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Christopher EckertView profile

Professor

• Evolutionary Biology
• Plant Ecology
• Species Range Limits
• +3 more

Christopher Eckert is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Queen’s University, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Science. His research focuses on evolutionary ecology, particularly how species adapt to environmental challenges and why adaptation sometimes fails. He uses plants as model organisms to investigate species' range limits, reproductive strategies, and conservation implications. Eckert’s work combines field surveys, genomic analysis, and controlled experiments to understand ecological and evolutionary processes. Education: B.Sc. Zoology (Western University), M.Sc. Behavioural Ecology (Carleton University), Ph.D. Evolutionary Botany (University of Toronto). He has conducted fieldwork globally, including studies in the Canadian Rockies and Pacific coastal dunes. His lab trains students in ecology, evolution, and quantitative skills, emphasizing field biology and data analysis in R. Research Interests: Species range limits, adaptive evolution, plant reproductive systems, clonality, biological invasions, and conservation biology. His lab emphasizes collaboration and inclusivity, fostering training at all academic levels. Notable projects include investigations into elevational range limits in montane plants and the persistence of populations beyond natural ranges. Publications (selected): Over 100 peer-reviewed articles, including studies on range limits, mating systems, and conservation genetics. His work bridges ecology and evolution, addressing critical questions about species’ adaptability in changing environments.

• Botany
• Plant Anatomy
• Plant Morphology
• +4 more

Asst. Prof. Pelin Baran is affiliated with the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics at Uşak University's Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences. She has held academic positions since 2007, including serving as Head of Department since 2016. Her educational background includes a PhD in Biology (2011) and MSc in Botany (2005) from Manisa Celal Bayar University. Her research focuses on plant systematics, morphological and anatomical analysis of endemic species, particularly in Lamiaceae and Papaveraceae families. Key areas include trichome morphology, pollen analysis, and ecological adaptations of Turkish flora. She has published extensively on topics such as airborne pollen patterns in Uşak and comparative studies of endemic taxa. Baran has authored/co-authored 26 publications indexed in Scopus with 7 citations and an H-index of 1. Her work spans peer-reviewed journals like Turkish Journal of Botany and conferences including the European Symposium on Aerobiology. She teaches courses ranging from molecular biology to plant ecology and has managed research projects focusing on plant biodiversity.

Nils CronbergView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Bryophyte Biology
• Genetic Diversity
• Evolutionary Biology
• +5 more

Nils Cronberg is a Senior Lecturer and Principal Investigator at Lund University, affiliated with the BECC (Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate) initiative, Plant Biology Department, and Biodiversity and Evolution research group. His work focuses on bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, hornworts), particularly their genetic diversity, reproductive biology, and evolutionary processes. He leads projects such as BRYOMOLECULES (2024–2027) and has collaborated on initiatives like LUPS (Lund University Plant Sciences Network). Research interests include understanding genetic variability in haploid-dominant life cycles, bryophyte reproductive strategies, hybridization, and genomic complexity. His studies contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to life on land (SDG 15) and climate action (SDG 13). He has supervised five doctoral projects, including work on Scorzoneroides autumnalis ecotypes. Cronberg manages greenhouses at the Department of Biology and actively participates in conferences and workshops, such as Systematikdagarna (2023) and events honoring Göte Turesson’s ecotype concept (2022). He has published over 90 articles, with recent work on gene flow in mosses, ecotypic divergence in Asteraceae, and genome evolution in liverworts. His research bridges basic science and conservation, addressing threats to bryophyte biodiversity and exploring applications in biotechnology.

• Fire Ecology
• Vegetation Management
• Ecological Restoration
• +3 more

Doug Ladd serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Master of Landscape Architecture program at Washington University in St. Louis and holds adjunct roles with the Missouri Botanical Garden and Morton Arboretum. As Director of Conservation Science for The Nature Conservancy's Missouri chapter, he specializes in fire ecology, vegetation management, and ecological restoration. His work spans over 30 years, focusing on Midwestern prairies, woodlands, and lichen biodiversity. Education: Bachelor's degrees in Botany and Chemistry, Southern Illinois University Master's in Botany (thesis on Vermont flora under Robert Mohlenbrock) Research Interests: Fire management protocols, lichen taxonomy, and ecoregional conservation planning. Notable collaborations include Ozark lichen studies with Richard Harris, yielding new species discoveries. His work bridges academic research with applied conservation practices. Publications: Recent studies focus on invasive species detection (e.g., Pilosella aurantiaca) and fungal taxonomy. He authored field guides including North Woods Wildflowers and Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers . Awards: 2019 Garden Club of America Conservation Award 2018 Steyermark Award (Missouri Native Plant Society) 2017 Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award (Conservation Federation of Missouri) Advising & Grants: Collaborates with institutions like the New York Botanical Garden. Leads projects on ecological monitoring protocols and has advised on conservation planning for ecoregions. Active in professional networks through boards of the Conservation Research Institute and Shaw Nature Reserve. Labs/Teams: Research associate at Missouri Botanical Garden and Morton Arboretum; contributes to interdisciplinary teams in lichenology and fire ecology.

Christine DavisView profile

Professor

• Bryophyte Diversity and Systematics
• Plant Symbiosis
• Biology Education Research

Dr. Christine Davis is an Instructional Professor and Director of the Biology Learning Assistants Program at the University of Florida's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences , Department of Biology. She holds a PhD in Botany from Duke University (2005) and a BS in Botany from the University of Florida (1998). Her work spans three core areas: bryophyte systematics, plant symbiosis, and biology education innovation. Dr. Davis leads NSF-funded projects like GoFlag (phylogenetic analysis of flagellate plants) and Cultivating Equity in STEM (inclusive teaching practices). She teaches courses such as BOT4650 Plant Symbioses and ZOO6926 Practical Pedagogy , emphasizing evidence-based education. Recent research includes collaborative studies on liverwort phylogeny and endophytic fungi interactions, published in American Journal of Botany and Systematic Botany . Her educational initiatives include developing the Gulf Scholars Program 's Gulf Coast Flora course and integrating computational thinking into STEM curricula. She has advised interdisciplinary teams on pedagogical tools and citizen science projects, fostering equitable STEM education.

Sarah BenharrechView profile

Associate Professor

• Enlightenment Studies
• French Literature
• History of Science
• +4 more

Sarah Benharrech is an Associate Professor in the Department of French & Italian at the University of Maryland, College Park, and an affiliate of the Classics department. She holds a Ph.D. from Princeton University. Her research focuses on Enlightenment Studies, Gender Studies, Plant Studies, and Ecocriticism, with particular attention to intersections between literature and science. She is the author of Marivaux et la science du caractère (2013) and co-editor of critical editions including Tiphaigne de La Roche’s Questions sur l’agriculture (2019). Her work uncovers marginalized figures such as botanist Mme Dugage de Pommereul and pioneers studies on women in 18th- and 19th-century science. She has held leadership roles in the Society for Eighteenth-Century French Studies (SECSFS) and is a Chesapeake Project Faculty Fellow. Recent publications explore vegetal agency in Enlightenment treatises, women’s contributions to botanical sciences, and the cultural history of trees. Her research highlights gendered exclusion in scientific archives and examines how botanical knowledge was culturally mediated in early modern cosmologies. Current projects include The Dreams of Plants , analyzing 18th-century French fiction’s engagement with plant knowledge. She has collaborated on translations of underrepresented botanical texts like Clémence Lortet’s Promenades Botaniques and Malesherbes’ early Linnaean manuscripts. Her work bridges literary analysis with environmental humanities, interrogating anthropocentric views of nature in Enlightenment thought. Recent articles (2024) address sap agency debates in gardening treatises, Martin Buber’s arboreal philosophy, and women’s engagement with cryptogams. She actively participates in conferences organizing panels on agricultural knowledge, herbaria, and non-human agency in the long 18th century. Her interdisciplinary approach spans history of science, gender studies, and environmental criticism, fostering dialogue between literary analysis and scientific discourse.

• Genetic Diversity
• Conservation Biology
• Plant Genomics
• +3 more

Margaret Byrne is an Associate Professor and Adjunct Professor at the School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia. She is affiliated with the Institute of Agriculture. Her research focuses on genetic diversity, conservation biology, and plant genomics, particularly in Australian flora and fauna. She has contributed to initiatives such as the Genomics for Australian Plants (GAP) framework and projects like the Kakadu Plum industry development in Northern Australia. Her work addresses topics including genetic divergence, population genetics, and ecological adaptation. Notable research includes a global meta-analysis on genetic diversity loss and studies on Banksia evolution and golden bandicoot conservation. She has published widely in journals like Nature and Australian Systematic Botany . Recent projects include analyzing spatial distribution of rare species via environmental DNA and investigating genetic structure in endangered populations. Byrne’s contributions align with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to biodiversity protection and sustainable land use.

Elizabeth MakingsView profile

Researcher

• Botany
• Conservation Biology
• Plant Ecology
• +3 more

Elizabeth Makings is a Researcher and Collections Manager at the Arizona State University Vascular Plant Herbarium within the School of Life Sciences. She oversees a collection of over 340,000 plant specimens and manages global loan/exchange programs. Her roles include teaching Arizona Flora, Grasses of Arizona, and Sonoran Desert Field Botany, while mentoring over 30 graduate and undergraduate students. She is an administrator for the Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet), contributing to digital data management. Education: MS in Plant Biology, Arizona State University (2003) B.A. in Environmental, Population, and Organismal Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder (1988) Research Interests: Focus on plant diversity, distribution, and evolutionary history, applied to conservation and outreach. Specializes in desert flora and cienega ecosystems. Active in floristic inventories (e.g., San Pedro Riparian NCA) and taxonomic documentation. Recent Publications Trends: Her work emphasizes endangered species conservation (e.g., Eryngium sparganophyllum ), floristic inventories in arid regions, and plant-insect interactions. Collaborations highlight interdisciplinary approaches to desert ecology and urban river restoration. Service & Outreach: Lead over 20 outreach initiatives (e.g., K-12 plant workshops, natural history field trips) Cofounder of the JEDI Biocollections Scholars Program for underrepresented students Consultant for law enforcement plant identification and botanical legal cases Advising & Grants: Supervised 20+ graduate theses/dissertations (e.g., Luke Ramsey’s work on Salt River wetlands). Secured grants for fieldwork, herbarium digitization, and conservation projects (e.g., SEINet maintenance). Labs/Teams: Directs ASU Herbarium operations and collaborates with the Natural History Institute on field expeditions. Active in the Society of Herbarium Curators and Arizona Native Plant Society.

• Paleobotany
• Plant Evolutionary Biology
• Cenozoic Flora
• +3 more

Kathleen Pigg is a Professor in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University (ASU), with affiliations to the Center for Biology and Society. She specializes in paleobotany, studying fossil plants to understand evolutionary relationships and ancient ecosystems. Her research focuses on Cenozoic flora, particularly in western North America, analyzing fossilized fruits, seeds, flowers, and leaves to trace plant adaptation through geological times. Educations: Ph.D. Botany, The Ohio State University (1988) M.S. Botany, The Ohio University (1982) B.S. Botany, The Ohio University (1980) Shawnee State Community College (1975-1977) Her work investigates processes like hybridization in Eocene plants and climate change impacts on flora. She has led field studies in northeastern Washington, examining fossil plants from high-elevation Eocene environments. Pigg’s research group explores how past climate changes influenced plant evolution, offering insights into modern ecological challenges. Notable contributions include studies of the Republic flora (Washington), McAbee flora (British Columbia), and Paleocene floras in North Dakota. She has published extensively on fossil angiosperms, gymnosperms, and ferns, with over 100 peer-reviewed articles. Pigg also serves as Editor of the International Journal of Plant Sciences and has curated significant fossil plant collections at ASU. Grants & Collaborations: Secured NSF funding for digitization projects (e.g., Pteridological Collections Consortium) and studies on Paleocene plant fossils. Her work bridges academia and public outreach through the Stonerose Interpretive Center in Republic, Washington. Labs & Teams: Leads the ASU Fossil Plant Collections, part of the Biodiversity Knowledge Integration Center (BioKIC), housing over three million records of pteridophytes. Collaborates internationally on projects like the Glossopteris reproductive organs and Cenozoic plant migration patterns.

• Climate Change
• Environmental Science
• Forensic Biology
• +5 more

Ken Sweat is a Teaching Professor at Arizona State University's School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences , with affiliations to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and the Global Futures Scientists and Scholars program. He earned his Ph.D. in Plant Biology (2010) and M.S. in Botany (1995) from ASU. Dr. Sweat's research focuses on two primary areas: forensic botany (stomata, pollen, diatoms, and fungal succession analysis) and phytoremediation of metal-polluted soils. His work often involves undergraduate researchers through course-based initiatives like the NSF-funded CURE Program and integrates data science into biology education via capstone projects. Recent publications highlight his expertise in environmental contaminant assessment (uranium, mercury) using plant indicators, chili pepper phytochemistry, and lichen-based air quality monitoring. He teaches upper-division courses such as Forensic Botany , Carbon & Climate , and STEM Research Fundamentals , while also offering public courses on climate change and desert flora.

Tomás A. Carlo JoglarView profile

Professor

• Seed Dispersal Ecology
• Behavioral Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• +3 more

Tomás A. Carlo is a Professor of Biology at Pennsylvania State University, affiliated with the Eberly College of Science and the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado at Boulder (2005), M.S. from North Carolina State University (1999), and B.S. from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (1996). His postdoctoral training was at the University of Washington (2005–2008). His research focuses on plant-animal interactions, particularly seed dispersal ecology, foraging behavior, and evolutionary biology. Key projects span the Caribbean, Argentina, Brazil, and Pennsylvania, emphasizing tropical ecosystems. Using stable-isotope methods, his lab investigates how bird foraging influences plant population dynamics and diversity. Current studies include seed dispersal networks in Brazil, urban vegetation impacts on bird communities, and conservation of endangered species like the Cabo Rojo mistletoe. Carlo’s work bridges zoological and botanical approaches, addressing community organization and resilience. His lab supports numerous students and postdocs, with recent publications on fruit evolution, density-dependent frugivory, and island ecology. Collaborative NSF-FAPESP projects highlight interdisciplinary efforts in biodiversity and ecosystem connectivity.

• Virtual Reality
• Health Informatics
• Clinical Applications
• +3 more

Alexandra Douglass-Bonner is a researcher at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), specializing in interdisciplinary research across Virtual Reality, Health Informatics, and Environmental Science. Her work emphasizes innovative applications of technology in education, healthcare, and conservation. She has contributed to studies on VR training efficacy in construction, user-driven diabetes management tools for youth, and the role of exergames in clinical and non-clinical settings. Additionally, she has conducted critical reviews on the conservation and trade of medicinal plants under CITES regulations. While her educational background is not explicitly detailed in the provided text, her publications reflect expertise in applied research methodologies. Her research interests are broad and impactful, focusing on leveraging technology to address challenges in education, healthcare, and environmental policy. Notably, she has explored the intersection of virtual reality with practical training, the development of health applications for patient-centered care, and the sustainable management of threatened plant species. Alexandra’s work demonstrates a commitment to bridging technological innovation with real-world applications. Her contributions include a systematic review of exergame efficacy and collaborative research on medicinal plant trade policies. Though no formal awards are listed, her publications highlight significant contributions to multiple disciplines. She has been involved in research grants such as the R+D Project FKZ 80486003, which focuses on medicinal plant conservation. Alexandra’s work does not mention lab affiliations or specific teams, but her projects suggest collaboration across academic and industry partners.

• Biogeography
• Plant Systematics
• Conservation Genetics
• +5 more

Kristine Bakke Westergaard is an Associate Professor at the Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum. She holds a PhD from UiT The Arctic University of Norway (2010) and has extensive experience from the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), where she remains a scientific advisor. Her research focuses on biogeography, plant systematics, conservation genetics, and invasive species in Arctic, alpine, and boreal ecosystems. Her work integrates field studies, herbarium data, and genetic approaches to address questions about species dispersal, historical biogeography, and conservation strategies. Key projects include phylogenomics of Carex sect. scirpinae, ecological impact assessments of alien species in Norway, and studies on Arctic greening and soil development under climate change. Her publications span topics such as flowering phenology shifts, Arctic invasive species dynamics, and genomic tools for ecological restoration. She collaborates internationally on projects like the Biodiversa-funded Asics initiative (2021–2025) and ETH+ (2021–2025). Her research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining vegetation ecology, bioinformatics, and AI to tackle complex environmental challenges. Education: PhD in Botany (2010), UiT The Arctic University of Norway Roles: Curator of vascular plants at the NTNU University Museum Herbarium TRH Key Projects: Phylogenomics of Carex scirpinae Arctic Greening – Soil Resources (ETH+) Cold Region Invasions (Asics) Her outreach activities include popular science writing and advocacy for Arctic conservation, emphasizing public engagement with environmental issues.

Ulf ArupView profile

Researcher

• Lichen Taxonomy
• Phylogeny
• Biogeography
• +3 more

Ulf Arup is a Researcher affiliated with the Biological Museum at Lund University's Faculty of Science, Department of Biology. His primary roles include Museum Curator and Fire Protection Manager, alongside his research activities in lichen taxonomy and phylogeny. He collaborates internationally on projects involving the Teloschistaceae family and Lecanora genus, focusing on clarifying taxonomy through molecular and morphological methods. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to biodiversity conservation. Research Interests: Lichen taxonomy, biogeography, cryptic speciation, and Fennoscandian mountain lichen flora. Key Projects: Phylogeny of Teloschistaceae (collaboration with Prof. Ulrik Søchting and Patrik Frödén). Recent research highlights include revisions of genera like Marchantiana and Caloplaca, as well as documentation of new species in Sweden. He actively participates in projects such as 'Beyond Curiosity and Wonder: Understanding Museum Stobaeanum,' exploring cultural and natural heritage intersections.

Luiz Felipe Lima Da SilveiraView profile

Associate Professor

• Entomology
• Insect Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• +3 more

Luiz Felipe Lima Da Silveira is an Associate Professor of Biology at Western Carolina University (WCU), specializing in entomology and evolutionary biology. He holds a Ph.D. in Ecology from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (2018) and completed an NSF-funded postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Georgia. His research focuses on firefly systematics, biodiversity, and conservation, particularly in tropical ecosystems like the Atlantic Rainforest. Teaching interests include courses on Biodiversity, Invertebrate Zoology, and Evolution, integrating fieldwork and lab-based research. His work bridges taxonomy, phylogenetics, and ecology, with a focus on firefly diversity across temporal and spatial scales. Recent studies highlight topics such as firefly fossil records, larval morphology, and the impacts of urbanization and light pollution on insect populations. Publications emphasize systematic revisions of firefly genera (e.g., Amydetinae, Scissicauda), phylogenetic analyses, and conservation challenges in tropical biodiversity hotspots. Collaborative projects include cataloging Brazil’s fauna and analyzing antibiotic resistance in wildlife. No scientific awards are listed, but his contributions to firefly systematics and biodiversity conservation are widely recognized in entomological circles. Advising and grant details are not explicitly provided in the text.