About

Terpenoids are the most diverse class of small molecule specialized metabolites with critical functions in plant growth, chemical defense, and ecological adaptation, enabling plants survive and thrive in an ever-changing environment. Many terpenoids are also important bioproducts of everyday modern life, including pharmaceuticals, flavors, fragrances, biofuels, and more. Our research integrates functional genomics, metabolomics, biochemical, protein structure-function and genetic tools to decode the biosynthesis, diversity, and biological functions of terpenoid metabolic networks in food, bioenergy and medicinal plants. Our overarching goal is to harness these fundamental insights for developing innovative strategies to improve crop traits and advance terpenoid bioproduct engineering.