Real world article
(written from a production point of view)
Paul Stamets and Anthony Rapp
Paul Stamets (born 17 July 1955; age 69) is a mycologist after whom the Star Trek: Discovery character Paul Stamets is named, along with his mirror universe counterpart.
Furthermore, the concept of spore drive was based on his work. Early on in the process of creating the series, Bryan Fuller showed his writer's room a TED Talk by Stamets, after which phone discussions followed. (AT: "Context Is for Kings")
He was a guest on AT: "Context Is for Kings". On the episode, he talked about tuning in to Star Trek at age 12, and about how some magic mushrooms indeed help bend time and space. He claimed to be impressed with Anthony Rapp's performance, whom he rated as more handsome than himself.