Christian Lab
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About
In the Christian Lab, we are broadly interested in the community ecology of plant microbiomes and how we can harness plant-associated microbes to improve plant health. We are interested in both agricultural and natural systems and are particularly excited about how various aspects of global change affect and are affected by plant-microbe interactions. We also conduct research in biology education and are interested in identifying best practices in biology, as well as how choices made in biology classrooms affect student knowledge and attitudes towards biology.
Key Research Areas
- Microbial ecology
- Fungal endophytes
- Microbiomes
- Global change
- Agriculture
- Biology education
Team
Dr. Natalie Christian, Assistant Professor
natalie.christian@louisville.edu | View Research Profile
- Dr. Connor Morozumi, Postdoctoral Researcher
- Allison Rietman, PhD Candidate
- Noelle Visser, PhD Candidate
- Emma Throneburg, PhD Student
- Drew Nisip, PhD Student
Our Work
- Vertically-transmitted fungal endophytes as keystone microbiome symbionts in a changing world
- The role of the microbiome in mediating pathogen transmission between natural and agricultural systems
- The impact of the plant microbiome on plant host chemistry
- How Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) affects student learning, self-efficacy, and sense of belonging
In Microbial Ecology:
- Christian, N. and M.H. Perlin. 2024. “Plant-endophyte communication: scaling from molecular mechanisms to ecological outcomes.” Mycologia 116(2): 227–50.
- Garces, K.R., H.E. Sage, N. Christian, and S.M. Emery. 2022. “Epichloë increases root fungal endophyte richness and alters root fungal endophyte composition in a changing world.” Journal of Fungi 8: 1142.
- Christian, N, B. Espino Basurto, A. Toussaint, X. Xu, E. A. Ainsworth, P. E. Busby, and K. D. Heath. 2021. "Elevated carbon dioxide reduces a dominant soybean leaf endophyte.”Global Change Biology 27(17): 4154-4168.
In Biology Education:
- Garces, K., A. Sexton, A. Hazelwood, N. Steffens, L. Fuselier, and N. Christian. 2024. “It Takes Two: Online and in-person discussions offer complementary learning opportunities for students.” CBE Life Sciences Education. Sep;23(3):ar34.
- Abolins-Abols, M., N. Christian, J.A. Masters, and R.M. Pigg. 2024. “A customizable inquiry-based statistics teaching application for introductory biology students.” CourseSource 11.