My lab studies how development shapes genetic inheritance. As multicellular organisms grow, the behavior of cells and tissues influences which genetic variants are passed to the next generation — and which are lost along the way. We use plants as a model system, combining functional genomics, microscopy, and high-throughput screening to address questions with broad implications for biology, evolution, and crop improvement.
Current projects span three areas: (1) gene regulation and selection in the haploid phase, where we use single-cell genomics and genetic screens to ask how and when the pollen genome activates — and how this shapes genetic variation; (2) the spread of new mutations, where we combine mutation tracking with mathematical modeling to understand how development shapes mutation fate; and (3) transcription factor function and plant cell identity, with the aim of reprogramming cell fate for basic research and crop improvement. I am always interested in hearing from prospective graduate students and postdocs — please reach out if our work interests you.