Jamie Howard, Ph.D.

My research involves the study of beneficial symbioses, including how symbiotic partners choose and 'communicate' with one another and how specificity in 'partner choice' evolves. My primary focus has been on the symbiosis between legume plants and nitrogen-fixing root bacteria, although I also have conducted research on a squid--bioluminescent bacteria (Euprymna spp.--Vibrio fischeri) symbiotic system. In addition, my work focuses on the biodiversity of legume rhizobial partners, especially the identification of unusual bacterial strains that reside in root nodules of desert-adapted plants.

Teaching interests

I have taught a diverse group of courses at previous institutions, including introductory biology for majors, plant biology for non-majors, human physiology, genetics, applied genetics, genetic engineering, bioinformatics, and applied and environmental microbiology.