I am a community ecologist studying host-microbe interactions.
For my graduate research, I investigated below-ground and within-host symbioses to address issues that affect human communities such as soil contamination and conservation.
In the future I would like to identify chemicals and other molecular mechanisms that drive species interactions. I envision applying this knowledge to achieve environmental restoration and conservation goals, such as identifying plant-microbe interactions beneficial for bioremediation or agriculture.
Icelandic rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) cecal microbiome. This longitudinal study characterized the cecal microbiomes of nearly 1000 Icelandic rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) from 2007-2018. We linked microbial diversity and community structure to diet composition, diet digestibility, and body condition.
Plant secondary metabolite (PSM) detoxification in the moose gut microbiome. We compared the gut microbial genetic potential to detoxify PSMs in two free-ranging moose populations on Isle Royale, Michigan. We found microbial detoxification was associated with poorer nutritional condition and less even diet.
Phytoremediation of diesel-contaminated soils in rural Alaska. We investigated the plant-microbe interactions that promote biodegradation of diesel in contaminated soils from a rural village. These findings will inform future restoration efforts in the state.
