I am a soil ecologist with expertise in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, an important soil dwelling symbiotic fungi. My research and teaching interests are broadly focused on addressing both longstanding and novel questions linking above- and belowground biodiversity. I use biological invasions as unique “natural experiments”, and managed ecosystems, to gain insight into plant-soil interactions that drive plant growth and plant community assembly. Through both field experiments and targeted greenhouse/lab experiments, my research addresses two overarching question, 1) how does the composition of the soil fungal community, particularly mycorrhizas, affect plant species co-existence and the competitive ability of rare and common plants, and 2) how does the identity and provenance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi affect plant health and production in managed systems?