CAREER: Characterizing reproductive isolation within the Hawaiian Metrosideros species complex

物种的起源仍然是生物学中一个特别困难的问题，因为对不同种群之间产生生殖障碍的过程仍然知之甚少。该项目将通过研究Metrosideros中生殖障碍的性质来促进对不同热带植物类群起源的理解，Metrosideros是一种高度多样化的热带森林树木属，其分歧和隔离程度各不相同。 该项目将整合分子遗传学方法和田间实验，以确定在自然杂交率不同的地点共现类群之间的杂交的合子前和合子后障碍的性质和程度。 这项研究将深入了解长寿森林树木的物种形成过程，这是一个直接或间接负责热带森林生态系统高度多样性的群体。这个职业生涯项目整合了研究和教育，以促进美国文化最多样化的地区之一的各级教育管道的科学素养和技能该项目将吸引来自STEM管道中代表性不足的群体的学生，这将扩大这些人的职业选择，同时有助于促进科学和技术劳动力的多样性。该项目包括开发研究生和本科生课程，包括真实的研究经验，指导本科生和研究生，并推广到K-12教师和学生。

The origin of species remains an especially difficult problem in biology because the processes through which reproductive barriers arise between diverging populations remain poorly understood. This project will advance understanding of the origins of diverse tropical plant taxa through study of the nature of reproductive barriers in Metrosideros, a highly diverse genus of tropical forest trees that vary in their degree of divergence and isolation. This project will integrate molecular genetic methods and field experiments to determine the nature and degree of pre- and post-zygotic barriers to hybridization between co-occurring taxa at sites that vary in rates of natural hybridization. This research will provide insight into the speciation process in long-lived forest trees, a group that is responsible, directly or indirectly, for much of the high diversity of tropical forest ecosystems. This CAREER project integrates research and education to promote scientific literacy and skills at all levels of the education pipeline in one of the most culturally diverse regions of the U.S. The project will engage students from underrepresented groups in the STEM pipeline, which will broaden the career choices for these individuals while helping to advance the diversity of the science and technology workforce. The project includes development of graduate and undergraduate courses that include authentic research experiences, mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students, and outreach to K-12 teachers and students.