A tremendous amount of current research is focused on understanding the diversity and function of bacteria within the gastrointestinal tracts of humans. In particular, the specifics of how these bacteria impact our development and health is of interest. My research interests focus on how two very different gastrointestinal microbes, Lactobacillus reuteri and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, impact human health. Specifically, we are interested in how beneficial microbes survive and respond to the stresses faced in the gastrointestinal tract. We are also focused on understanding how manipulation of the gastrointestinal microbiota may play a role in the development and/or exacerbation of certain human diseases such as diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2) and obesity.
