Although I was only recently appointed to the position of Assistant Research Professor, I have been involved in the research, teaching, and outreach missions of MSU for nearly 10 years. My research focus has been on bacterial biofilms, particularly in chronic wounds; however, I have an established record in cross-disciplinary collaborations. I am taking over the Metabolomics Core here at MSU and hope to apply this promising analytic tool to a variety of biological questions.
My research exploits molecular techniques to examine the microbial ecology associated with animal systems. My specific focus is on the microbial ecosystems of the gut and their role in health, nutrition and performance, and those occupying the vaginal tract and their relation to reproductive performance and neonatal health. I believe that microbial ecosystems have an evolved ecology principally governed by their symbioses, as is evident in many systems.