Jill Miller

Dr. Jill Miller is a Professor of Biology at Amherst College, specializing in the ecology and evolution of plant reproductive systems. Her research focuses on mechanisms promoting outcrossing, such as separate sexes and self-incompatibility systems, using the genus Lycium as a model. She holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona (2000), an M.Sc. from the same institution (1997), and a B.A. in Biology from Colorado College (1992).

Her work integrates phylogenetics, population genetics, and field studies to explore topics like hybridization's impact on speciation, floral morphology evolution, and plant architecture's role in reproductive strategies. Key projects include studying Lycium's cosmopolitan distribution, ploidy levels, and reproductive diversity. Miller's lab collaborates with institutions like the University of Massachusetts Amherst and has received NSF and Amherst College grants.

Teaching interests span evolutionary biology, plant sexual diversity, and environmental studies. She advises Biology and Environmental Studies majors, emphasizing research opportunities and thesis guidance. Her research has resulted in over 30 peer-reviewed publications and involves numerous student collaborators.