We believe that research on mutualistic symbioses holds answers to the pressing problems humanity now faces. Soil microbiomes are excellent models for understanding symbiotic dynamics due to being the most biodiverse habitats in the world. We can design manipulative experiments that allow us to probe the impacts of various outside influences (e.g., external fertilizer, bacteriophage, antibiotics) on beneficial plant-microbe symbioses embedded within soil microbiomes. Ultimately, we can apply what soil microbiomes teach us to other microbiomes, including our own gut microbiome.
Just like the mutualistic microbes we study, the success of the SyM3 Lab is contingent upon cooperation among people with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. From undergraduates who want to dip their toes in research to see if it is for them, to postdocs who have clear professional goals and are looking for a place that will help them progress to their next career stage.
Above all else, the SyM3 Lab emphasizes the importance of feeling like you are part of a community. Navigating the inevitable challenges associated with research is made easier when you feel like you are not alone. If you are someone who shares our core values: openness, curiosity, vulnerability, creativity, and honesty, then the SyM3 Lab could be the right place for pursuing your research goals.