My research interests lie in host-microbe interactions and specifically how mutualistic or commensal microbiota influence the host’s physiologic response to various abiotic and biotic stressors. These types of interactions are present in a wide array of systems ranging from humans and other vertebrates, to invertebrates and to plants. Tropical corals and the sea anemone Aiptasia, form mutualistic symbioses with dinoflagellate algae (in the family Symbiodiniaceae) and other microbial partners (bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi). Our understanding of all stages of this symbiosis (onset and establishment, maintenance, and breakdown) is extremely limited, which allows us to ask many exciting and challenging questions. I joined the faculty at Eckerd College in 2016 and my research aims to better understand how associated microbiota affect the physiology of the coral holobiont and what mechanisms underpin the overall success of the symbiosis. I regularly involve undergraduate students as assistants in my research.
