About
Affiliation
U-M Herbarium
Research areas
My research focus is plant diversity. I explore topics in plant systematics, biogeography, and the flora of the Eastern United States. To do so, I combine various aspects of fieldwork, herbarium work, and molecular study. Currently I am focused on resolving the evolutionary and biogeographical history of the river-weed family (Podostemaceae). The river-weeds belong to the clusioid clade of Malpighiales which consists of five families (Bonnetiaceae, Calophyllaceae, Clusiaceae, Hypericaceae, and Podostemaceae) and have both tropical and temperate representatives. Examples of other plants included in this group are the St. Johns worts and the tropical fruits, the mangosteen and the mammey apple. It is my hope that by resolving relationships within this clade, we can begin to understand the systematics, biogeography, and character evolution within this fascinating group of plants. I am also working to further understand the flora of the eastern United States by conducting floristic studies.
