David Taylor

Dr. David Taylor is a Professor of Biology and Professor of Sustainability & Regeneration at Indiana University Southeast, where he also serves as Curator of the Herbarium. His office is located in LF-314, and he can be contacted via email (dwtaylo2@iu.edu) or phone (+1-812-941-2377). He earned his Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Connecticut, Storrs.

His research integrates evolutionary botany, paleobiology, and environmental science. Key projects include:

• Investigating the origin of the geological biomarker oleanane through plant specimen analysis
• Reconstructing water lily (Nymphaeales) phylogeny using molecular and morphological data
• Leading local sustainability initiatives targeting invasive species

Broad research interests encompass:

• Angiosperm evolution and fossil relationships
• Paleobiological geochemistry (carbon isotopes)
• Plant-pollinator coevolution
• Experimental morphogenetic analysis

Dr. Taylor actively mentors students in field and lab research, employing Project-Based Learning and flipped classroom techniques in his teaching. He has authored over 40 scientific publications.