Morgan Carter

Morgan Carter serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she leads the Carter Lab within the Bioinformatics Building and contributes to the CIPHER Research Center. Her work bridges molecular biology, genetics, and computational analysis to investigate complex microbial ecosystems.

Dr. Carter's research specializes in molecular host-microbe-microbe interactions, with emphasis on bacterial-fungal symbioses affecting plant health. Her lab employs integrated wet-lab and bioinformatics approaches to decode microbial communication networks, aiming to develop novel strategies for agricultural sustainability and environmental management. She actively promotes the One Health philosophy that interconnects human, animal, and ecosystem health through microbial dynamics.

Highlighted in the June 4, 2024 de-CIPHERing Infectious Disease podcast episode, her work explores plant immune systems and pathogen interactions while addressing critical science-policy interfaces. Dr. Carter maintains strong commitments to inclusive mentorship, lab safety culture, and science communication, creating collaborative research spaces that prioritize student development and work-life balance.

Her laboratory investigations into fungal-bacterial relationships reveal applications in sustainable agriculture and food production systems, demonstrating how microbial symbioses can be harnessed for crop protection and environmental resilience. Current efforts focus on translating molecular findings into practical agricultural interventions through interdisciplinary partnerships.