Photo by: Justin Zweck

​My research group at the University of New Mexico and the Museum of Southwestern Biology will tackle the complexity of predicting plant evolution under climate change. Theory predicts that variation in life history traits and in gene flow dynamics affects the pace and predictability of evolution. Growing range-wide genomic datasets for multiple species now permit implementing a comparative framework to test this theory.

My lab will also develop a model plant to better understand the trade-offs of weediness across latitudinal, elevational, and urban gradients. The cosmopolitan quickweed or gallant soldier (Galinsoga parviflora) is native to the Andes through northern Mexico and since colonization of the Americas has become widespread globally.  

The MSB Herbarium is fundamental for my research. Museum collections are a repository of ecologically important traits like phenology, resource use, and herbivory. Ancient DNA methods are also facilitating extraction of large range-wide genomic datasets. This data will enrich our understanding of eco-evolutionary dynamics under climate change.

This personal website will soon be replaced with my research group's website 

I believe science is real, love is love, black lives matter, women's rights are human rights, no human is illegal