Research

We study the ecology and evolution of plant–pathogen interactions, focusing primarily on Arabidopsis thaliana and the bacteria that reside within it. Our approach is interdisciplinary; we draw upon tools from molecular genetics, molecular evolution, computation, field biology, chemistry, and population genetics to understand how ecological interactions shape evolutionary dynamics. The lab typically contains a mixture of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate students who enjoy working with diverse collaborators from around the world. Many of our field experiments are performed in the Midwest US, or abroad, at sites in Sweden and France.

Current areas of focus

Microbial Interactions & Communities

What are the factors shaping the composition and function of microbiomes?

NLR evolution in A. thaliana

What drives the evolution and diversification of NLR genes in Arabidopsis species?

Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics

How is extensive strain diversity maintained in Pseudomonas?