Ecology &
Evolutionary Biology

We focus on the identification of microbial products and processes that drive animal development, growth, and evolution. Specifically, we are interested in species- and function-rich — complex — gut microbiomes and how this complexity is adaptive for the host because system-level functions are thus resistant to species loss-inducing perturbations. Additionally, we are interested in estimating how microbiome-facing host functions (e.g. innate immunity, digestion and nutrient uptake) are evolving across all insects given distinct gut microbiome compositions. In service of our research interest, we use classical microscopic, microbiological and physiological approaches, including anaerobic cultivation and germ-free animals, in concert with modern -omics and predictive modeling tools.