Our lab investigates the causes and consequences of microbial community formation, including the roles of fungi in symbioses, how microbes respond to and influence a changing environment, and how to harness microbes to improve conservation of macroorganisms.
We use field surveys, experimental microcosms, molecular tools, ML/AI modeling, and bioinformatics to address important questions about how microbiomes assemble and how they interact to shape host phenotype.
We also have in silica projects that leverage public metagenomic data to uncover global-scale fungal diversity and distribution.
Joining the lab
Graduate students should reach out to me well in advance of applying to the Applied Science PhD Program. Appications for Fall admission are due early February. If you’re interested in doing a PhD in my lab, I’d like to be in conversation with you about it the prior September, if possible.
See more info here.
Undergraduate student applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Please feel free come by my office to chat with me to see what projects are available, or to propose a new one. Priority is given to students with 2 or more years left until graduation.
Here’s the online lab handbook with expectations and information for lab members.
If you need a reference letter from me, please see these instructions
People
Geoff Zahn, PI
Alumni
(and last known whereabouts)
Matthew Nielsen Alyssa Tidwell
DDS - Univ. of Utah PhD - ORNL/UT Knoxville
Reagan Dodge Josh Zushi
BioFire Defense, Inc. Instructure, Inc.
Joseph Jimenez Sam Smalley
DDS - Univ. of Texas PhD - PNNL/WSU
Bryce Brunetti Spencer McGee
BioFire Defense, Inc. Intermountain Healthcare
Nicholas Long Harrison Haws
DDS - Univ. of Iowa DDS - Univ. of the Pacific