Seminar Summary - Coastal wetlands in the Great Lakes face a suite of interacting stressors, and understanding the processes that drive plant performance and invasive species dynamics is essential for improving restoration outcomes. My research aims to refine coastal wetland restoration strategies by investigating the mechanistic processes that govern ecosystem health and recovery. I work closely with land managers to incorporate this mechanistic context into decision‑making and on‑the‑ground practice. I will share my work examining the mechanisms underlying invasive plant control—from the physiological responses of Phragmites to treatment through the shifts in soil and microbial communities that follow management—as well as my investigations into how site conditions and microbial interactions influence native plant germination, vigor, stress tolerance, and reestablishment during restoration. This work is tightly linked to partner needs intended to strengthen restoration approaches and enhance the long‑term resilience of Great Lakes wetlands.