I am thrilled to announce that I have formally accepted a position as a Research Assistant Professor of Microbial Ecology at the University of Oregon‘s Biology and the Built Environment Center (BioBE) starting in June in Eugene, Oregon!  BioBE brings together architects and biologists to study how we (and our microbes) interact with the built environment.  Combined with the Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, our collaborative team researches how to make buildings more efficient, sustainable, pleasant, and healthy.

Last week, I went to Portland, Oregon for the first ever meeting of the Health and Energy Research Consortium (HERC), which brings together researchers, foundations, consultants, and industry leaders from different fields to discuss these research issues and foster interdisciplinary work in the built environment.  This includes everything from designing lighting control systems that better integrate human behavior and preferences, to understanding how our human microbiomes interact with building materials to create a unique building microbiome that can feed back onto us in a positive or negative way.  More information can be found on the BioBE site, as well as microBEnet.  And of course, I’ll be sure to keep you updated right here.

Lee, Izzy, and I have been in Montana for just over two wonderful years, and while we will miss being just 30 min away from great skiing, we are also excited for this next chapter of our life.  Is it a coincidence that the next chapter is located in wine country and less than an hour from the beach?  Too early to say.  One thing is for sure, though, the friendships and collaborations I’ve made here will continue to be cultivated in the years to come.

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