Welcome to the Speare Microbial Ecology Lab!

Our research explores how microbial interactions impact microbiome dynamics and function. We aim to understand the ecology and evolution of microbial behaviors within the context of animal microbiomes and symbioses. We employ bacterial genetics, microscopy, 'omics, and manipulative host experiments to connect molecular mechanisms to in vivo observations. Our goal is to understand fundamental processes underpinning microbe-microbe and microbe-host relationships and apply this knowledge to develop tools for marine restoration and conservation efforts, with an emphasis on treatments for coral disease.  Publications: link to google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=QWrANoAAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao