About

I'm an Assistant Professor (Lecturer - UK equivalent) at the University of Southampton, a research-intensive Russell Group University. My group seeks to understand: (i) the basic processes that determine root-microbe interactions in the rhizosphere and rhizoplane, and (ii) how can we leverage microbes to improve plant fitness under drought stress. Manipulation has been a key theme during my career, seeking to understand how we can manipulate microbial communities to augment functions of interest. I am interested in both basic and applied questions, and I have experience in both field (i.e. research farms and agroecosystems) and laboratory settings.

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I have been trained in three institutions, under the guidance of Prof. Taryn Baurele (Cornell University), Asst Prof. Terrence Bell (Penn State University - now at the Uni of Toronto), and Profs. Maurizio Labbate and Justin Seymour (University of Technology Sydney). I have gained extensive experience and learning across multiple disciplines, including in: plant, soil and marine microbiology and molecular/synthetic biology.