Daniel Spalink

Daniel Spalink is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology at Texas A&M University and Director of the S.M. Tracy Herbarium. His work focuses on plant biodiversity, biogeography, and evolutionary ecology. He holds a B.S. in Biology from Calvin University and a Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His research addresses three core questions: 1) spatial structure of biodiversity, 2) drivers of diversification, and 3) conservation strategies under climate change. He leads the Spalink Lab, which integrates phylogenetics, ecological modeling, and morphometrics to study lineage evolution and conservation.

Education:

• B.S. Biology, Calvin University
• Ph.D., Botany, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Research interests span plant systematics, niche evolution, and biodiversity quantification. His work bridges evolutionary processes with applied conservation, using species distribution models and phylogenetic approaches. Recent publications focus on Cyperaceae taxonomy, sedge diversification, and global plant biodiversity assessments. He is a member of Texas A&M AgriLife and collaborates on initiatives like the State of the World's Plants report.

Labs/Teams: Director of S.M. Tracy Herbarium and leader of the Spalink Lab at Texas A&M University.