Hi there! My name is Claire, and I’m a PhD candidate at the University of Nevada, Reno. Broadly, my research is focused on how gut microbiomes respond to novel environments and environmental stressors and how this affects their hosts.

My current work focuses on tropical ectotherms, using an island transplant experiment to understand how the gut microbiome responds to thermal stress. This has broad implications, especially in a world experiencing climate change. We know that the microbiome plays important roles in host health and disease, including through its effect on the immune system, metabolism, and even behavior. I’m interested in understanding how the microbiome might buffer (or perhaps exacerbate) the effects of climate change and other environmental stressors, and what implications this has for the host in the short - and long - term.

I’ve used many different tools to explore these topics - both culture-dependent methods, and culture-independent methods.

If you’re interested in reading more about my current work - and past work - please feel free to browse my research and publications section. This website is under construction, so reach out if you have any questions.