Lucile McCook

Lucile McCook is a Lecturer and Project Coordinator at the University of Mississippi, where she curates the Pullen Herbarium and serves as an academic advisor.

• B.S. in Horticulture from Louisiana State University (1976)
• M.S. in Biology from the University of New Orleans (1982)
• Ph.D. in Biology from Cornell University (1989)

Her work focuses on plant taxonomy and herbarium management, with specific emphasis on slipper orchids (Phragmipedium), biodiversity databases, and taxonomic literature. She has contributed to digitization efforts via NSF grants for the Pullen Herbarium (2001) and the Consortium of Mississippi Herbaria (2012), integrating regional data into the SERNEC and SEINet portals.

Her publications show a long-term commitment to Angiosperm systematics and scientific data documentation, particularly through annotated checklists and voucher specimen advocacy. She collaborates with networks like iDigBio to enhance accessibility of Southeastern U.S. biodiversity collections, supporting research in ecology, evolution, and conservation.