Our research is organized around four interconnected themes that explore how microbiomes assemble, interact, respond to environmental change, and influence ecosystem resilience.
1. Principles of Microbiome Assembly
Microbial communities are not random collections of organisms. We study the ecological processes that govern how microbiomes assemble, how microbial species coexist, and what controls their stability over time. By examining microbial SynCom networks and identifying keystone taxa, we aim to identify the mechanisms that organize microbiome structure and influence ecosystem functioning.
Example Project
Microbial Keystone Taxa and Network Stability
Identifying highly connected microbial taxa that structure microbiome networks and regulate community response.
2. Plant-Soil-Microbe Interactions
Plants and soil microbes form tightly linked ecological systems. We investigate how plant types, root exudates, and microbial symbioses shape rhizosphere microbiomes and influence plant performance. Our research also explores how soil microbes mediate plant-plant interactions and competition within ecosystems.
Example Project
Plant Invasion and Soil Microbiome Feedback
Investigating how invasive plants reshape soil microbial communities in ways that enhance their competitive advantage over native plant species.
3. Microbiomes in a Changing Environment
Microbial communities are constantly shaped by environmental conditions and human activities. We examine how environmental stressors such as drought and salinity, as well as anthropogenic pressures including pesticides, tillage, and fertilizer intensification, influence microbial community dynamics. Understanding these responses helps reveal how microbiomes contribute to soil health, plant productivity, and ecosystem resilience.
Example Project
Environmental and Anthropogenic Stressors and Microbiome Dynamics
Investigating how environmental stress and agricultural management practices shape microbial communities and soil ecosystem functioning.
4. Predictive Microbiome Ecology
A major challenge in microbiome science is moving from describing microbial diversity to predicting ecosystem outcomes. We aim to develop predictive frameworks that integrate multi-omics approaches, ecological theory, and data-driven modeling. By linking microbiome structure with ecosystem processes, we aim to predict ecosystem responses to environmental change.
Example Project
North Dakota Agricultural Microbiome Project
A statewide effort to characterize soil and plant microbiomes across hundreds of agricultural fields and identify microbial indicators that predict soil health, crop productivity, and ecosystem resilience.