Congratulations to our amazing Masters Student Donna Hinrichs who was recognized as an Outstanding Masters Graduate Finalist at the Fall 2024 Commencement!
Congratulations to our superstar undergraduate Cera Aex, who was the recipient of the David R. Andrew Outstanding Scholar Award, and was one of only 2 students to graduate with a 4.0 GPA (and honors!) in the College of Sciences. We study how often adaptation occurs in natural plant populations as well as the genetic and ecological underpinning of such adaptation. Our work largely focuses on adaptation in response to selection pressures associated with climate change including shifting growing seasons, more frequent and severe droughts, and altered biotic interactions. We also are interested in understanding the role of adaptation in the invasions of introduced species. Methods in the lab range from molecular genetics to genomics and bioinformatics to manipulative experiments in the field, all integrated together to better understand fundamental questions in evolutionary biology.
You may notice that only one tab within this website is devoted to research; this is because scientists have a number of other equally important responsibilities including teaching and mentoring students, communicating science to the public, assisting in development of public policy and promoting the transition between basic and applied research. We place a high value on each of these topics and strive to make a contribution to each of these priorities. |