Overview
The goal of our research is to understand how environmental fungi adapt in response to stress to survive the environment-to-host transition, develop drug resistance and cause persistent human disease. We employ a variety of tools (phenotypic assays, whole-genome sequencing, quantitative PCR, microscopy, etc.) to characterize the genetic and cellular changes that occur in Cryptococcus in response to environmental cues such as heat stress, changes in pH and nutrient availability.
Graduate Faculty Member of the University Program in Genetics and Genomics (UPGG)
Graduate Faculty Member of the Program of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB)
Graduate Faculty Member of the University Program in Genetics and Genomics (UPGG)
Graduate Faculty Member of the Program of Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB)
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Assistant Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
·
2023 - Present
Molecular Genetics and Microbiology,
Basic Science Departments
Recent Publications
Celebrating the fifth edition of the International Symposium on Fungal Stress - ISFUS, a decade after its 2014 debut.
Journal Article Fungal Biol · August 2025 The Fifth International Symposium on Fungal Stress (ISFUS) brought together in Brazil many of the leaders in the field of fungal stress responses, from fourteen countries, for four days of outstanding science ranging from basic research to studies with agr ... Full text Link to item CiteTemperature and genetic background drive mobilization of diverse transposable elements in a critical human fungal pathogen.
Journal Article bioRxiv · May 23, 2025 Transposable elements (TEs) are key agents of genome evolution across all domains of life. These mobile genetic elements can cause mutations through transposition or by promoting structural rearrangements. Stress conditions can amplify TE activity, either ... Full text Link to item CiteFungal impacts on Earth's ecosystems.
Journal Article Nature · February 2025 Over the past billion years, the fungal kingdom has diversified to more than two million species, with over 95% still undescribed. Beyond the well-known macroscopic mushrooms and microscopic yeast, fungi are heterotrophs that feed on almost any organic car ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Tri-Institutional Molecular Mycology and Pathogenesis Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029Harnessing Environmental Fungi for Plastic Bioremediation
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Canadian Institute for Advanced Research · 2025 - 2027CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar with CIFAR's Fungal Kingdom: Threats and Opportunities program
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Canada Institute for Advanced Research · 2023 - 2026View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Emory University ·
2006
Ph.D.