Overview
We have broad interests in using microbial genomics to understand how microbes interact with each other and their hosts. This interest includes the roles played by both beneficial and harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses and how they interact with the immune system. We study single microbes and microbial communities, primarily using high-throughput sequencing methods. We have a particular interest in developing new experimental and analytical methods that leverage the power of high-throughput sequencing. We are also interested in using deep learning in microbiology research.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Assistant Professor in Biostatistics & Bioinformatics
·
2021 - Present
Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, Division of Integrative Genomics,
Biostatistics & Bioinformatics
Recent Publications
A rhesus macaque model of congenital cytomegalovirus infection reveals a spectrum of vertical transmission outcomes.
Journal Article Commun Biol · November 24, 2025 Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the leading infectious cause of birth defects worldwide, yet immune determinants of protection to inform maternal vaccine design remain elusive due to the lack of a translational animal model. Here, we characterized the ... Full text Link to item CiteBranched chain amino acid metabolism and microbiome in adolescents with obesity during weight loss therapy.
Journal Article medRxiv · June 9, 2025 BACKGROUND: Obesity and weight loss in adults have been associated with distinct metabolome and gut microbiome features, but the extent to which those associations apply to adolescent stages remain unclear. METHODS: The Pediatric Obesity Microbiome and Met ... Full text Link to item CiteNonhuman primate model mirroring human congenital cytomegalovirus infection reveals a spectrum of vertical transmission outcomes.
Journal Article Res Sq · April 23, 2025 Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the leading infectious cause of birth defects worldwide, yet immune determinants of protection to inform maternal vaccine design remain elusive due to the lack of a translational animal model. Here, we characterized the ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Prenatal maternal obesity and neurodevelopment: The mediating role of the microbiome and metabolome
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institute of Mental Health · 2024 - 2029Quantitative Methods for HIV/AIDS Research
Inst. Training Prgm or CMETraining Faculty · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2018 - 2028NSF Engineering Research Center for Precision Microbiome Engineering (PreMiEr)
ResearchInvestigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2022 - 2027View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Johns Hopkins University ·
2006
Ph.D.