Research: I have a varied research background starting with analyzing gene expression changes in loblolly pine facing drought stress. We also analyzed the same responses in Andean potato varieties. My next project analyzed a protein domain identified as the Plant Homology adjacent Domain or PHD-zinc finger. This grew out of work analyzing the role of PHD-zinc fingers in PIP binding. Intriguingly, my analysis indicated that there were numerous PHD-zinc finger domain containing domains in Arabidopsis, but a majority of them were associated with domains involved in chromatin remodeling. Thus the PHD-zinc finger may be important for epigenetic control over plant growth and development. I followed this up by looking for protein interacting partners of Chalcone Synthase. I identified two non-flavonoid associated proteins that interacted with chalcone synthase. One of these, when knocked out, led to phenotypes associated with auxin and gravitropic responses. My current research developed from my PhD work, in which I characterized genes upregulated during formation of the mycorrhizal symbiosis in Cypripedium parviflorum. One encoded trehalose-6-phoshpate synthetase/phosphatase and the other a nucleotide binding protein. I am fascinated by the role of mycorrhiza in orchid growth and development. Orchid mycorrhizal fungi are crucial for germination and seem to persist through the life of the plant. However, there are numerous other fungi often found in orchid roots and there is a robust fungal microbiome. My primary question is does habitat disturbance impact the fungal microbiome of orchid roots (both mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal)? I analyze the microbiome using Illumina sequencing. My secondary questions focus on the physiological interactions between orchid roots and the various endophytic fungi and the implications of such for plant growth and development.