Welcome to the Tfaily Lab at the University of Arizona

Department of Environmental Science

Overview

My research program at the University of Arizona advances environmental chemistry through comprehensive exploration of organic matter, microorganism, and ecosystem interactions in the context of global environmental change. My lab employs advanced analytical techniques, including high-resolution mass spectrometry and multi-omics approaches, to investigate how biogeochemical processes in terrestrial and aquatic environments influence ecosystem functioning, climate feedback mechanisms, and human health. Our work ranges from molecular-scale analyses to ecosystem-level studies, providing a holistic understanding of environmental systems.

The integration of metabolomics, genomics, and other -omics technologies allows us to elucidate complex relationships between chemical, biological, and physical processes in the environment. This interdisciplinary approach is crucial for addressing critical global challenges, including climate change, environmental pollution, and sustainable resource management.

A central focus of my lab is deciphering how environmental conditions and stressors alter the molecular composition and reactivity of organic matter, and the subsequent impacts on microbial communities, ecosystem processes, and biogeochemical cycles. We are dedicated to exploring how these environmental changes indirectly affect human health through alterations in air and water quality, soil health, and food systems.

Core Research Themes:

1. Organic matter dynamics characterization: Investigation of transformation pathways across various environmental compartments (soil, water, air) and ecosystems (arid lands, semi-arid regions, boreal peatlands, permafrost thaw zones, tropical rainforests) under changing climate conditions.

2. Microbial drivers of biogeochemical interactions: Exploration of microbial contributions to soil-biosphere-atmosphere (and outer space) interactions, particularly related to greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration in culture and field settings.

3. Plant metabolic responses: Examination of plant metabolism responses to environmental stressors and implications for ecosystem resilience, including invasion dynamics.

4. Innovative analytical techniques: Development of novel methods and data integration approaches for comprehensive environmental monitoring and assessment.

5. Environmental quality and human health: Analysis of links between environmental pollutants (e.g., polyaromatic hydrocarbons) and human metabolic processes, and their impacts on health outcomes such as cancer.

6. Metabolomics and AI in Ecology: Application of metabolomics and AI-driven models to track biodiversity changes, monitor ecosystem resilience, and predict ecosystem responses to environmental stressors, focusing on long-term sustainability.

7. Phages for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation: Exploration of phage use to mitigate methane production in permafrost ecosystems by targeting specific microbial communities. This research investigates phage-host dynamics in controlled model ecosystems to understand methane emission reduction while maintaining ecosystem balance.

8. Phages in Human Health and Antimicrobial Resistance: Investigation of phage potential to overcome antimicrobial resistance, specifically for treating burn wounds. This research focuses on phage therapy as an innovative approach to combat resistant bacterial infections, offering a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics and improving patient outcomes in wound healing.