The Hynson Lab for Community Ecology is located in the Pacific Biosciences Research Center at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Our lab is on the second floor in the Life Sciences Building.

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Research focus

Study of plant, fungal and microbial communities

We study the ecology of plant, fungal and other microbial communities. Our research is both theoretical and applied. We are especially interested in learning whether there are fundamental rules of life for microbial communities and the symbiosis between plants and fungi known as mycorrhizae.

Goals of our research

The goals of our research are to: 1) better understand how symbiotic microbial communities, especially fungi assemble in nature, and how this in-turn affects host performance 2) examine the ecophysiological interactions between plants and their fungal partners and, 3) synthesize how variations in biotic and abiotic conditions alter the ecological outcomes and evolutionary trajectories of plant-fungal interactions.

Our approach

To address these questions, we incorporate field and greenhouse studies with molecular, computational, bioinformatic and physiological approaches. We are always open to new collaborations, especially those that involve the ecology, evolution and ecophysiology of plants and fungi.

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The Hynson Lab has been open since 2012. We are a diverse group of scientists with backgrounds ranging from ecology and evolution to computational biology and physiology who are all intrigued by fungi. The Hynson Lab is run by Dr. Nicole Hynson, Professor in the Pacific Biosciences Research Center at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

We are strongly committed to achieving excellence through diversity. We work together to combat prejudice and work toward equity and inclusion, within the lab and in the communities with whom we interact – on campus and beyond. 

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