Sharon Doty’s research focus is on the importance of the plant microbiome for plant growth, nutrient acquisition, and tolerance to both abiotic (drought, heat, pollutants, salt) and biotic (pathogens) stresses. Doty takes an interdisciplinary approach, combining techniques from molecular biology, microbiology and biochemistry. Through her outreach and teaching, Doty emphasizes the ability of natural plant-microbe partnerships to address environmental challenges including agricultural chemical run-off, climate change, and pollution. With funding from the Department of Energy, the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission and the Specialty Crops Block Grant Program, she and her research team are developing “plant probiotics” to reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and to increase the resilience of trees to a changing climate. She is part of the UW space research program and serves on the executive teams of the International Symbiosis Society and the International Poplar Commission where she serves as Chair of the working group on Environmental and Ecosystem Services.