Genomics, metagenomics, and pathogen evolution.
I am an Associate Professor of Biology at Northern Arizona University and Assistant Director of the Pathogen and Microbiome Institute. My research integrates comparative and functional genomics, bioinformatics, and environmental microbiology to understand pathogen evolution and improve diagnostics.
About
My research focuses on microbial genomics, transcriptomics, and bioinformatics with an emphasis on human pathogens. I lead projects on comparative genomics, SNP detection, and environmental surveillance of emerging pathogens.
- Associate Professor, Northern Arizona University (2021–present)
- Assistant Professor, NAU (2015–2021)
- Postdoc, Translational Genomics Research Institute (2012–2015)
- Ph.D., Colorado School of Mines (2009)
Grants & Projects
Valley Fever Surveillance in Arizona
Tri-university collaboration to map and characterize Coccidioides where it grows.
Guinea Worm Diagnostic Development
Developing antibody-based diagnostics in canines to support eradication efforts.
Bioinformatics Tools for Pathogen Detection
Development of computational pipelines (e.g., LS-BSR, NASP, VaST) for rapid pathogen typing and SNP detection.
Teaching
- Grant Writing (BIO537), 2017–2025
- Pan-Biology (BIO504), 2023–2025
- Bioremediation (BIO409/BIO509), Fall 2017
- PMI Seminar Series (BIO498/698), 2023–2025
Awards
- Hooper Undergraduate Research Award Mentor of the Year, 2023
- Outstanding Project of the Year Award, SERDP, 2005
- ASM Student Travel Award, 2007
Lab Members
Chandler Roe, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Charles Williamson, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Amber Jones
Graduate Student