Principal Investigator

Research Interests:

I have been interested in many areas of science since I was young, but I managed to narrow down my broad interests to microbiology and genetics as an undergraduate. My training in microbial genetics as a graduate student prepared me for studying microbes in many different settings. I have always been interested in working on projects that can be applied somehow – to improve environmental management, animal health, or plant productivity – as a result, my research explores microbes in a number of different ecological settings. I am fascinated by the number of ways that microbes influence the world around us, and seek to share my enthusiasm through my teaching and research activities.

Microbial populations are a key component of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and are responsible for mediating a number of important processes, including nutrient cycling and biogeochemical transformations. Molecular biology tools allow us to describe the diversity and structure of microbial communities in natural systems and relate these to environmental drivers and ecosystem function. I am interested in studying the ecology of the microbial communities in order to ultimately improve our ability to predict the impact of anthropogenic influences on processes mediated by microbial communities. I am also interested in applying our understanding of microbial ecology to improve the health and sustainability of natural and managed ecosystems.

Links:

akent@illinois.edu
Publications
Profile
CV

Post-Doctoral Researchers

Research Interests:

I am focusing on the medley of ways humans manipulate soil microbiomes in agricultural systems, including through crop breeding and management practices. My dissertation focused predominantly on the maize microbiome and the influence of domestication on microbiome function (N-cycling and immune-supporting functions). I have also collaborated with researchers at the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproduct Innovation (CABBI) to understand the Sorghum bicolor microbiome within bioenergy
systems, and the relationship between the plant metabolome and microbiome.

Projects:

I’m currently an Institute of Genomic Biology Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the U of I within the Infection Genomics for One Health research theme and hope to expand my knowledge of anthropogenic microbiome manipulation to urban systems. However, I am most likely not leaving the Kent Laboratory anytime soon, as it is always available for science rants on request.

Links:

sraglin2@illinois.edu

Ph.D. Students

Research Interests:

I am investigating the structure and functions of plant-associated soil microbiomes, particularly how they are impacted by human activities and how they affect agricultural sustainability. I specialize in soil nitrogen (N) cycling, a crucial limiting factor in agroecosystems, using soil metagenomics and network analysis to identify key functional groups.

Projects:

Currently, I am engaged in several research projects that span both the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) and the Genomics and Eco-Evolution of Multi-Scale Symbioses (GEMS) at the University of Illinois. My work primarily focuses on the intricate relationships between fertilization, breeding, and key nitrogen (N) cycling processes in bioenergy grasses. Additionally, I delve into the long-term effects of fertilization and management practices on both symbiotic and free-living biological nitrogen fixation.

Links:

danyang5@illinois.edu

Research Interests:

My research interests dive into disentangling the crosstalk between host-microbiome interactions. I previously worked in molecular responses of archaea in response to toxic heavy metal bioremediation. These questions in a broader perspective try to address environmental sustainability, remediation, and productivity with respect to how microbiome influences the host and how the crosstalk looks like from a molecular scale. My current research interest lies in plant-microbiome interactions, crosstalk, and how host phenotype-genotype complexity influences microbiome structure, composition, and their functions from a biogeochemical cycling standpoint, particularly focusing on the role of the microbiome on the Nitrogen cycle.

Links:

sc99@illinois.edu

Research Interests:

I am interested in the impact of intensive management practices on soil and plant microbiomes in agricultural systems. I believe science has the power to change how individuals think and act, which can have a significant impact on how ecosystems function. As a part of pursuing my PhD in the Kent lab, I’m broadly curious about how human land-use changes affect biogeochemical processes and plant-soil-microbial interactions and how microbes can better serve the purpose of creating a sustainable agroecosystem.

Links:

paudel3@illinois.edu

Lab Technicians

I was previously a Senior Research Specialist in the Microbiology section at the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, part of the College of Veterinary Medicine. I started with Illinois in March 2001 but worked as a Lab Manager for the Penn State Animal Diagnostic Lab for a year prior to moving. My current work has me in the field collecting soil samples in the hot summer heat and then running lab assays on that soil throughout the year. I also assist with other projects where needed. You can find me mostly in ERML, but also in IGB and Morrill Hall.

Links:

kle132@illinois.edu

Research Interests:

I am a Master’s student in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, within the Laboratory of Dr. Zhongjie Yu. My Master’s research focuses on long-term nitrate modeling in agricultural watersheds using isotope biogeochemistry. I have been part of the “Quaran-Team” helping my roommate, Sierra S. Raglin, with field, lab, and greenhouse work.

Links:

sabinem2@illinois.edu

Undergraduate Researchers

B.S., Environmental Sciences, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2023
Minor: Chemistry
Links: Smruti Warekar | LinkedIn

Major: Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
Minor: Environmental Economics and the Law
Expected Graduation: May 2025
Concentration: Environmental Science and Management

Major: Molecular & Cellular Biology
Minor: Spanish
Expected Graduation: May 2025
Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fatima-vazquez-b98273222/

Major: Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
Expected Graduation: May 2026
Concentration: Ecosystem Stewardship and Restoration Ecology

Major: Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
Expected Graduation: May 2026
Concentration: Environmental Science and Management

Major: Crop Sciences
Expected Graduation: May 2024
Concentration: Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology

Anna Kedas

Undergraduate Research Associate:
July 2023-present

Haneef Khan

Undergraduate Research Associate:
January 2024-present

Major: Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
Expected Graduation: May 2027
Concentration: Environmental Science and Management

Past Lab Members

Faith Smith

Laboratory Assistant:
August 2021-August 2023