My research focuses on how intra- and inter-specific trait variation impact biotic interactions. In my dissertation work I investigated how plant functional and species diversity determines the diversity and structure of higher trophic levels in grasslands. In my post-doc I examined the effect of landscape characteristics on mammal community structure.
At Rice University, I have investigated

1. how differences in the interactions of exotic vs. native plants with aboveground (mostly herbivorous insects but also gastropods) and belowground (fungal pathogens, mycorrhizae, insect and nematode herbivores) organisms drive invasion success and impacts
2. how differences in interactions in the native and introduced ranges of plants change invasive plant traits and feedback to invasion success
3. how changing environmental conditions shape invasion likelihood and impacts
4. how to restore invaded ecosystems. More recently I have been working at the food-energy-water nexus, in particular creating stable algal assemblages for wastewater remediation and the production of biofuels, biofertilizers, and animal feed
5. More recently I have been working at the food-energy-water nexus, in particular creating stable algal assemblages for wastewater remediation and the production of biofuels, biofertilizers, and animal feed