Research
Conservation Genetics of Imperiled Plants of the Southeastern US
Conradina glabra
In the Conservation Genetics Lab at ABG, one of the main foci is population genetic studies of rare and endangered species. Many of these plants are threatened with extinction if proper management and safeguarding does not occur. Information on genetic diversity and clonality is critical for understanding whether species will be resilient in the face of future pressures such as habitat destruction or climate change. We work closely with state and federal agencies to address questions about species with the most urgent needs.
Evolution of Storage Roots in Convolvulaceae
Storage roots of sweetpotato (left) and Merremia dissecta (right) stained for lignin (pink)
Storage roots are an important adaptation to harsh environmental conditions. Our work has shown that storage roots have evolved numerous times in morning glories. We apply a comparative approach to understand the evolutionary and developmental biology of storage roots. Specifically, we examine root gene expression, morphology, anatomy, and starch content.
Phylogenomics of the Sweetpotato Complex
Phylogenetic relationships among sweetpotato and its wild relatives have been difficult to resolve in the past due to rapid diversification, polyploidy, and hybridization. We are applying phylogenomic methods to better understand relationships in the sweetpotato complex as well as how hybridization has shaped the evolutionary history of this group. This work also allows us to better characterize the evolution of polyploidy in the sweetpotato complex as well as understand the origins of cultivated sweetpotato.
Ipomoea triloba
Morning Glory Phylogenetics and Taxonomy
Morning glories are a vastly diverse group of flowering plants, comprising about 800 species distributed across the globe. Most are twining vines, but many are shrubs, lianas, and even trees. Morning glory taxonomy is generally incongruent with molecular phylogenetic results; therefore, part of my work involves phylogenetics of morning glories as well as revising species-level taxonomy based on phylogenetic results.
Time-calibrated phylogeny of morning glories