How do the genetics of complex traits affect our interactions with disease organisms?

I address this question in microbial systems using ecological, evolutionary and genetic approaches. In my lab we work with a number of different microbes, including the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the RNA virus viruses vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV - shown at left) and dengue viruses (DENVs). My long term goal is to understand how human behavior affects genotypes and phenotypes in disease organisms.