Complex webs of life integrate and drive processes that affect outcomes from the individual health of a human or plant to entire planetary mineral cycles. Our laboratory leverages quantitative measurements, precision genetics, and model-driven experimentation to predict, control, and design biological function in the context of these webs. We are especially interested in understanding and ameliorating the processes that are interlinked with the radical changes our planet is and will be experiencing as climate is forced, populations grow, and pressures are placed on the resources we use to survive. We are also interested in what it might take to establish ourselves on the next planet as humanity begins to consider long term crewed missions on the Moon and Mars. Building safe, sustainable biotechnologies for environmental stewardship, health, food, and materials based on well-informed systems-level bioengineering is our main goal.