We study interactions across the plant-microbe-soil continuum to understand how these interactions shape the ecology of soil organisms and the functional outcomes of soil processes.
Through an interdisciplinary systems biology framework, we integrate classical organismal biology with modern microbial ecology to address fundamental questions in soil microbiology
and organismal interactions that could lead to novel concepts and products that directly benefit the environment and society.
Hawaiʻi is a breath-taking natural laboratory and an incredible place to do research. The Hawaiian Islands have 10/12 (83%) Soil Orders and 27/38 (71%) Bioclimatic Life Zones on the planet.
The intersections between soils and climate provide a wealth of environmental diversity, as well as replicability, for terrestrial ecosystem research. We base our research on this diversity,
with an emphasis on the unique volcanic Andisol soils. You can find us digging in fields, forests, and greenhouses, across both natural and managed ecosystems.
The current focus of the lab is the interactions between two of the most ubiquitous groups of soil microorganisms - fungi and bacteria.
We are interested in understanding who are interacting with each other, how they interact, and what are the functional impacts of these interactions to natural and agroecosystem soils.
LAB NEWS
September 2025
Exciting news for fungal highways! Nhu and collaborating mathematician Daisuke Takagi received a grant to study the dynamics of bacteria on fungal highways. See the UH News coverage. We will be looking for a post-doctoral researcher with modeling background to work on this subject soon!May 2025
Congrats to Rishi Prasadh as he successfully defended his MS thesis and graduated!January 2025
Welcome back Laurens! Laurens returns to the lab as a full-fledged graduate student. We're excited to have him as part of the lab again.January 2025
Congrats to Vivi for completion of her hard-earned undergraduate degree. Vivi spent 4 years in the lab as an undergraduate researcher. We wish her well with her new job!
PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Graduate students
Prospective students who are inquisitive, motivated, independent, hard-working, with good communication and writing skills interested in joining the lab, should email Nhu directly with a detailed CV, and a statement of interest that highlights who you are, your career goals, why you want to join the lab group, how you see yourself fitting into the larger research themes of the lab, and the skills that you have that can potentially contribute to the lab and topic of study. Feel free to attach and supporting documents that might be helpful (CV, transcripts, publications, etc...). I will likely not respond to introductory emails that do not specifically speak to your interest and fit in the lab.- Useful resources
TPSS Graduate Program
Apply through Graduate Division
An example of how to craft an effective introductory email
An example of how to write an effective research interest statement. Or search the web for many, many more examples.