gabriel-Philip Santos (Cosplay for Science, STEAMpopNetwork).
