Many pathogenic fungi are opportunistic and acquired from the environment. Growth in the human host can induce changes in morphology. Specific adaptation to host stresses allow the fungus to proliferate and cause disease.

In our research, we ask how do fungal pathogens integrate information about their environments to undergo these dramatic changes? We focus on human fungal pathogens, with the long term goal of improving disease treatment and patient outcome. We seek to address this central question using the tools of genetics, genomics, chemistry, cytometry, and molecular biology. Work in the lab investigates this using two model systems: Cryptococcus and Rhizopus.