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
Author Correction: Single nucleotide polymorphisms are associated with strain-specific virulence differences among clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans.
Journal Article Nat Commun · March 13, 2025 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 CiteSingle nucleotide polymorphisms are associated with strain-specific virulence differences among clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans.
Journal Article Nat Commun · December 2, 2024 Studies across various pathogens highlight the importance of pathogen genetic differences in disease manifestation. In the human fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, sequence type (ST) associates with patient outcome. We performed a meta-analysis of fo ... 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 - 2029CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar with CIFAR's Fungal Kingdom: Threats and Opportunities program
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Canada Institute for Advanced Research · 2023 - 2026Cell and Molecular Biology Training Program
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2021 - 2026View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Emory University ·
2006
Ph.D.