Symbiotic Relationships with Bacteria and Bugs

Many insects are known to harbor mutualistic bacterial symbionts that play important roles in host nutrition and defense.

From Cells to Sight: Molecular Targets and New Implants for Glaucoma

Involvement of CNS-infiltrating immune cells to the development of neurological disorders

We are a neuroimmunology lab interested in understanding how CNS viral infection contributes to neurological disorders / such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis.

Heap Leach Innovation Initiative

Not all E. coli Make You Poop! Investigating Recurrent ExPEC Infection

Our group studies Extraintestinal Pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) bacteria, a leading cause of urinary tract and bloodstream infections. We are interested in understanding ExPEC virulence mechanisms as well as how these bacteria survive being killed by antibiotics and cause recurrent disease.

Discovering Novel Pathogens: The Fungus Among Us

When outbreaks of emerging diseases impact wildlife species or humanity, we are often caught completely unawares by never-before-discovered pathogens.

Fitness of Bacterial Plant Pathogens across Environmental Stresses

Plants are constantly exposed to a wide range of microbial pathogens, many of which can cause disease when environmental conditions favor infection.

Antimicrobials from the soil

Soil bacteria live in a competitive environment, constantly battling each other for resources. To survive, they produce special chemicals called natural products, which can help them fight off other microbes.

Microalgae in the Great Salt Lake

Fungal Symbiosis & Diversity