Overview
We conduct research on broad issues in
evolutionary genetics, and we
are currently addressing questions relating to
the evolution of adaptation, reproductive isolation,
breeding systems, inbreeding depression, and
floral traits in natural plant populations.
Please see our lab web page for more
information.
Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations
Professor of Biology
·
2009 - Present
Biology,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Recent Scholarly Works
The incredible vulnerability that reproduction poses for plant species in a warming world.
Journal article The New phytologist · July 2026 Temperatures are rising globally and threatening the persistence of natural plant populations. Elevated temperatures disrupt gametogenesis, fertilization, and seed filling, often at lower thresholds than those affecting photosynthesis, growth, or survival. ... Full text CiteComparative Analyses of Four Reference Genomes Reveal Exceptional Diversity and Weak Linked Selection in the Yellow Monkeyflower (Mimulus guttatus) Complex.
Journal article Molecular ecology resources · November 2025 Yellow monkeyflowers (Mimulus guttatus complex, Phrymaceae) are a powerful system for studying ecological adaptation, reproductive variation, and genome evolution. To initiate pan-genomics in this group, we present four chromosome-scale assemblies and anno ... Full text CiteThe genetic basis of traits associated with the evolution of serpentine endemism in monkeyflowers.
Journal article Evolution; international journal of organic evolution · January 2024 The floras on chemically and physically challenging soils, such as gypsum, shale, and serpentine, are characterized by narrowly endemic species. The evolution of edaphic endemics may be facilitated or constrained by genetic correlations among traits contri ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Genetics and Genomics Training Grant
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2026 - 2031R2 [Reciprocal Relationships]: Mentorships to Strengthen and Sustain STEM Teachers
Inst. Training Prgm or CMECo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2020 - 2026Collaborative Research: RoL: Rapid Evolution of Reproductive Isolation via Hybrid Seed Lethality in Mimulus
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2019 - 2025View All Grants
Education
The University of Chicago ·
1991
Ph.D.