We are broadly interested in how plants are able to sense and respond to chemical signals. Our research is currently focused on karrikins, a class of compounds found in smoke, and strigolactones, a family of plant hormones. These chemicals give plants clues about their environment that shape when seeds germinate and the form of the growing plants. We use genetic, biochemical, and evolutionary strategies to understand how these signals work. Our long-term goal is to apply this knowledge to improve agriculture.