Evolution of plant reproductive & genetic systems

理解控制生殖和遗传系统转变的进化过程被认为是进化生物学的一个中心问题。此外，植物繁殖知识对植物育种和生物技术、保护科学和入侵生物学的进步是必要的。我研究的总体目标有两个：确定植物生殖多样性的机制，并展示入侵物种的当代进化，特别是生殖特征的变化和当地适应的发展。为了实现这一目标，我的实验室利用了在特定草本植物群体中明显的生殖和遗传系统的惊人种内变异，以及高调植物入侵的目标案例。为此，我们整合了理论发展、比较生物学、功能生态学和进化基因组学的工具。

Understanding the evolutionary processes governing transitions in reproductive and genetic systems is recognized as a central problem in evolutionary biology. Moreover, knowledge of plant reproduction is necessary for advances in plant breeding and biotechnology, conservation science and invasion biology. The overall goals of my research are twofold: to determine the mechanisms responsible for plant reproductive diversity, and to demonstrate contemporary evolution in invasive species, particularly changes to reproductive traits and the development of local adaptation. To achieve this, my laboratory exploits the striking intra-specific variation in reproductive and genetic systems evident in particular herbaceous plant groups, as well as targeted cases of high profile plant invasions. To do this we integrate theory development, comparative biology, functional ecology, and the tools of evolutionary genomics.