Research interests
My research interests are in the ecology and evolution of plant reproductive systems and our research group focuses on features that promote outcrossing between individuals; namely, the evolution of separate (as opposed to combined) sexes and the evolution of physiological mechanisms that prevent self-fertilization in hermaphrodites. Such traits are important in controlling patterns of mating and affect the level of heterozygosity within individuals, the extent of genetic variation in populations, and the evolutionary potential of populations.
The lab is also interested in the inference and interpretation of phylogenetic histories, the impact of hybridization on plant speciation and reproductive strategies, and comparative studies of features that accompany transitions in sexual strategies, such as the evolution of floral sexual dimorphism or the temporal/spatial segregation of sexual function. Finally, we are interested in the development of floral morphologies and the roles of phenotypic plasticity and plant architecture in molding reproductive phenotypes.
During my time at Amherst, my group has developed the plant genus Lycium as a useful natural system to study evolutionary transitions of reproductive traits. Members of this genus vary both in the deployment of sexual function (i.e., some species and populations are hermaphroditic, whereas others have separate sexes), and in the presence of genetically controlled self-incompatibility systems. This group is also interesting from a molecular systematic perspective given its cosmopolitan distribution, species richness, patterns of hybridization (coupled with variation in ploidy levels), and diverse reproductive systems.
Link to publications from the lab or browse titles of past student research projects.
The lab is also interested in the inference and interpretation of phylogenetic histories, the impact of hybridization on plant speciation and reproductive strategies, and comparative studies of features that accompany transitions in sexual strategies, such as the evolution of floral sexual dimorphism or the temporal/spatial segregation of sexual function. Finally, we are interested in the development of floral morphologies and the roles of phenotypic plasticity and plant architecture in molding reproductive phenotypes.
During my time at Amherst, my group has developed the plant genus Lycium as a useful natural system to study evolutionary transitions of reproductive traits. Members of this genus vary both in the deployment of sexual function (i.e., some species and populations are hermaphroditic, whereas others have separate sexes), and in the presence of genetically controlled self-incompatibility systems. This group is also interesting from a molecular systematic perspective given its cosmopolitan distribution, species richness, patterns of hybridization (coupled with variation in ploidy levels), and diverse reproductive systems.
Link to publications from the lab or browse titles of past student research projects.
Research awards
Faculty Research Award Program small grant, Amherst College
2023; Genetic marker development & reproductive isolation in an un-described plant species; $10,000
Faculty Research Award Program small grant, Amherst College
2019; Restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) in Lycium australe (Solanaceae)
National Science Foundation 0843364
2009-2018; RUI: Fine scale phylogenetic relationships in Lycieae (Solanaceae): A multilocus approach for understanding biogeography, polyploidy, and reproductive evolution
Faculty Research Award Program large grant, Amherst College
2009; Species-level evolutionary relationships in Old World Lycium (Solanaceae) using multiple nuclear COSII markers
National Science Foundation 0343735
2004-08; RUI: Phylogenetic Relationships and Character Evolution in Lycieae (Solanaceae)
Faculty Research Award Program small grant, Amherst College
2007; A tale of two continents: Long-distance dispersal of Lycium – an empirical test of Baker’s Law
Faculty Research Award Program small grant, Amherst College
2006; Phylogeography of southwestern US and Mexican Lycium californicum (Solanaceae)
Faculty Research Award Program small grant, Amherst College
2004; Too much of a good thing – redundancy and the evolution of separate sexes in Lycium (Solanaceae)
National Science Foundation 0343732
2004-09; Collaborative Research: Architectural Effects and the Analysis of Sexual Size Dimorphism
2023; Genetic marker development & reproductive isolation in an un-described plant species; $10,000
Faculty Research Award Program small grant, Amherst College
2019; Restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) in Lycium australe (Solanaceae)
National Science Foundation 0843364
2009-2018; RUI: Fine scale phylogenetic relationships in Lycieae (Solanaceae): A multilocus approach for understanding biogeography, polyploidy, and reproductive evolution
Faculty Research Award Program large grant, Amherst College
2009; Species-level evolutionary relationships in Old World Lycium (Solanaceae) using multiple nuclear COSII markers
National Science Foundation 0343735
2004-08; RUI: Phylogenetic Relationships and Character Evolution in Lycieae (Solanaceae)
Faculty Research Award Program small grant, Amherst College
2007; A tale of two continents: Long-distance dispersal of Lycium – an empirical test of Baker’s Law
Faculty Research Award Program small grant, Amherst College
2006; Phylogeography of southwestern US and Mexican Lycium californicum (Solanaceae)
Faculty Research Award Program small grant, Amherst College
2004; Too much of a good thing – redundancy and the evolution of separate sexes in Lycium (Solanaceae)
National Science Foundation 0343732
2004-09; Collaborative Research: Architectural Effects and the Analysis of Sexual Size Dimorphism
