The lab, Fall 2025. From left to right: Pam, David, Clara, Noah, Savannah, and Erica. The lab's pet is Pedro, an inflatable llama :)

Welcome!

Research in the lab spans different areas in evolution, classical taxonomy, and genomics. We work mostly with plants, and some insect pollinators. Some examples of ongoing projects include: the factors that influence rapid species diversification of wild thyme in the Canary Islands; species delimitation in the Andean genus Calceolaria; and studying plant-arthropod interactions using tools such as metabarcoding and environmental DNA.

We are also actively involved in herbarium-based research and curation. The Marshall University Herbarium is the second largest in the state and serves as a vital resource for biodiversity studies, conservation, and education.

We welcome student involvement in both lab and herbarium projects. Opportunities are available for volunteering, independent studies, capstone projects, and more. We are always looking for motivated students to join our team and contribute to ongoing research and collection efforts.