I am an evolutionary and molecular biologist with an interdisciplinary research focus, interested in broad questions of molecular evolution as well as working to address major problems in agriculture and ecological systems. I am currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Chang lab at Oregon State University.

Research Interests

My research interests focus on the evolution and epidemiology of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and their influence on microbial symbioses (pathogens and/or mutualist symbionts). I utilize comparative and population genomics of large datasets to classify and characterize the evolution of MGEs in diverse systems, primarily agricultural phytopathogens, as well as in nitrogen fixation symbiosis. I also work to develop pipelines for the epidemiology of major agricultural pathogens, including those that incorporate the movement of MGEs independently of strains.

Classification of plasmids in the agrobacteria/rhizobia complex. Weisberg et al., 2021. DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0466