Research Interests
Intestinal absorption of energy-rich dietary lipids is a key initial step within the complex physiologic network that determines energy balance in all animals. This process involves coordination between intestinal epithelial cells and environmental factors such as the microbiota, but the underlying mechanisms remain unresolved. My overarching goal is to understand the genetic and environmental factors that modulate intestinal physiology. To this end, I have used bacterial, animal, and organoid models to explore key host and microbial mechanisms that regulate intestinal lipid absorption. These experiences have allowed me to establish expertise in microbiology, physiology, genetics, and genomics, and prepared me to be an independent scientist.