Hi, my name is Tyler Hacking. I am a senior undergraduate research student studying Botany at Utah Valley University. My research foci include microbiogeophysicochemistry, environmental control technology, bioinformatic analysis, soil science, agricultural plant, fungal and bacterial microbial ecology and molecular genetics. I was inspired to return to school by witnessing the significant medical and nutritional benefits of specific plants, fungi and bacteria along with a desire to understand more. In my time at Utah Valley University I have participated in, designed, and lead 12 research projects for which I am writing publications and am presenting to research conferences. Research has enabled me to learn the skills necessary to be competitive in my career as a scientist and provided me the opportunity to become comprehensive of these research topics. Student research has been the best part of my education and has prepared me to enter a PhD program. The path of the scientist is a challenging, yet endlessly rewarding one, that grants you the power to influence the world around you in positive ways. Professionally, I own a successful consultancy. My focus is on the improvement of soil quality with sustainable, renewable and practical methods, business consultation, R&D consultation, product formulation and development, research experimentation and soil production via compost and mixing for specific climates and crops. I have clients nationally in the USA and internationally. I work closely with organizations like the Global Hemp Association, the United States department of agriculture and more. My career as a photographer has brought me to many place and taught me many things. While I have a preference for plant and fungal biological documentary photography and journalistic photography I have also worked with professional models. My career as a chef satisfies me every day. I am obsessed with molecular gastronomy and human nutrition. My personal view of nutrition stems from soil. We are what our food eats.Recently, I have begun videographically documenting a project named, "The Entheogencia" which focuses on the impacts of entheogenic compounds on human quality of life, medical conditions and other variables. This is paired with a project I started on Inaturalist named, "The Entheogecopia" which documents the population density and geophysical distribution of potentially entheogenic compound containing organisms. I am currently an avid mushroom hunter focusing on the genus Morchella and its biogeochemical associations.
