The general aim of the research in our lab is to understand processes that regulate terrestrial biogeochemical cycles of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the agricultural environment. We hope to develop insights that will improve N and P use efficiencies, minimize leakiness and lead to a more sustainable commercial agriculture production.

Specifically, we are studying how water quality and irrigation frequency effect N transformations, availability, and loss into the environment. Our study spans the microbial to the field scale. We focus on N transformations at the solid and liquid phases of the soil and their impact on greenhouse gas emissions. 

In the phosphorus cycle, we study the effect of biowaste stabilization and organic matter characteristics on P availability in soils. Using different lab methods we study changes in the ratios between the organic and inorganic P fraction in the biowastes. We focus on the interactions between organic matter (dissolved and solid) and orthophosphate and its influence on P adsorption to clays and transport in soils.