Hello! My name is Harry, and I am a student at Tufts University and part of the 2026 cohort of Laidlaw Scholars.

My research project investigates whether simple, low-cost habitat measurements can predict soil microbial diversity in recovering New England forests. Using five field-measurable variables, I am developing the Habitat-Based Microbial Recovery Index (hMRI): a "health score" for forest soils that conservation organizations and land managers can use without expensive lab sequencing.

Through this research, my overall goal is to reframe rewilding as a public health strategy, not just an environmental one. As antibiotic resistance is increasing, some of the most promising sources of new antibiotics are soil microbes. By identifying which recovering forests have conditions associated with strong microbial communities, I hope to help direct conservation efforts toward the forests most likely to yield tomorrow's medical discoveries.

If you would like to connect or have any questions at all, please feel free to reach out!