Jeannette Whitton

Dr. Jeannette Whitton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Botany at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Faculty of Science. Her research focuses on plant evolutionary biology, speciation, and polyploid evolution, with a particular emphasis on understanding the genetic and ecological mechanisms driving biodiversity. She leads the Whitton Lab, investigating systems like the sunflower family (Asteraceae), including the Townsendia and Crepis agamic complexes, to explore questions about species integrity, polyploidy, and reproductive strategies.

Academic History: B.Sc. in Environmental Biology from McGill University (1988), Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Connecticut (1994), and postdoctoral research at Indiana University (1994–1997).

Research Interests: Dr. Whitton studies population genetics, phylogenetics, and speciation processes. Her work examines how polyploidy and asexual reproduction (apomixis) influence species diversification, particularly in response to environmental pressures. Key projects include analyzing the Rocky Mountain Townsendia genus, the North American Crepis agamic complex, and invasive plant species' genetic traits.

Grants and Collaboration: Collaborates with researchers like Loren Rieseberg and Sally Otto on projects funded by UBC's Excellence Funds. Advises graduate students (Chris Sears, Chris Lee, Jamie Leathem) and undergraduate researchers. Her lab combines fieldwork, molecular genetics, and phylogenetic analysis to address evolutionary questions.

Labs/Teams: Whitton Lab focuses on evolutionary ecology, conservation biology, and plant systematics. Recent projects include common garden experiments for Townsendia hookeri and studies on invasive plant traits in Yukon.