Last updated: November 10, 2025
CURRENT RESEARCH
I am interested in how plants evolve and diversify, focusing on the genomic processes that give rise to new traits. My research asks how evolutionary histories, including events such as polyploidy, hybridization, and convergent evolution, shape the ecological success and innovation of species. By combining systematics, phylogenomics, and comparative genomics, I investigate when and where traits emerge across lineages and uncover the molecular mechanisms behind them. This work not only deepens our understanding of plant evolution but also produces datasets, resources, and tools with direct applications in biodiversity science, conservation, and agriculture. I approach these questions through several ongoing projects, ranging from phylogenomic studies of trait evolution to comparative analyses of genome structure across angiosperms, some of which are detailed below.
Functional trait-tradeoffs in Bromeliaceae
​​Plants face tradeoffs in how they allocate resources for growth and survival. Most research on this framework has focused on C3 species, overlooking the diversity of photosynthetic pathways. Bromeliads, with their wide range of growth forms and repeated evolution of CAM photosynthesis, provide a powerful system to test how photosynthetic pathway influences resource-use strategies.
To examine how C3 and CAM bromeliads respond to nitrogen limitation, we (Univ. Connecticut, Colorado College, NYBG) are conducting a genomic and eco-phys study focusing on the growth, reproduction, and impacts on nutrient cycling across Bromeliaceae. By linking molecular responses to ecological outcomes, this work reveals how photosynthesis shapes trait tradeoffs and ecosystem processes.
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Images: Low (left) and high (right) N treatment of Fosterella (Bromeliaceae)
Comparative genomics of the capitulum across Asterales
Asteraceae is one of the largest families of angiosperms—with almost 35,000 species—and far surpasses that of related families in the MGCA clade of Asterales, including Menyanthaceae (60 species), Goodeniaceae (430 species), and Calyceraceae (47 species). This remarkable diversity stems from a complex evolutionary history shaped by whole genome duplications (WGDs), hybridization, introgression, and shifts in diversification rates. Additionally, one key morphological feature, the capitulum inflorescence, is hypothesized to have contributed to its ecological and evolutionary success. As a result, Asteraceae provides a powerful system for studying the genomic and evolutionary mechanisms driving trait development.
To investigate the genomic factors underpinning Asteraceae’s diversification and success, we (Univ. Memphis, Clemson Univ., and Univ. Georgia) are conducting a comparative genomic study within the MGCA clade of Asterales. Results from this study will provide critical insights into the genomic innovations that contributed to Asteraceae’s ecological success and offer a foundation for future research goals and applications on trait evolution, speciation, and biodiversity.​
New sunflower-family probe set: 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.
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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, with 40% of Packera taxa exhibiting polyploidy, aneuploidy, and other cytological disturbances. Given this, I am interested in 1) gaining a better understanding of this complex genus by studying the systematics and phylogenomics of Packera, and 2) investigating underlying phylogenomic discordance caused by biological processes such as hybridization, introgression, and polyploidy.
Findings from these studies highlight the profound impact of orthology inference and paralog processing on phylogenomic analyses, particularly in polyploid-rich groups such as Packera. By accounting for these factors, we can begin to improve the accuracy of evolutionary reconstructions and gain deeper insights into the complex history of plant diversification.​
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.​