My research aims to understand how insects communicate with each other through pheromones, specialized chemical signals. We use a combination of mass spectrometry, genetic manipulation, biochemical analysis, and physiological measurements to identify pheromones in Drosophila (vinegar flies) and characterize the functional properties. We will apply our expertise in chemical analysis and physiology to better understand at the cellular and molecular level how the environmental microbiome impacts organismal health. Our work may help identify ways to improve the health and diversity of our environment and the organisms that live within.

Using Drosophila as a genetic model, my ICEMHH project will study the interplay between genetics and the environment. Due to the unique explosive radiation that occurred in Hawaii in the genus Drosophila, I am able to study the effect of nutrition source on the composition of the host microbiota and how a change in diet influences the microbiota composition in flies with different genetic backgrounds.