I am originally from Rhode Island, received a BS in Biology from SUNY Oneonta, and a PhD in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh.

The Fontaine Lab studies the physiology, ecology, and fitness of amphibians and reptiles with a primary focus on how these factors are influenced by host-associated microbial communities. We are especially interested in how host-microbe interactions mediate organismal responses to a rapidly changing world. A long-term goal of the lab is ​use microbiome science to develop applied conservation solutions for wildlife health.