Trillions of microbes—bacteria, viruses, and fungi—live in and on our bodies, especially in the gut. Together, they form the microbiome—a hidden ecosystem that influences nearly every aspect of our health, from obesity and diabetes to heart disease, inflammation, aging, and even brain disorders like Alzheimer’s.

We study how the microbiome changes over time, how it is shaped by nutrition, and how these changes may signal the early stages of disease—sometimes even years before symptoms appear. We use a network-based approach to map the complex interactions among microbes and between the microbiome and the human body. These network models help us uncover microbiome features that can predict disease risk and progression. Our long-term goal is to go beyond prediction: using insights from these networks, we aim to design strategies to control and reshape the microbiome in ways that promote health and prevent disease.

By combining clinical data, machine learning, and systems biology, we’re building tools that could transform the microbiome into a powerful diagnostic and therapeutic resource.