Meet Our Founder

Jurian Wijnheijmer

A Scientist at Heart 🧪

My journey began in the world of microbiology. I am a molecular biologist heavily immersed in academic research, I study how microorganisms respond to antibiotics and stress. During my PhD I screened fungal extracts to find and develop new antibacterial drugs.

 

Enter the Mushroom 🍄

That’s when I started uncovering an astonishing range of bioactive compounds hidden within fungi, molecules with potential not just as antibiotics, but as neuroactive agents, immunomodulators, metabolic regulators, and more.
The deeper I went, the more fascinated I became. I fell headfirst into the rabbit hole of fungal chemistry, captivated by their evolutionary ingenuity and biochemical diversity. It was like discovering a hidden world, one teeming with solutions to problems in medicine, agriculture, nutrition, and sustainability.
Lion’s Mane, in particular, stood out to me. Brain-like in shape and function. Mysterious. Functional. Delicious. It was the perfect flagship species, one that connected everything I cared about: science, health, food, and nature.

 

Building MOGU's Mushroom Lab 🧱

With a modest investment and a lot of experimentation, I set up the first version of MOGU’s Mushroom Lab in the cellar of a restaurant in Amsterdam. I partnered with the restaurant owner to create a space where fungi could flourish, and where local chefs and curious customers could experience fresh, gourmet mushrooms straight from the source.
Our space is small (for now), but it’s mighty: a clean, climate-controlled cellar where we grow Lion’s Mane, run workshops, do research, and host mushroom lovers from around the city.