MASA: Microbiomes for Agroecosystems and Soil Adaptation
Goals
Soils are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. A single gram of soil can contain thousands of microbial species that influence plant growth, nutrient availability, water dynamics, and ecosystem health. These microorganisms play critical roles in determining the productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems, yet we still know surprisingly little about how they function or how we can manage them to benefit crops and the environment. The MASA (Microbiomes for Agroecosystems and Soil Adaptation) team seeks to uncover the hidden functions of soil microbiomes and explore how plants and microbes work together to shape agricultural outcomes. Our long-term goal is to develop strategies that leverage beneficial plant–microbe interactions to improve soil health, enhance crop resilience, and reduce reliance on agricultural inputs such as fertilizers and irrigation. Students in this program will participate in interdisciplinary research spanning microbiology, ecology, plant biology, genetics, bioinformatics, and sustainable agriculture. Together, we will investigate whether microbial processes can be actively managed and incorporated into future agricultural systems through plant breeding and microbiome-informed management practices.
Current research objectives include:
- Developing and maintaining long-term experiments that manipulate soil microbial communities and plant populations.
- Measuring how changes in microbiomes influence plant performance, nutrient cycling, and water-use processes.
- Identifying the biological mechanisms that link microbial diversity to ecosystem function and agricultural sustainability.
- Using genomic, ecological, and computational approaches to understand how plants interact with beneficial microbes.
A major focus of our work is understanding how soil microbes influence nitrogen and water cycling, two fundamental processes that determine the productivity and resilience of agroecosystems. Through this research, students contribute to cutting-edge discoveries while gaining hands-on experience in laboratory, greenhouse, field, and computational research environments.
Learn more about the larger lab this VIP is a part of here!
Issues Involved or Addressed
Our research integrates biology, ecology, agriculture, and data science to understand how plants and microbes interact and how these interactions can be leveraged to build more resilient food systems. Students may contribute to laboratory, greenhouse, field, and computational research projects while developing skills in experimental design, data analysis, scientific communication, and interdisciplinary problem-solving.
Areas of research and inquiry include:
- Soil Microbiology
- Microbiome Science
- Plant–Microbe Interactions
- Rewilding
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Agroecosystem Ecology
- Soil Health and Soil Function
- Plant Genetics and Breeding
- Nitrogen Cycling and Nutrient Dynamics
- Water Cycling and Drought Resilience
- Microbial Ecology and Evolution
- Environmental Microbiology
- Metagenomics and Microbial Genomics
- Bioinformatics and Data Science
- Ecosystem Ecology
- Climate Change Adaptation
- Nature-Based Solutions for Agriculture
- Experimental Field and Greenhouse Research
- Scientific Computing and Statistical Analysis
Methods and Tech
Methods and techniques may include:
- Soil and plant sampling
- Greenhouse and field experiments
- Microbial cultivation and molecular biology
- DNA extraction and microbiome sequencing
- Metagenomics and bioinformatics
- Statistical analysis and data visualization in R
- Soil nutrient and microbial activity assays
- Plant phenotyping
- Experimental design and hypothesis testing
- Scientific communication and presentation
Advanced students may also engage in machine learning, multi-omics analysis, and microbiome-informed plant breeding research. Students interested in developing additional expertise are encouraged to enroll in complementary coursework, such as PLP 320: Microbiomes, which provides foundational knowledge and analytical skills in microbiome science.
Academic Majors of Interest
Students interested in biology, ecology, microbiology, agriculture, environmental science, genetics, bioinformatics, data science, or sustainability are encouraged to join. No prior experience in microbiome research is required; students will have opportunities to develop both foundational and advanced research skills as part of the team.
Students from engineering, computer science, and the arts are also encouraged to participate. Understanding complex soil ecosystems requires innovative approaches to sensing, modeling, visualization, and communication. We welcome students interested in developing new technologies to measure biological processes, analyzing large datasets, creating data visualizations, or translating scientific discoveries into engaging stories and outreach materials for diverse audiences.
Preferred Interests and Preparation
Attributes:
- Enthusiastic and curious
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Reliable and responsible
- Motivated to learn
- Open-minded and respectful
- Likes to get their hands dirty
- Skills (preferred, not required)
- Interest in microbiomes, ecology, agriculture, or sustainability
- Interest in laboratory, field, or computational research
- Basic data analysis or programming experience
- Interest in scientific communication and outreach
Application Process
To express interest in this team, please complete the VIP Interest Form and select "MASA: Microbiomes for Agroecosystems and Soil Adaptation"
This team:
Accepts students only at the start of the academic year.
Recruits only undergraduate students.
Recruits students for both credit and pay options (as available, including federal work-study) for VIP participation.