Michael Lee Moody

Michael Lee Moody is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso, where he directs the UTEP Herbarium. His research focuses on plant evolution across multiple scales, integrating Molecular Ecology, Comparative Transcriptomics, and Population Genomics to study Biological Invasions, Systematics, and Conservation Genetics.

• Research Themes: Local adaptation in Arctic plants, hybrid speciation in invasive taxa, phylogenetic analysis using herbarium specimens, and climate change impacts on phenology.
• Key Species: Eriophorum vaginatum (tussock cottongrass), Myriophyllum (watermilfoil), and desert plants from the Chihuahuan and Australian ecosystems.
• Techniques: Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), RADseq, bioinformatics, phylogenetic analysis, and field-based population genomics.

Recent publications highlight his work on genomic responses to climate change in Arctic sedges, phylogenetic conflicts in aquatic plants, and herbarium-based systematics. His lab also emphasizes landscape-level genetic barriers and candidate gene identification for ecological adaptation.

Advising:

• Elizabeth Stunz: PhD candidate studying population genomics of Arctic plants.
• Christopher Munoz: Focused on Chihuahuan Desert plant phylogenomics.
• Luis Pallares-Solano: Investigating ecotypic adaptations in Arctic sedges.
• Carmen Webster: Completed MS in transcriptomics of Eriophorum vaginatum and now pursuing PhD at Arizona State University.