Our goal is to understand how genetic variation causes individuals to exhibit different phenotypic responses to environmental stress and mutation, thereby resulting in unexpected traits that might be relevant to evolution and health. To study this problem, we are in the process of determining the complete genetic and molecular basis of multiple phenotypes that are induced either by the environment or specific mutations. Much of our work is focused on the powerful budding yeast model system, but we are also beginning to explore this topic in multiple animal species as well.

Accurate duplication and segregation of our chromosomes is critical for human development and well-being. Defects in the processes that maintain the integrity of our genome contribute to cancer, birth defects, and other disorders.

Learning about bacteria’s ability to promote the absorption of the greenhouse gas may shed light on how the oceans can mitigate the effects of pollution. That’s partially why I research the role and importance of marine bacteria in major biogeochemical cycles particularly those of nitrogen and carbon, as well as the response of these populations to, and interactions with, various environmental perturbations.