Leslie R. Goertzen

Leslie R. Goertzen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University, where he also serves as the Director of the John D. Freeman Herbarium within the Auburn University Museum of Natural History. He is actively engaged in teaching and research in plant evolutionary biology and genomics.

Education:

• PhD — University of Texas, 2001
• MSc — University of British Columbia, 1996
• BSc — Université d'Ottawa, 1992

His research lies at the intersection of plant evolutionary biology, phylogenetics, molecular evolution, and genomics, with a strong emphasis on systematic botany and computational approaches. His work integrates genomic data to understand evolutionary patterns in plants, particularly polyploid species, and contributes to floristic documentation in regional ecosystems.

The recent publications reflect a dual focus: one on computational genomics and subgenome dynamics in crops like finger millet, and another on field-based floristic inventory and biodiversity assessment in Alabama’s natural areas. This indicates a blend of molecular and field botany in his scholarly output.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards listed in the provided text.

Dr. Goertzen advises students in plant systematics and genomics, though specific advisees are not named. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses including Systematic Botany (BIOL5120) and Computational Biology Colloquium (BIOL7970). There is no mention of external grants in the provided text. His leadership of the herbarium highlights his role in curating and preserving plant biodiversity collections.

He is associated with the John D. Freeman Herbarium at the Auburn University Museum of Natural History, which supports research and education in plant taxonomy and regional flora. This institutional role underscores his commitment to both research infrastructure and botanical curation.