The female genital tract (FGT) is home to a dynamic community of millions of microbes that play a vital role in shaping reproductive health. In an optimal state, this environment relies heavily on a group of protective, helpful bacteria known as lactobacilli. However, when these protective bacteria give way to a highly diverse mix of other microbes, it leads to a common condition called bacterial vaginosis (BV).

BV alters local immune responses and changes the risk factors associated with acquiring sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Despite the high prevalence of BV and the high rates of recurrence after standard antibiotic treatment (~50%), the underlying biological triggers remain unclear. Furthermore, the interplay between episodes of BV and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is not well understood.

Our Focus: We are investigating how dormant viruses tucked inside protective bacteria can suddenly "wake up" due to external environmental stressors—such as compounds released from an IUD or antibiotics. When these viruses activate, they kill their bacterial hosts, throwing the entire ecosystem out of balance. We are interested in understanding how bacterial-viral-fungal crosstalk drives shifts between health and episodes of BV and VVC, and how this crosstalk is affected by contraceptive and antibiotic use, among other factors. 

By combining clinical samples with laboratory experiments, we aim to map these microscopic dynamics to pave the way for more reliable and durable reproductive health solutions

Breast milk represents a critical reservoir of immune cells, nutrition, and microbes that seed the infant gut in early life, profoundly shaping neonatal developmental trajectories. Our lab is focused on understanding how maternal health shapes this vital reservoir and its impacts on infant health and development. We look closely at the breast milk and gut microbiomes —the ecosystem of microscopic organisms living in breast milk and the digestive tract - and how it shapes the development of the immune system.

While previous research has focused purely on bacteria, we are pioneering studies into the infant gut virome, which is the community of resident viruses. Our work focuses on a few key areas:

• Infants exposed to HIV: during pregnancy/breastfeeding but are born uninfected often navigate unique health challenges, showing distinct variations in their development and responses to standard childhood vaccines.

• Viral-Bacterial Interactions: We study classes of viruses called bacteriophages that act as natural bacterial regulators, shaping the bacterial communities in the environment and mucosal surfaces.

• Mapping Immune Development: By tracking data from human infants, in vivo models, and individual cells, we are mapping out how these microscopic interactions influence early-life immunity.

• Targeted Therapies: Ultimately, our goal is to uncover the precise mechanisms behind these microbial interactions so we can design therapies to support, protect, and restore optimal health to these infants.