My Mushroom Hero: Tom Volk

In 2006, I was fortunate to receive a Fulbright scholarship that allowed me to spend half a year in the lab of the renowned mycologist, Dr. Tom Volk in Wisconsin. Despite the cold weather, I arrived early and was introduced to a whole new world of mushrooms by Tom, who also taught mycology to graduate students. Tom used pictures and songs to help me remember mushroom names. I didn’t fare well on multiple-choice quizzes as they were not my way of studying. During my stay, Tom introduced me to the other members of his team, and together we collaborated on scaling up mushrooms in bioreactors and attended various conferences.

Unfortunately, Tom was diagnosed with a heart condition and had to receive a heart transplant. I gave him a picture of an Egyptian saint, Pope Kirolos, which Tom stuck on his cell phone. One day, late at night, Tom received a call that a heart had been found. I accompanied him to the hospital along with other 2 students for his surgery.  Tom demonstrated bravery and compassion, apologizing to me for delaying the Fellowship program. I started to cry, seeing him care for others even in this moment. A priest came and we made a circle, holding hands and praying for Tom. After 4 hours Tom got a new heart.

Ayman Daba with Tom Volk after Tom’s heart surgery

Tom became famous in the news for holding his old heart. The video below tells this story. I have fond memories of various experiences with him, including mushroom forays, trying new foods like crocodile, finding fish in Tom’s fridge from years past, watching a movie about giant molds with Steve McQueen, and attending a party where a lady sang and Tom cooked many dishes. He called the party a “concert at Tom’s house.”

We met again in Slovenia a few years later. Tom never considered me as a student but as a friend who came from Egypt with young kids. I sent Tom photos of all of the successes of my daughter, Marina, and of my son, Thomas, growing up and then entering college. Tom was very happy. One Day I traveled to the Field Museum in Chicago to give a lecture about medicinal mushrooms. Tom told us to see Sue, who we thought was a secretary but instead, turned out to be a huge dinosaur skeleton.

Sadly, Tom passed away in 2022 after being diagnosed with cancer. I plan to honor Tom’s legacy by giving lectures on his contributions to mycology during my upcoming travels to a mushroom conference in London and an international medicinal mushroom conference in Italy. Tom was a compassionate man who loved to help others and his voice was unique in the field of mycology. His website contains a record of every mushroom on the planet.

Tom, enjoy every moment in heaven

with all the colorful mushrooms and morels that you love!