Welcome: Peter!

We are excited that our first PhD student has joined the lab: Peter Allen from the Stanford Biology Program. Peter has a background in mammalian cell engineering but has fallen in love with the beautiful world of fungi! Looking forward to seeing what Peter cooks up over the next several years!

Lucky us… read more below:

Peter began his research career as a technician in the Manguso Lab at the Broad Institute in Cambridge, MA, where he developed novel cell engineering therapies to treat cancer. At Stanford, Peter was inspired by the transformative potential of synthetic biology to tackle major challenges posed by the climate crisis. Drawn to fungi for their fascinating blend of basic biology and practical applications, he joined the Hill-Maini Lab. Peter is passionate about developing synthetic biology tools to unlock the untapped functional diversity of the fungal kingdom, with a focus on enabling fine-tuned control over hyphal structure using optogenetic tools. Outside the lab, Peter enjoys reading classic novels, embarking on long backpacking adventures, and perfecting his cooking skills. His favorite mushroom is Podoserpula pusio, the Pagoda Fungus, admired for the stunning multi-tiered fruiting bodies that inspire its name