Stephen R Downie

Stephen R Downie is a Professor in Plant Biology and Associate Dean for Curricula and Academic Policy at the University of Illinois's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He also serves as Curator of the University of Illinois Vascular Plant Herbarium. He holds a B.Sc. from the University of Guelph (1982) and a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta (1988), with postdoctoral work at the University of Michigan and Indiana University.

His research focuses on the systematics and evolution of flowering plants, particularly the Apiaceae (carrot family). He uses molecular data from chloroplast and nuclear genomes, alongside morphological and fruit anatomical evidence, to trace evolutionary histories. Key projects include studying western North American endemics like Cymopterus and Lomatium, and global Apiaceae phylogeny with international collaborators.

Recent articles highlight phylogenomic studies of angiosperms, East Asia Apiaceae clades, and North American Angelica species. His work emphasizes taxonomic revisions, genetic analysis, and evolutionary patterns. He has contributed to over 100 publications, with collaborations worldwide. His lab focuses on resolving taxonomic boundaries and understanding biogeographic processes in Apiaceae.