Hazel’s work did not end with the naming of the species. She is currently engaged in the difficult task of determining the most effective ways to culture the fungus in a laboratory setting. Periglandula clandestina is a slow-growing organism, which presents a challenge for researchers who need large amounts of the fungus for study. Mastering the cultivation of this species is a necessary step for any future industrial or pharmaceutical applications.
Furthermore, Hazel is expanding her scope to investigate other species of morning glories. Given the diversity within the morning glory family, she is curious to see if other yet-to-be-described fungal symbionts are responsible for the alkaloid profiles of different plants. This suggests that Periglandula clandestina may be just the first of many discoveries in this specific field of microbiology.
Reflecting on the experience, Hazel expressed a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to such a long-standing scientific inquiry. She acknowledged the element of luck involved in looking in the right place at the right time, but her success is clearly rooted in the diligent application of her training as a microbiologist. Her ability to recognize the significance of the "fuzz" on a seed coat transformed a routine study of root systems into a breakthrough that validated a 70-year-old hypothesis.
The collaboration between Hazel and Panaccione serves as a testament to the research culture at West Virginia University. Panaccione praised Hazel’s talent and her ability to seize the opportunities provided by the university’s research programs. For a student to move a project from a simple observation to a published finding in a journal like Mycologia requires not only technical skill but also the intellectual drive to see the work through to its conclusion.
As the scientific community begins to digest the findings published in Mycologia, the focus will likely shift toward the practical applications of Hazel’s discovery. With the genome sequenced and the source of the morning glory’s alkaloids finally identified, the path toward new treatments for mental health disorders and neurological conditions has become clearer. The "clandestine" fungus is hidden no longer, and its discovery marks the beginning of a new chapter in the study of natural products and their role in modern medicine.
