Welcome to the MYC-robial lab

The Chen lab studies the ecological mechanisms underpinning microbe-mediated pathogen protection (microbial biocontrol) using high throughput tools and bioinformatic analyses.

In the wild, plants live among thousands of microbes which include pathogens- yet most plants are not sick. This is in part due to the role that host-associated microbes have in pathogen suppression. In the Chen lab we study the ecological mechanisms through which root-associated microbiota suppress or prevent establishment of invading pathogens. We use custom 3D printed tools (e.g. MYCroplanters) to conduct high throughput experiments on plants, and use a variety of ecological and bioinformatic analytical approaches to predict when and why microbial biocontrol treatments are effective.

The Chen lab is currently recruiting undergraduates, graduates, and postdocs. We welcome applicants from diverse personal and academic backgrounds. Please visit the "Contact" page for more information on how to apply.