Future Goals

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By combining my skills in fungal biology and complex gut community dynamics using a quantitative and systematic framework, I'm eager to establish a new niche in the gut microbiome field. My background in fungal metabolism -- combined with knowledge of systems biology and computational modeling -- uniquely positions me to push forward knowledge in the gut microbiome field. I plan to particularly focus on communities of microbes found in the infant gut, where fungi are more abundant as compared to adults. Additionally, the lack of colonization resistance in the infant gut potentially represents a window to intervene in community assembly to prevent disease-associated states. Understanding the impact of fungal species on the gut community offers insight into designing more effective living biotherapeutics for children. 

My overarching research goal is to elucidate multi-domain interactions that influence fungal virulence, drug resistance, and gut community assembly through a systematic and quantitative framework. My experimental approach will use high-throughput culturing techniques, Bayesian optimization for experimental design, and Machine Learning models to assess the impact of multiple interacting variables on microbial growth and function. A major challenge of using machine learning in this context is the biological interpretation of results, an area where I have experience and plan to further strengthen my skills through available tools and follow-up mechanistic experiments.

To accomplish this goal, my lab will adopt a systematic and quantitative approach. Preliminary research projects will identify specific interspecies interactions that impact:

1) the expression of virulence associated transcripts by Candida albicans;
2) the susceptibility of C. albicans to antifungal drugs;
3) the assembly of communities composed of species found in the infant gut in the presence of C. albicans and Saccharomyces boulardii. 

By integrating high-throughput experimental design with computational modeling, I strive to elucidate the complex, multi-variable dynamics that shape gut microbial communities.