Ph.D. 1983, Microbiology, Oregon State University. Plant-fungal symbioses and Salmonid genetics; molecular biology, microbial ecology, genetics, biochemistry, plant physiology. The research generated from this program is intended to be used for the scientifically sound management of natural resources.

Current research ranges from studies of the role of fungi in the invasiveness of non-indigenous plants to the hybridization between rainbow and cutthroat trout species. The fungal research projects involve 1) determining the genetic and biochemical bases of symbiotic lifestyles (mutualism commensalism, parasitism), and 2) Using fungal symbiosis to reduce crop irrigation requirements, increase efficiency of habitat restoration, protect plants against disease to reduce to flow of pesticides into aquatic systems, and protect plants in natural and agricultural ecosystems against the impacts of global warming (increased CO2, temperature, drought, and salinity). The salmon projects involve developing PCR based genetic systems to determine sex and run timing of juveniles and adults, and assess hybridization between species.