Research Interests
Our lab studies plant evolutionary ecology. Much of our research examines rapid, contemporary evolution, often using the resurrection approach of comparing ancestors and descendants under common conditions. We especially focus on understanding evolutionary responses to climate change and evolution in invasive species.
Our previous work found that a drought in California caused rapid evolution of earlier flowering time, allowing drought escape, in field mustard (Brassica rapa), and resulted in changes in multiple genes throughout the genome. We helped to establish a multi-investigator effort, Project Baseline, to monitor evolution using a collection of millions of seeds from populations of multiple species throughout the U.S. We are also participating in a project to examine patters of gene expression and selection on rice populations subjected to drought and salt stress.
Positions available
There are currently positions available for interested postdocs, graduate and undergraduate students. Please contact me for more information.
