Mold | Indoor Environment Inspections
Dr. Sogonov is the provider affiliated with GWCIM.
Dr. Mikhail Sogonov is the founder and lead inspector of “InSitu“, an indoor environmental inspection company. “InSitu” is Latin for “in place,” i.e., on-site.
The GWCIM team has been collaborating with Dr. Mikhail Sogonov for over 12 years. Hundreds of GWCIM patients and their families and friends have successfully used the thorough methods offered by “InSitu“.
Mold-Focused Inspections with On‑Site Analysis
The main object of their inspections is mold, but they also check for sewage contamination and pet and pest allergens. Most of the analyses are performed on-site during the inspection. When certain tests can’t be performed on site, “InSitu” collaborates with trusted third-party laboratories.
“InSitu” manages each case by hand and conducts only one inspection at a time, ensuring focused attention and quality. This sets them apart from most other testing services.
About Dr. Mikhail Sogonov
Integrating Mycology and Construction Expertise
Mikhail Sogonov, PhD, brings together two essential skills for resolving mold problems in buildings: deep expertise in mycology and hands-on knowledge of construction industry practices. This unique combination allows him to identify issues accurately and design practical, effective remediation strategies.
Academic Foundations in Mycology
Dr. Sogonov studied soil microfungi at Moscow State University in Russia—the same broad group of fungi that includes many indoor molds. Notably, the “black mold” Stachybotrys chartarum is often isolated from upper soil layers. He earned his PhD with a dissertation on soil fungi in alpine ecosystems and trained with world-leading experts, including Dr. Walter Gams and Dr. Richard Summerbell, at the CBS Fungal Biodiversity Center (Netherlands), home to the world’s largest fungal culture collection. Along the way, he contributed to multiple projects across mycology, microbiology, and botany.
Construction Industry Experience
Alongside his academic work, Dr. Sogonov built a parallel career in construction, developing practical skills in drywall, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and painting. This hands-on experience informs his inspections and recommendations, bridging the gap between laboratory insights and real-world building conditions.
Postdoctoral Research and Industry Leadership
After earning his PhD, Dr. Sogonov spent over three years as a postdoctoral researcher in Dr. Rossman’s lab on a National Science Foundation–funded project with the USDA Agricultural Research Service and Rutgers University. His work focused on the Gnomoniaceae, a family of plant-associated symbiotic and pathogenic fungi, and included spore analyses to identify sources and pathways of air intake.
He then joined EMSL Analytical, Inc.—one of North America’s largest environmental testing firms—starting as a mycologist and advancing to microbiology manager. There, he worked closely with environmental inspectors and operated under AIHA and MDE standards, gaining extensive experience translating laboratory data into real-world applications.
Innovating In Situ Environmental Assessment
Building on years of laboratory and field experience, Dr. Sogonov founded his own company with a key innovation: performing in-situ laboratory testing at inspection sites. Because most environmental analyses rely on light microscopy, bringing the mycologist—and the microscope—directly to the building markedly improves the efficiency and accuracy of investigations. On‑site analysis reduces missing information, enables tailored sampling, and accelerates decision‑making, leading to better outcomes for clients.
Dr. Mikhail Sogonov performs an inspection in the attic of a residential house in Maryland.
