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Overview


I am a PhD student studying an enigmatic group of fungi termed "mycorrhizal" that associate with plants' roots to help them acquire nutrients from soil. I study these fungi in their native habitat as well as in controlled greenhouse experiments using primarily molecular methods to understand 1) how environmental factors affect fungal communities and 2) how fungal communities affect nutrient cycling between soil and plants. Currently my work is focused on the fungal communities of quaking aspens growing in the arid west.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Recent Publications


Dual-mycorrhizal colonization is determined by plant age and host identity in two species of Populus.

Journal Article Mycorrhiza · June 2025 Plants have evolved symbioses with mycorrhizal and endophytic fungi that are essential for their growth and survival. While most plants associate with a single guild of mycorrhizal fungi, a select group termed "dual-mycorrhizal plants" associate with both ... Full text Open Access Cite

Decoupling of plant and microbial communities following long-term removal of an invasive grass

Journal Article Restoration Ecology · January 1, 2025 Ecosystem function can be shaped by the relationship between plant and soil microbial communities. When invasive plants disrupt these plant–soil feedbacks, they can leave soil legacy effects that persist even after removal. However, such legacy effects var ... Full text Cite
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