Research Initiation Award: A model plant group to study the evolution of diverse reproductive systems

历史黑人学院和大学-本科项目(HBCU-UP)研究启动奖(RIA)为HBCU的STEM初级教员提供支持，他们开始建立研究项目，以及为职业生涯中期可能在担任行政职位后重返教职队伍或需要重新定向和重建研究项目的教师提供支持。教职员工可以在他们的家乡机构、NSF资助的中心、研究密集型机构或国家实验室进行研究。RIA项目有望帮助教师进一步提高研究能力和效率，改善其所在机构的研究和教学，并让本科生参与研究体验。在国家科学基金会的支持下，霍华德大学将进行研究，以调查植物生殖系统的进化和起源。该项目将加强国际和平研究所的研究能力以及霍华德大学的教与学。本科生将受益于与大学和国家自然历史博物馆(NMNH)合作伙伴的合作，以及植物科学方面的研究经验和培训。该项目有可能成为增加植物科学领域非裔美国人数量的典范，并通过在学生职业生涯早期吸引学生来支持国家建立强大的STEM劳动力队伍的努力。这项拟议研究的目的是以鲁梅克斯为模型，研究植物生殖系统的进化和起源。具体目标是：1)确定属内不同生殖系统的发生，2)形成这些生殖系统进化的系统发育假说，3)根据系统发育数据修改属下分类。该项目将对鲁梅克斯的一个大属进行全球、全面的研究。这项研究的发现将包括一份样本充足、健壮的鲁梅克斯属的系统发育图。系统发育的基础将允许检验进化假说和重建特征。此外，系统发育框架将为检验众多亚属分类系统的单一性和检验对分离属识别的支持程度提供参考。全球方法将为鲁梅克斯提供一个分类学和命名参考。该项目将与史密森学会国家自然历史博物馆(NMNH)合作进行。

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities-Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) Research Initiation Awards (RIAs) provide support to STEM junior faculty at HBCUs who are starting to build a research program, as well as for mid-career faculty who may have returned to the faculty ranks after holding an administrative post or who need to redirect and rebuild a research program. Faculty members may pursue research at their home institution, at an NSF-funded Center, at a research intensive institution or at a national laboratory. The RIA projects are expected to help further the faculty member's research capability and effectiveness, to improve research and teaching at his or her home institution, and to involve undergraduate students in research experiences. With support from the National Science Foundation, Howard University will conduct research to investigate the evolution and origin of reproductive systems in plants. The project will enhance the research capabilities of the PI as well as teaching and learning at Howard University. Undergraduate students will benefit from the collaborations with university and National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) partners and the research experiences and training in plant sciences. The project has the potential to be a model for increasing the number of African Americans in plant sciences and support the nation's efforts in building a robust STEM workforce by engaging students early in their career. The aim of the proposed study is to investigate the evolution and origin of reproductive systems in plants, using Rumex as a model. Specific objectives are to: 1) determine the occurrence of different reproductive systems within the genus, 2) form a phylogenetic hypothesis of the evolution of these reproductive systems, and 3) revise infrageneric classification based on phylogenetic data. The project will undertake a global, comprehensive study of one large genus, Rumex. Findings from this study will include a well-sampled, robust phylogeny for the genus Rumex. A phylogenetic basis will allow for testing of evolutionary hypotheses and character reconstruction. In addition, a phylogenetic framework will provide a reference to test the monophyly of numerous subgeneric classification systems, and test the support for recognition of segregate genera. The global approach will produce a taxonomic and nomenclatural reference for Rumex. This project will be conducted in collaboration with Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History (NMNH).