The Truffle Research and Production Initiative (TRAPI) was initiated with a 2022 USDA planning grant with the goal of coordinating field and lab truffle research and outreach activities between North American truffle growers and researchers. TRAPI scientists represent a wide range of disciplines including mycologists, molecular biologists, soil scientists, orchard agronomists, tree ecophysiologists, entomologists as well as extension and social scientists.  This trans-disciplinary research team is closely collaborating with truffle orchard grower-owners, truffle seedling nursery specialists, truffle dog handlers, food scientists, on-farm recreation ventures, agronomic suppliers, and fresh truffle wholesalers and retailer to encompass the range of truffle orchard service industry in existence in NA today. TRAPI researchers continue to stay engaged in outreach to the truffle industry including surveys of research interests, webinars on priority topics, and have contributed to a peer-reviewed article on the “Status of truffle science and cultivation in North America”. TRAPI research efforts are focused on increasing North American truffle orchard yields. 

Gregory Bonito – Associate Professor – Michigan State University – bonito@msu.edu

Mark Coleman – Professor – University of Idaho – mcoleman@uidaho.edu

Stephen Cook – Professor – University of Idaho – stephenc@uidaho.edu

Jeanine Davis – Associate Professor – NC State University – jeanine_davis@ncsu.edu

Roberto Garibay Orijel – Professor – Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico – rgaribay@ib.unam.mx

Gonzalo Guevara – Professor – Tecnológico Nacional de México – guevaragg@hotmail.com

Patrick Hatzenbuehler – University of Idaho – phatzenbuehler@uidaho.edu

Robert Heinse – University of Idaho – rheinse@uidaho.edu

Gavin Kernaghan – Professor – Mt. Saint Vincent University – Gavin.Kernaghan@msvu.ca

Christopher McIntosh – Professor – University of Idaho – mcintosh@uidaho.edu

Inga Meadows – Extension Plant Pathologist – NC State University – inga_meadows@ncsu.edu

Jyotsna Sharma – Professor – Texas Tech University – Jyotsna.Sharma@ttu.edu

Matthew Smith – Professor – University of Florida – trufflesmith@ufl.edu

Jason Winfree – Professor – University of Idaho – jwinfree@uidaho.edu