Linda Kinkel and her research team seek to understand the factors that mediate the functional capacities of soil and endophytic microbiomes to enhance plant health and productivity. Research in the Kinkel lab integrates diverse cultural and ‘omics approaches in field, greenhouse, and laboratory experiments to elucidate the ecological and evolutionary drivers of microbial functional capacities in soil and plants. Kinkel also leads the international Agricultural Microbiomes Research Coordination Network, which seeks to stimulate the development and engagement of a global community of researchers to advance the capacity of microbiome research to address significant challenges in agriculture.