Jill Hamilton

Jill Hamilton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at The Pennsylvania State University, where she conducts research at the interface of genomics, evolutionary biology, and ecological restoration. She is affiliated with the Institute of Energy and the Environment (IEE) as an Affiliate Researcher, contributing to interdisciplinary efforts addressing climate change and biodiversity conservation.

Her research focuses on understanding the genetic basis of adaptation, hybridization, and dispersal in perennial plant systems such as Torrey pine, Oregon ash, and Prairie Smoke. Using advanced genomic and transcriptomic tools, she investigates how plant populations respond to environmental stressors and climate change, with direct applications to conservation and restoration strategies.

The trends in her recent publications highlight a strong emphasis on landscape genomics, conservation policy (e.g., integrating genetic data into IUCN Red List assessments), seed sourcing for climate-resilient ecosystems, and the role of hybridization in adaptation. Her work bridges fundamental evolutionary questions with practical conservation outcomes.

• Conservation Genetics
• Genomics
• Evolutionary Biology
• Ecological Restoration
• Climate Change Adaptation
• Plant Population Genetics

Scientific Awards:

No specific awards are mentioned in the provided text.

Advising and Grants:
Jill Hamilton collaborates extensively on federally and institutionally supported research initiatives, particularly in forest genetics and climate adaptation. While no explicit list of grants or students is provided, her co-authorship with early-career researchers and involvement in large collaborative projects suggest active mentorship and grant-funded research. She contributes to national conversations on assisted migration and genomic monitoring of threatened species.

Labs and Teams:
Dr. Hamilton is part of the IEE Research Themes on Climate and Natural Systems at Penn State. She collaborates with researchers across the U.S. and internationally on topics including forest genetics, assisted migration, and conservation genomics. Her lab likely supports graduate students and postdoctoral researchers focused on plant evolutionary ecology and conservation applications.