My research group has an interest in three primary areas: 1) Metagenomic Analysis of Microbial Assemblages. We study complex microbial assemblages in different environments. The research topics include expression of natural products (enzymes, metabolites) encoded in environmental metagenomes. 2) Biological control of disease using beneficial microorganisms, particularly within the genus Bacillus, that can promote growth and/or control disease in aquaculture farmed fish and in agriculturally important plants. 3) Pathogenesis and control of virulent Aeromonas hydrophila. Our studies have led to the development of diagnostic methods and a vaccine for a virulent Aeromonas hydrophila that is responsible for severe epidemic outbreaks of disease in farmed fish in the US and other countries.