Research Interests:

As a member of the Davis Lab in the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology my thesis will combine fieldwork, herbarium work, and molecular study.  I believe a firm understanding of a group of organisms gained through whole organism study and molecular techniques is essential to a well-rounded graduate training.

My main interests are in plant systematics, biogeography, and evolution though I am also interested in ecology, conservation, and the restoration of natural habitats.

Currently I am working to further resolve the generic level phylogeny of the clusioid clade (Malpighiales) using molecular techniques. The clusioids consist of five families (Bonnetiaceae, Calophyllaceae, Clusiaceae, Hypericaceae, and Podostemaceae) and have both tropical and temperate representatives. Examples of plants included in this group are the St. John’s worts; the tropical fruits, the mangosteen and the mammey apple; and the river-weeds. 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.