Dr. Jude Maul received a master’s degree in Plant Biochemistry from University of Kentucky and a PhD in Horticulture and Biogeochemistry from Cornell University in 2008. Since then he has been with the USDA-ARS as a Research Ecologist in the Sustainable Agriculture System Laboratory. Dr. Maul's research focuses on molecular ecology at the plant/soil/water interface in the context of plant health, nutrient acquisition, and productivity. Dr. Maul uses advanced molecular and metagenomic approaches to understand the interaction of both beneficial and detrimental soil and plant associated organisms and uses this knowledge to help farmers defend against disease and crop loss. Taking a systems approach to agroecosystem research, Dr. Maul leads the USDA-ARS-LTAR Soils Working group which is creating a national soils data repository which coincides with Dr. Maul’s research results contributing to national soil health management recommendations.