Angiosperm Evolution Professors and Supervisors

Marc Gottschlingمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

Ludwig Maximilian University of MunichGermany

Prof. Dr. Marc Gottschling is a Professor and Academic Director at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), Faculty of Biology, where he leads the research group on Systematics, Biodiversity and Evolution of Plants. His interdisciplinary research integrates phylogenetics, microscopy, and molecular biology to study evolutionary mechanisms in diverse organisms including flowering plants (Boraginales), dinophytes, and papillomaviruses. Education: Completed his PhD at Freie Universität Berlin in 2003 with a thesis on Boraginales phylogenetics, followed by habilitation in 2008 comparing diversification patterns across plants, dinophytes, and viruses. Research Focus: Gottschling's work centers on evolutionary scenarios using DNA sequencing, electron microscopy, and taxonomy. Key areas include: Phylogenetic systematics of Boraginales and dinophytes Co-evolution of papillomaviruses with vertebrate hosts Taxonomic clarification using molecular and morphological data Biodiversity assessment in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems Publication Trends: His recent articles (2021-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on dinophyte taxonomy, novel species descriptions, and evolutionary mechanisms. Key themes include molecular phylogenetics of microalgae, taxonomic revisions using epitypification, and spatial distribution of symbiotic associations. Earlier work (pre-2020) extensively covers papillomavirus evolution and Boraginales systematics. Laboratory & Teams: Leads a research group at LMU Munich studying dinophyte biodiversity and plant evolution. Current members include Paula Lehner, Hemingway Nyoka, and Büsra Sahin, with technical support from Stephanie Kruchen.

پروفایل رسمی دانشگاه

Claude Walker Depamphilisمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

Pennsylvania State UniversityUnited States

Claude Walker Depamphilis is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Penn State University. His research focuses on plant genomics, parasitic plants, evolutionary biology, and molecular genetics, with significant contributions to understanding host-parasite interactions and plant immunity. Recent work includes studies on Theobroma cacao defense mechanisms against pathogens, plastome evolution in parasitic plants like Cuscuta and Convolvulaceae, and the development of gene atlases for crop resilience. He leads or collaborates on NSF-funded projects related to parasitic plant genomics, cacao immunity, and herbarium digitization. Key research trends: Genomic adaptations in parasitic plants (e.g., gene loss, plastome reduction) Host-specific responses in agricultural pests Transcriptomic analysis of cacao development and disease resistance Evolutionary mechanisms in plant genomes Grants & Projects include NSF funding for studies on parasitic plant genomes, plant immunity in perennial crops, and digitization of the Penn State Herbarium to contextualize ecological changes in the Mid-Atlantic region.

پروفایل رسمی دانشگاه

Daniele Silvestroمشاهده پروفایل

پژوهشگر

ETH ZurichSwitzerland

Daniele Silvestro is a researcher at ETH Zürich's Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, working within the Computational Evolution group based in Basel, Switzerland. His research spans evolutionary biology, computational methods, and biodiversity science, with a focus on developing and applying novel analytical approaches to understand macroevolutionary patterns. Dr. Silvestro's research interests center on evolutionary biology and computational approaches to understanding biodiversity patterns through time. His work bridges micro- and macroevolutionary scales, with particular emphasis on phylogenetic methods, speciation processes, and the integration of fossil data with molecular phylogenies. He applies machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to analyze large-scale biodiversity datasets, addressing questions about species diversification, extinction dynamics, and ecological interactions across deep time. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward computational innovation in evolutionary biology, with increasing integration of artificial intelligence methods to tackle complex questions in biodiversity science. His work spans multiple biological systems, from plant-soil interactions to mammalian evolution, reflecting an interdisciplinary approach that combines theoretical modeling with empirical data analysis. Dr. Silvestro collaborates extensively with researchers across institutions and disciplines, contributing to major initiatives such as the 2030 Declaration on Scientific Plant and Fungal Collecting. His research has significant implications for biodiversity conservation, particularly in understanding how species and ecosystems respond to environmental change. His work on computational methods, including software development like DeepDiveR, demonstrates a commitment to creating practical tools for the broader scientific community. His research group at ETH Zürich appears to focus on developing and applying cutting-edge computational approaches to evolutionary questions, emphasizing the importance of integrating multiple data sources and analytical frameworks.

پروفایل رسمی دانشگاه

James Smithمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

Boise State UniversityUnited States

James Smith is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Boise State University's College of Arts and Sciences, where he has served since 1992. He holds dual roles as Director of the Snake River Plains Herbarium (a 50,000-specimen research collection) and PhD EEB Graduate Program Coordinator. His affiliations include collaborations with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Idaho, and Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Smith's research centers on plant systematics and phylogenetics, with emphasis on: Resolving taxonomic complexities in Apiaceae (Lomatium, Cymopterus) using next-gen sequencing and morphology Evolution of floral symmetry and speciation mechanisms in Gesneriaceae (Columnea) Global phylogenetics of Piperaceae, focusing on neotropical diversification His 15 most recent publications (2015–2019) reveal a focus on: Species delimitation in North American Apiaceae through integrative taxonomy Phylogenomic studies of Gesneriaceae hybridization and speciation Angiosperm evolution and fossil calibration controversies Smith mentors graduate students like Michael Ottenlips and co-leads a 2019 NSF grant exploring Apiaceae phylogeny. He oversees herbarium operations that facilitate regional biodiversity research and educational forays.

پروفایل رسمی دانشگاه

Jaakko Hyvönenمشاهده پروفایل

پژوهشگر

University of HelsinkiFinland

Dr. Jaakko Hyvönen is a visiting researcher at the Viikki Plant Science Centre (ViPS) and affiliated with the Finnish Museum of Natural History at the University of Helsinki. His research focuses on bryophyte systematics, plant phylogenetics, and taxonomic conservation , with a particular emphasis on moss evolution and global biodiversity assessment. Research highlights include: Phylogenetic analysis of complex thalloid liverworts using fossil data Global biogeographic patterns in bipolar moss species Chloroplast genome evolution in angiosperms and ferns Advancements in phylogenetic methodologies Dr. Hyvönen has served as a principal investigator in multiple projects, including lectotypification of Polytrichum commune and Antarctic moss presence studies. He has supervised doctoral research and contributed extensively to peer-reviewed publications (84 total), book chapters, and international collaborations.

پروفایل رسمی دانشگاه

David Taylorمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

Indiana UniversityUnited States

Dr. David Taylor is a Professor of Biology and Professor of Sustainability & Regeneration at Indiana University Southeast, where he also serves as Curator of the Herbarium. His office is located in LF-314, and he can be contacted via email (dwtaylo2@iu.edu) or phone (+1-812-941-2377). He earned his Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Connecticut, Storrs. His research integrates evolutionary botany, paleobiology, and environmental science. Key projects include: Investigating the origin of the geological biomarker oleanane through plant specimen analysis Reconstructing water lily (Nymphaeales) phylogeny using molecular and morphological data Leading local sustainability initiatives targeting invasive species Broad research interests encompass: Angiosperm evolution and fossil relationships Paleobiological geochemistry (carbon isotopes) Plant-pollinator coevolution Experimental morphogenetic analysis Dr. Taylor actively mentors students in field and lab research, employing Project-Based Learning and flipped classroom techniques in his teaching. He has authored over 40 scientific publications.

پروفایل رسمی دانشگاه

Marcel Bucherمشاهده پروفایل

استاد

Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding ResearchGermany

Prof. Dr. Marcel Bucher serves as a Professor at the Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Cologne, leading research on plant-microbe symbiotic interactions. His laboratory investigates molecular mechanisms of nutrient exchange in arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis (AMS) between land plants and Glomeromycotina fungi, with emphasis on phosphorus-carbon trade dynamics. Research focuses on Molecular basis of root-microbiome dialogues under environmental stress Regulation of mycorrhiza-specific phosphate transporters Evolutionary origins of plant-fungal mutualism Metabolic networks in root-associated microbiota His work spans from algae to angiosperms using genomic, physiological, and synthetic biology approaches. Publication analysis reveals consistent focus on symbiotic nutrient exchange mechanisms across diverse plant systems, with recent emphasis on kinase signaling (2023), evolutionary lipid exchanges (2021), and transcriptional regulation (2018). Key recurring themes include phosphorus metabolism, mycorrhizal interface biology, and climate adaptation strategies. Professor Bucher actively promotes diversity and inclusion in Plant Sciences, dismantling barriers through bias awareness and stereotype challenges. His lab fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to train next-generation scientists in sustainable ecosystem management. The Bucher Lab operates within Cologne's Biocenter, utilizing advanced facilities including Plant Metabolism and Metabolomics platforms, Imaging Platform, and CEPLAS Data infrastructure. Research integrates field studies with controlled environment experiments to address climate change impacts on plant-root ecosystems.

پروفایل رسمی دانشگاه

Michael Krabbe Borregaardمشاهده پروفایل

دانشیار

University of CopenhagenDenmark

Michael Krabbe Borregaard is an Associate Professor at the Globe Institute's Section for Biodiversity, University of Copenhagen. He holds a PhD in Ecology and M.Sc. in Biology. His research group investigates how Earth dynamics influence ecological and evolutionary processes, specializing in island and mountain ecosystems as biodiversity hotspots. Primary research interests include: Range size distributions in macroecology Anthropogenic extinction drivers on islands Eco-evolutionary dynamics in fragmented landscapes Global biodiversity patterns and conservation Integration of molecular approaches in biogeography His publications focus on macroecological patterns, island biogeography, extinction dynamics, and computational tools for ecology. Recent work includes global floristic mapping, plant-frugivore networks, and phylogenetic studies of plant radiations. Engagements include climate advocacy in higher education and media contributions on ecological topics. He coordinates the Macroecology research group and maintains active collaborations across biogeography and conservation networks.

پروفایل رسمی دانشگاه