Last updated: September 11, 2024
CURRENT RESEARCH
Comparative genomics of the capitulum
A collaborative NSF-funded project across three institutions (University of Memphis, Auburn University, and University of Georgia) that integrates comparative genomic and transcriptomic approaches with evolutionary and functional analyses to decipher the molecular basis of the sunflower inflorescence. This research will use the latest genomic technologies to discover the genes that control how the sunflower head inflorescence, or capitulum, develops and evolved.
Stay tuned for updates!
Compositae-ParaLoss-1272
Probe sets have been designed to broadly target gymnosperms, angiosperms, or specific plant families, enabling great advances in our understanding of evolutionary relationships in large plant groups. The Asteraceae specific probe set, Compositae-1061, is popular among researchers studying members of Asteraceae, and has paved the way for investigations at lower taxonomic levels and non-model organisms. Though Compositae-1061 has shown to be highly efficient at higher- and some lower-taxonomic levels within the family, it generally lacks resolution at the genus to species level, especially in groups with complex evolutionary histories including polyploidy and hybridization. Given this, we developed a new Hyb-Seq probe set, Compositae-ParaLoss-1272, designed to target known single-copy orthologs in Asteraceae. We found that Compositae-ParaLoss-1272 recovers drastically less paralogous sequences than Compositae-1061 and that discordance was lower overall.
If interested, the Compositae-ParaLoss-1272 probe set can be purchased through Daicel Arbor Biosciences.
Phylogenomics and Systematics of Packera (Asteraceae)
The genus Packera comprises 64 species and varieties endemic to North America, though the number is constantly changing with the description of new species and varieties or from splitting/lumping. Taxonomy within Packera remains complex due to geohistorical events during its evolution, rampant hybridization and introgression, and a high incidence of polyploidy. Therefore, I am interested in gaining a better understanding of this complex genus by studying the systematics and phylogenomics of Packera as well as investigate underlying phylogenomic discordance caused by biological processes such as hybridization, introgression, and polyploidy.
Relevant preprints:
Conservation genetics of Helianthus verticillatus (Asteraceae)
Determining population genetic structure of isolated or fragmented species is of critical importance when planning a conservation strategy. Knowledge of the genetic composition and differentiation among populations of a rare or threatened species can aid conservation managers in understanding how, and which, populations to protect.
The whorled sunflower, Helianthus verticillatus (Asteraceae), is a federally endangered sunflower species endemic to the southeastern United States. The distribution of the species comprises four known populations within three states: Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia. Recently, new populations were discovered in Marshall County, Mississippi, and Franklin County, Virginia. Our results indicate these new populations are worthy of protection and conservation efforts given the unique genetic variation they harbor.
Relevant publications: