Viruses are everywhere in the environment and influence human, plant, and ecosystem health, yet most remain unknown. Jeffrey Blanchard's research project will use community DNA and RNA sequencing to uncover novel soil viruses and track how their abundance changes over time in the Quabbin Reservoir Watershed, a critical site for Massachusetts and the Northeast. These discoveries will inform forestry, agriculture, and water quality management while creating opportunities for innovation and student training in microbiome data science.