I started my career studying lateral gene transfer, the movement of genes between microorganisms. I then looked at integrons, genetic elements which are molecular machines with the purpose of acquiring new genes without disrupting the host genome. From there I went one to study population structures of bacteria in aquatic environments, before moving into genomic epidemiology, tracking the causative agent of cholera in various locales and describing novel pathogenic species. Here in Singapore, I am continuing this work by looking at the subspecies ecology and evolution of enteric pathogens.