As a microbial ecologist, I am constantly amazed by the power of microbes to influence nearly all aspects of life as we know it. My professional purpose is to harness this power by developing microbial-based technologies for the sustainable production of food, energy, and materials. The most satisfying moments of my professional career have come when playing a role in the creation and development of ideas in the lab followed by application in the field to help people solve real-world problems. I love being immersed in the tranquility of unspoiled nature while taking a walk in the woods with my wife Gina and our Rottweiler Dixon.